Press Release from Lionsgate
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), the leading next generation studio, announced today that it has acquired worldwide distribution rights to BURST 3D, a horror/thriller to be produced by Ghost House Pictures. Neil Marshall, who wrote and directed Lionsgate's 2006 horror success THE DESCENT, will direct. Ghost House partners Sam Raimi (DRAG ME TO HELL, the SPIDER-MAN series) and Rob Tapert (DRAG ME TO HELL, THE GRUDGE) will produce and Nathan Kahane (DRAG ME TO HELL, THE GRUDGE) will executive produce. Tendo Nagenda and J.R. Young will oversee the project for Ghost House. The screenplay is written by Gary Dauberman. The announcement was jointly made today by Joe Drake, Lionsgate Co-Chief Operating Officer and Motion Picture Group President, Mike Paseornek, Lionsgate President of Motion Picture Production, and Ghost House's Tapert and Kahane.
The collaboration between Lionsgate and Ghost House reflects the strength of longstanding professional and creative relationships within the two entities. Lionsgate's Drake was an original founder with Raimi, Tapert and Kahane of Ghost House, and BURST 3D marks the first Ghost House production to be distributed through Lionsgate since Drake assumed his present post in 2007.
The deal also represents Lionsgate's ongoing leadership in the 3D arena. The studio was the first to apply next-generation 3D technology to the horror genre with its critical and box office success MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D, released January 16th of this year.
Said Paseornek, "We are thrilled to be working again with Neil Marshall, a modern master of horror, suspense and action. With Neil at the helm of BURST 3D, horror fans are guaranteed one of the most terrifying and innovative experiences of their moviegoing lives."
Said Tapert, "Mike Paseornek and the Lionsgate team are leaders in the horror space. This, along with the opportunity to work closely with Joe again, were motivating factors in our desire to partner with Lionsgate on BURST 3D. We hope to continue the partnership with Lionsgate on other projects like this." (TBC)
The deal was negotiated for Lionsgate by Wendy Jaffe, Executive Vice President Business & Legal Affairs, Acquisitions and Co-Productions; and by attorney Craig Jacobson on behalf of Ghost House. The director deal was made by Rob McEntegart for Ghost House and by Marc Helwig of Paradigm and attorney Carlos Goodman for the director. Sam Raimi is represented by CAA. Neil Marshall is represented by Marc Helwig of Paradigm. Gary Dauberman is represented by International Creative Management and managed by Circle of Confusion.
SYNOPSIS
A group of stranded travelers meet during a blizzard and are stalked by a malevolent force that makes people spontaneously combust.
ABOUT GHOST HOUSE PICTURES
Ghost House Pictures was formed as a joint venture between filmmakers Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, Nathan Kahane and Joe Drake creating a production label dedicated to the financing, development and release of films in the horror thriller genre. The company has achieved success with five consecutive #1 releases, starting with the 2004 remake of THE GRUDGE, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, which has grossed $188 million worldwide; THE GRUDGE 2, which opened at number one in October 2006; Stephen T. Kay's Boogeyman, starring Barry Watson, The Messengers, from acclaimed filmmakers Oxide and Danny Pang (THE EYE), which was released in February 2007; and David Slade's 30 DAYS OF NIGHT, an adaptation of the popular comic about vampires descending on an Alaskan town. Most recently, Universal Pictures released DRAG ME TO HELL in May 2009. The film, which was written and directed by Sam Raimi, stars Alison Lohman and Justin Long.
ABOUT LIONSGATE
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) is the leading next generation studio with a strong and diversified presence in the production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, video-on-demand and digitally delivered content. The Company has built a strong television presence in production of prime time cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming through Debmar-Mercury and an array of channel platform assets, including TV Guide Network in partnership with JPMorgan's One Equity Partners and Allen Shapiro, the Epix multiplatform channel expected to launch in October 2009 with partners Viacom and MGM, the FEARnet branded horror channel with partners Comcast and Sony, and the KIX and Thrill branded action and horror channels in Asia. Its feature film business achieved a number one box office opening weekend in September 2009 with the eighth film in the Tyler Perry franchise, I CAN DO BAD ALL BY MYSELF, with the sixth film in the Saw franchise opening in October 2009. The Company's home entertainment business has grown to more than 7% market share and leads the industry in its box office-to-DVD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 12,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand remains synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.
www.lionsgate.com