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Devastating news: MGM and United Artists Releasing distribution boss Erik Lomis died suddenly Wednesday at his home in Santa Monica, we have learned from sources. No details were provided in regards to his death. He was 64.

Lomis was a towering figure behind many filmmakers’ hits including those from Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam McKay, Sylvester Stallone, Ryan Coogler, David O. Russell, Lee Daniels and Tom Hooper to name a few, and most recently Michael B. Jordan with Creed III.

Related: Erik Lomis Remembered By Hollywood Colleagues And Friends: “A Part Of The Industry Has Died With Him Today”, Barbara Broccoli Says

In the wake of Amazon’s purchase of MGM, Lomis, who made the jump, becoming an entrusted consigliere to Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke as the streamer looks to capitalize on more big-screen hits.

Lomis gave Amazon a big taste of the box office with its first theatrical hit Creed III,...

Santa Monica-based mini-studio Lionsgate has struck a deal with Canada’s Cineplex Pictures that will see Lionsgate’s 2023 theatrical slate released in Canadian cinemas.

The lineup spans 11 feature films over the course of the year, of which three release in the first quarter: “Plane,” starring Gerard Butler and Mike Colter; “Jesus Revolution,” starring Kelsey Grammer; and the highly anticipated “John Wick: Chapter 4,” starring Keanu Reeves.

The full 2023 slate also includes: “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” “About My Father,” “The Blackening,” an untitled Adele Lim comedy, “White Bird: A Wonder Story,” “The Expendables 4,” the next installment of the “Saw” horror franchise, and “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” the prequel to the multibillion dollar “Hunger Games” franchise.

Cineplex Pictures is the genre film releasing subsidiary of the Cineplex stock market-listed Cineplex conglomerate that also includes some 170 cinemas. Its recent releases included “The Good House,...

The deal will cover 11 titles from Lionsgate’s 2023 slate, including John Wick: Chapter 4.

Lionsgate has signed a theatrical distribution for Canada with Cineplex Pictures that will see the distributor releasing eleven films from Lionsgate’s 2023 slate.

Among the titles Cineplex will bring to Canadian cinemas under the deal during the first quarter of the year are Gerard Butler action thriller Plane, Kelsey Grammer drama Jesus Revolution and John Wick: Chapter 4, with Keanu Reeves in the latest installment of Lionsgate’s action franchise.

On the slate for later in the year are Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, About My Father,...

Lionsgate has entered into a theatrical distribution agreement with Canada’s Cineplex Pictures for its 2023 slate which counts 11 titles.

Starting with Gerard Butler’s Plane on Jan. 13, Cineplex Pictures will release throughout Canada such movies as Jesus Revolution starring Kelsey Grammer and John Wick: Chapter 4 starring Keanu Reeves. There’s also Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, About My Father, The Blackening, the untitled Adele Lim comedy, White Bird: A Wonder Story, The Expendables 4, the next installment of the billion-dollar box office Saw franchise and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

“We’re delighted to expand our collaboration with our partners at Cineplex in this key theatrical market,” said Lionsgate President of Worldwide Theatrical Distribution David Spitz. “With Cineplex’s name recognition, distribution prowess and expertise in the Canadian marketplace, our slate is in great hands in Canada.”

“Cineplex has a longstanding relationship...

Refresh for updates If there’s a continuing motif among studios presentations at CinemaCon this year, it’s comedians working the exhibition crowd. Lionsgate closed out CinemaCon with Sebastian Maniscalco performing eight minutes of stand-up to huge roars in Caesars Colosseum. He’s here to promote the movie inspired by his life, About My Father. Yesterday, Universal had Billy Eichner, Jo Koy Steve Carell.

“A little tidbit,” said Maniscalco ribbing Lionsgate distribution boss David Spitz after he introduced the studio’s session today, “He was a little nervous backstage that the teleprompter would go dark and he’d be lost up here.”

His set covered everything from his Jewish in-laws, Italians’ approach to food, the line and price at the casino pool, how Hamilton never changed his life, and more.

“I’m watching you milling around the casino, I gotta give it up to you, who decided that the lanyards would be this big?...

To use a football analogy, Lionsgate called a late-stage audible for sports drama “American Underdog,” moving its domestic theatrical premiere to Christmas Day from a congested Dec. 10, the company revealed in its slate presentation Thursday at CinemaCon. Lionsgate was the last distributor to show a product reel at the Las Vegas gathering of cinema operators that ended Thursday.

“American Underdog,” the true-life drama of grocery-store worker turned football superstar Kurt Warner, received a Lionsgate marketing blitz with posters plastered across CinemaCon. Full-sized autographed footballs emblazoned with the film’s title were passed out in a promotion. Since it is an inspirational drama, “this movie perfectly aligns with the emotions of the holiday season: The power of faith,” Joe Drake, Chair of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, said in his in-person remarks. Warner and actor Zachary Levi, who portrays Warner, delivered recorded comments.

Nicolas Cage’s Hollywood satire “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent...

The revival of the “Saw” franchise with “Spiral” has allowed the gory horror series to hit a major milestone: $1 billion in lifetime grosses.

The milestone was hit this weekend when “Spiral” added $4.5 million in its second weekend in U.S. theaters, along with $2.6 million from overseas markets. Starring Chris Rock, Samuel L. Jackson and Max Minghella, “Spiral” is the ninth film in the “Saw” series and has a global total so far of $22.5 million.

“We congratulate our friends at Twisted Pictures and all of the filmmakers and stars who have been a part of the Saw legacy,” David Spitz, Lionsgate’s President of domestic theatrical distribution, said. “Over the years, our partners have been innovative, creative, and open to new ideas as they have nurtured a microbudget film into a billion-dollar-plus-grossing cultural phenomenon.”

“Saw” began its life as 2003 short film by series creators James Wan and Leigh Whannell that served...

In a scary-good box office milestone, the stomach-churning “Saw” franchise has surpassed $1 billion in worldwide ticket sales.

“Spiral,” the lastest entry in the horror series, earned another $4.5 million in North America and $2.67 million overseas this weekend. That haul pushed the property to $1,000,799,533 globally across nine films.

It’s a significant achievement because the “Saw” movies carry modest production budgets — ranging from $1 million to $20 million — making profit margins all the sweeter. Even more notable, the “Saw” films aren’t particularly well received among critics or audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, the nine films usually generate an average around 30%, while its CinemaScore rating from moviegoers tends to range between “B” and “C” grades. However, the horror genre tends to be review-proof at the box office.

James Wan and Leigh Whannell created the “Saw” franchise, revolving around the mysterious and disturbing Jigsaw Killer, who puts his victims through deadly games to test their will to live.

A month after the release of the trailer for “Spiral: From the Book of Saw,” rapper 21 Savage, who serves as executive producer of the film’s soundtrack, has dropped a music video for the song “Spiral.” (See behind-the-scenes photos from the shoot below.)

The film, which opens in over 2,000 theaters on May 14, stars Chris Rock (who’s also executive producer), Samuel L. Jackson, Max Minghella and Marisol Nichols.

The song “Spiral” was produced by Slaughter Gang’s Kid Hazel and marks 21 Savage’s first new release since “Savage Mode II” with Metro Boomin in Oct. 2020. The soundtrack album, meanwhile, is being released by Slaughter Gang/Epic Records. Composer Charlie Clouser (Nine Inch Nails) did the score.

The video for “Spiral” was shot in the Saw escape room in Las Vegas and intercuts footage from the movie. Savage and the music figure prominently in the Lionsgate movie and campaigns to promote its theatrical run.

Lionsgate has acquired the rights to “Rapture,” the next film from the directors of Lionsgate’s upcoming “Antebellum,” Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz, the studio said on Friday. Nathan Kahane, president of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group and Erin Westerman, president of motion picture production for the studio, on Friday.

Along with the acquisition, the studio also set a date for Bush and Renz’s debut film “Antebellum” after its original planned release for this spring was delayed by the coronavirus. The horror film starring Janelle Monáe will now open in theaters on August 21, said Nathan Kahane, president of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, and Erin Westerman, president of motion picture production for the studio, in the statement.

Lionsgate picked up Bush and Renz’s short story “Rapture” in a bidding war, and the duo will base their screenplay off their short as their next project as writers and directors.

Antebellum writing and directing team Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz have set up their next project at Lionsgate, Rapture. At the same time, the studio as re-dated Antebellum, originally scheduled for the spring pre-covid-19, to Aug. 21 of this year.

The deal was made for Rapture after a highly competitive bidding situation for the material. Bush and Renz have written a short story that will be the basis for their original screenplay, which they’re writing immediately. Rapture follows a family who is torn apart by warring beliefs and must come together to unravel the mystery around the sudden vanishing of the global population – before it’s too late.

More from Deadline'Now You See Me 3' In The Works At Lionsgate With 'American Hustle' Scribe Eric Warren Singer'Hunger Games' Prequel 'The Ballad of Songbirds And Snakes' Moves Forward At Lionsgate With Series Director Francis Lawrence'John Wick: Chapter 3' A...

Lionsgate has inked a deal for the writer-director team of Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz's next film, Rapture, as the studio redates the duo's feature debut Antebellum for a worldwide theatrical release on Aug. 21.

"We are thrilled to join our industry and exhibitor partners as we begin to plan for a return to moviegoing," Lionsgate president of worldwide distribution David Spitz said Friday in a statement. Major exhibitors are eyeing a summer reopening for their U.S. locations amid the Covid-19 crisis as new Hollywood product is rolled out.

The first summer studio film currently on ...

Lionsgate has inked a deal for the writer-director team of Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz's next film, Rapture, as the studio redates the duo's feature debut Antebellum for a worldwide theatrical release on Aug. 21.

"We are thrilled to join our industry and exhibitor partners as we begin to plan for a return to moviegoing," Lionsgate president of worldwide distribution David Spitz said Friday in a statement. Major exhibitors are eyeing a summer reopening for their U.S. locations amid the Covid-19 crisis as new Hollywood product is rolled out.

The first summer studio film currently on ...

On the night of Aug. 9, Warner Bros. executives made an unexpectedly pleasant discovery: “The Meg,” their prehistoric shark movie that cost $150 million and took over two decades to get to the big screen, wasn’t going to bomb.

Initial domestic numbers for “The Meg” showed that $4 million worth of tickets had been sold on Thursday night, portending an opening weekend far above the estimated $20 million to $22 million for the Friday to Sunday period. The final number — $45.4 million — was double that forecast. Four weeks later, “The Meg” has already crossed $462 million worldwide and will likely end up in the black.

The strong Thursday showing for “The Meg” is proof of the impact early preview showings have become over the past six years. Ever-earlier showings ahead of the once-traditional Friday release get the buzz out faster and give box office watchers a snapshot of what to expect over the opening weekend.

“What...

When Deadline runs its Most Valuable Blockbuster film profitability countdown each year, readers often ask about certain wildly profitable films that didn’t crack our top list. So we’ve once again had five overachievers broken down by the experts; pics with production budgets under $40M.

Annabelle: Creation

New Line/Warner Bros.

The Film

Horror sequels typically run out of gas at the box office. New Line’s The Conjuring is the exception. Annabelle: Creation, the second installment of The Conjuring spinoff, earned $306.5M worldwide, +19% over its 2014 first spinoff. The low production budget of $15M before P&A made for a high profit/low risk success. The film launches its talent into bigger projects at Warner Bros. Walter Hamada (who oversaw this with New Line’s co-chief Carolyn Blackwood, as well as production exec Dave Neustadter) got moved to Warner Bros to oversee DC Films, and Annabelle: Creation director David F. Sandberg...

Jimmy Spitz, a longtime distribution executive who worked for years at a number of studios and is the father of Wme motion picture agent Jason Spitz, Lionsgate domestic distribution president David Spitz and 20th Century Fox VP/in-theater marketing Susie Cotliar, died Monday after a long illness. Spitz was very well-regarded around town and was known to have mentored a number of executives during his time in the business. Spitz, who held distribution posts at Savoy Picture…...

One year after unveiling Damien Chazelle’s Oscar-winning “La La Land” at CinemaCon, Lionsgate returned to screen commercial action-comedy “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” and star Salma Hayek is already predicting a sequel.

Read More: Todd Haynes’ ‘Wonderstruck’ First Look at CinemaCon: Mystery, VFX, and Subject To Interpretation

“This film is so magnificent that I am going to have the courage to predict that there will be a sequel,” Hayek said before praising her co-stars Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson. “The two stars of this film are, I think, the best people in the world to balance action and comedy.”

Directed by Patrick Hughes (“The Expendables 3”), “The Hitman’s Bodyguard’ is an action-comedy that follows the world’s top protection agent (Reynolds) and his new client, a notorious hitman (Jackson). Lionsgate president of domestic distribution David Spitz noted that the film is still a work in progress, but Hayek...

Word has been brewing for months that Lionsgate had something significant on its hands with the Julia Roberts drama “Wonder.” The studio’s President of Domestic Distribution David Spitz coughed up the goods at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Thursday, in the form of a full trailer (which is not yet available for public consumption). Spitz said “Wonder” got the highest scores from test audiences over any other film in Lionsgate’s history. Roberts is the marquee name, but the heavy lifting here is done by “Room” breakout Jacob Tremblay. Also Read: Hugh Jackman's 'Greatest Showman' Footage Stuns With Emotional,...

Last year at CinemaCon, Lionsgate showed exhibitors a sneak peek of La La Land. This year, after a short presentation by president of domestic distribution David Spitz, the distributor showed all of the Ryan Reynolds-starrer The Hitman's Bodyguard. But before they did, Spitz showed off a series of clips. First on the stage were How To Be A Latin Lover's Salma Hayek and Eugenio Derbez, who launched into a comedy act before Hayek hit him upside the back of the head and told…...

With La La Land co-stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling possibly dominating TV screens next Tuesday after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveils the Oscar nominations, spare a thought for Lionsgate film distribution head David Spitz.

His toes are already tapping and Spitz, the studio's president of domestic theatrical distribution, may well burst out in song when the best picture Oscar is presented next month. That's because, after sweeping the Golden Globes and continuing to build box-office momentum, the expectations around La La Land as an improbable Hollywood hit are ballooning.

"With all of the momentum...

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-chair Rob Friedman is stepping down, and will instead serve as special advisor to the office of CEO Jon Feltheimer, Lionsgate announced Friday. Friedman has worked in the entertainment industry for over 40 years. The Motion Picture Group will continue to be run by its current leadership team that includes Co-Chair Patrick Wachsberger, Co-President Erik Feig, Co-coo Steve Beeks, Chief Brand Officer and President of Worldwide Marketing Tim Palen, President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions Jason Constantine and President of Domestic Theatrical Distribution David Spitz. “Rob has played an integral role in leading the successful growth and diversification of.

The executive has been named special advisor, office of the CEO.

Rob Friedman has stepped down as co-chair of Lionsgate motio picture group.

The executive has been named special advisor, office of the CEO, the studio’s CEO Jon Feltheimer said on Friday.

Friedman has served nearly five years at Lionsgate since it acquired Summit Entertainment and in that time has worked with Patrick Wachsberger to assemble a mighty slate, although the last year or so has seen a number of titles perform below expectations.

Motion picture group co-chair Wachsberger will remain in place and continues to also oversee the company’s international sales operation.

The motion pictures group leadership team includes motion picture group co-president Erik Feig, Lionsgate co-coo Steve Beeks, chief brand officer and president of worldwide theatrical marketing Tim Palen, president of acquisitions and co-productions Jason Constantine and president of domestic theatrical distribution David Spitz.

While the international sales portion of the theatrical business...

The executive has been named special advisor, office of the CEO, the studio’s CEO Jon Feltheimer said on Friday.

Friedman has served nearly five years at Lionsgate since it acquired Summit Entertainment and in that time has worked with Patrick Wachsberger to assemble a mighty slate, although the last year or so has seen a number of titles perform below expectations.

Motion picture group co-chair Wachsberger will remain in place and continues to also oversee the company’s international sales operation.

The motion pictures group leadership team includes motion picture group co-president Erik Feig, Lionsgate co-coo Steve Beeks, chief brand officer and president of worldwide theatrical marketing Tim Palen, president of acquisitions and co-productions Jason Constantine and president of domestic theatrical distribution David Spitz.

While the international sales portion of the theatrical business has continued to be robust, Lionsgate has faltered at the North American box office following the end of the Hunger Games franchise.

[link...

The eight-year company veteran has been promoted to evp and general sales manager of domestic theatrical distribution.

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Domestic Theatrical Distribution Co-Presidents Richie Fay and David Spitz made the announcement.

Barber will be responsible for domestic film sales and distribution, including overall distribution strategy for the studio and its nine labels, reporting to Fay and Spitz.

The upcoming slate includes The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, Now You See Me 2, Gods Of Egypt, Deepwater Horizon, The Last Witch Hunter, the next two films in the Divergent series (Allegiant and Ascendant), John Wick 2, La La Land and the first Saban’s Power Rangers live action film.

Lionsgate has promoted Shaun Barber to executive VP and general sales manager of domestic theatrical distribution, it was announced Tuesday by Lionsgate Motion Picture Group domestic theatrical distribution co-presidents Richie Fay and David Spitz. The 18-year industry veteran’s promotion comes as Lionsgate continues to expand its motion picture operations to encompass more than 40 releases annually across multiple film labels. An eight-year veteran of Lionsgate and predecessor company Summit Entertainment, Barber is part of the team responsible for releasing the global blockbuster “Hunger Games” and “Divergent” franchises, as well as the worldwide smash “Now You See Me” and hits such as.

Shaun Barber has been promoted to executive vp and general manager of domestic theatrical distribution at Lionsgate. Barber will oversee domestic film sales and distribution, including overall distribution strategy for the studio and its nine labels. He will report to Lionsgate Motion Picture Group domestic theatrical distribution co-presidents Richie Fay and David Spitz. "His strategic vision, innovation and strong relationships with our theatrical exhibition partners will enable him to help maximize the performance of our growing film slate and capitalize on distribution opportunities in an evolving marketplace," Fay and Spitz said Tuesday in a joint statement. Barber, most

read more...

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 didn't catch fire like the previous instalments of The Hunger Games, but it still had the biggest opening of the year with $123 million at the weekend box office, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Lionsgate's Mockingjay opened well below the $158 million debut of last year's Hunger Games: Catching Fireand the $153 million opening of the 2012 original. But even with a $30-million-plus slide in the franchise,Mockingjay far surpassed the previous top weekend of the year: the $100 million debut of Transformers: Age of Extinction.

The result made for some unusual ironies. The biggest opening of the year (and by a wide margin) was seen by some as a disappointment. After initial box office receipts of Mockingjay rolled in Friday suggested a weekend take below expectations, Lions Gate Entertainment's stock dipped 5 percent.

But the decision to split the final book in Suzanne Collins' dystopian trilogy into...

8th Update, Tuesday, 4:42 Pm: Box office final tallies are in and the summer is off 14.6% from last year. Leading the next weekend will be the two August tentpoles — Guardians of the Galaxy and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which once again, Paramount has a higher gross than others have for it ($11.7M vs. $11.9M). Regardless, it’s such a minimal amount, that we’re keeping with the $166.3M cume for its summer tally. Congrats to Disney/Marvel for having the top film of the season and of the year to date with a newly-established and fun franchise with Guardians. Can’t wait to see the next one.

Related: Box Office End of Summer, Some Profitable Hits in Overall Blah Season

Next weekend, there is only one picture in wide release next weekend, The Identical from Freestyle Releasing so expect a quiet weekend after Labor Day, which is typical. The Identical,...

"The Expendables 2" proved to be anything but expendable as the Sylvester Stallone-led sequel won the weekend box office, raking in $28.8 million.

Although the sophomore action flick effort beat out "The Bourne Legacy" and "ParaNorman" this weekend, it failed to outdo 2010's "The Expendables," which brought in $34.8 million during its opening weekend. But, according to The Hollywood Reporter, "The Expendables 2" box office run is far from over. The film's beefed up cast (Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Liam Hemsworth are new additions to the gun-toting crew) and older-skewed audience should keep it going strong throughout the week.

"We think we'll have a great run," Lionsgate executive vice president of distribution David Spitz told THR. "Older audiences don't rush out to the cinema on opening weekend."

"The Bourne Legacy," the first of the Bourne series to swap out Matt Damon for Jeremy Renner, came in second place with...

Los Angeles — "The Hunger Games" is still the first item on the menu for movie fans, taking in $61.1 million to remain the No. 1 film in its second weekend.

Studio estimates Sunday put Lionsgate's "The Hunger Games" well ahead of Sam Worthington's action sequel "Wrath of the Titans," which opened in second-place with $34.2 million.

That's far below the $61.2 million opening of its predecessor, "Clash of the Titans," two years ago. But distributor Warner Bros. opened "Clash" on Easter weekend, when young fans already were off school and in holiday mode. With Easter coming next weekend, the studio expects "Wrath" to catch up to "Clash" in the next few weeks.

Julia Roberts' comic "Snow White" reinvention "Mirror Mirror" debuted at No. 3 with $19 million. Released by Relativity Media, the film casts Roberts as the wicked queen opposite Lily Collins as Snow White.

Starring Jennifer Lawrence as a teen forced to...

Los Angeles -- "The Hunger Games" is still the first item on the menu for movie fans, taking in $61.1 million to remain the No. 1 film in its second weekend.

Studio estimates Sunday put Lionsgate's "The Hunger Games" well ahead of Sam Worthington's action sequel "Wrath of the Titans," which opened in second-place with $34.2 million.

That's far below the $61.2 million opening of its predecessor, "Clash of the Titans," two years ago. But distributor Warner Bros. opened "Clash" on Easter weekend, when young fans already were off school and in holiday mode. With Easter coming next weekend, the studio expects "Wrath" to catch up to "Clash" in the next few weeks.

Julia Roberts' comic "Snow White" reinvention "Mirror Mirror" debuted at No. 3 with $19 million. Released by Relativity Media, the film casts Roberts as the wicked queen opposite Lily Collins as Snow White.

Starring Jennifer Lawrence as a teen forced...

Los Angeles -- "The Hunger Games" is still the first item on the menu for movie fans, taking in $61.1 million to remain the No. 1 film in its second weekend. Studio estimates Sunday put Lionsgate's "The Hunger Games" well ahead of Sam Worthington's action sequel "Wrath of the Titans," which opened in second-place with $34.2 million. That's far below the $61.2 million opening of its predecessor, "Clash of the Titans," two years ago. But distributor Warner Bros. opened "Clash" on Easter weekend, when young fans already were off school and in holiday mode. With Easter coming next weekend, the studio expects "Wrath" to catch up to "Clash" in the next few weeks. Julia Roberts' comic "Snow White" reinvention "Mirror Mirror" debuted at No. 3 with $19 million. Released by Relativity Media, the film casts Roberts as the wicked queen opposite Lily Collins as Snow White. Starring Jennifer Lawrence as a teen forced...

IMAX and Lionsgate today announced that the limited release of The Hunger Games: The IMAX Experience grossed $10.6 million in IMAX® theatres worldwide during its three-day opening weekend beginning March 23. Domestically, the film grossed $152.5 million, of which $10.2 million was generated in 268 IMAX theatres for a per-screen average of $38,000. The results mark an IMAX domestic box office opening weekend record for a digital-only release and for a non-sequel 2D release.

“The reaction to the The Hunger Games has been remarkable and we’re thrilled that fans have sought out our format as an ideal way to experience this global phenomenon,” said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “Congratulations to Lionsgate, producer Nina Jacobson and director Gary Ross for this remarkable adaptation – what an amazing way to kick off our relationship.”

“We believe the IMAX release of The Hunger Games helped broaden the audience beyond young females to include our core fanboy audience,...

Breaking: This is the week when the pain from the Lionsgate and Summit Entertainment merger gets felt, as the pieces are being mixed and matched, and layoffs rule the day. It sounds a lot like the plot of Highlander, a high profile remake that comes in through Summit. They are taking heads, and when it comes to mashing together departments in film and home video and choosing an exec to run it, there can be only one. Besides eliminating one major maker and buyer of pictures, how great is this merger for an already struggling feature and TV industry? Here is the latest stuff I’m hearing. Richie Fay, Summit’s former president of distribution, will become president of distribution for Lionsgate; David Spitz will stay on as general sales manager at Lionsgate. That means that Bill Lewis, exec veep and general sales manager for Summit, will likely leave. Chris...

New York — On Oscar weekend, the real-life action stars of "Act of Valor" bested Hollywood's pretend heroes. The Relativity Media action flick, starring real, active-duty U.S. Navy SEALs, topped the weekend box office, earning $24.7 million according to studio estimates Sunday. That was a strong opening for a unique film made in collaboration with the Navy, which sought to demonstrate the skill and bravery of the SEALs without Hollywood imitation. "How often can you repeat the same heroes that are big stars pretending to be heroes?" said Kyle Davies, president of worldwide distribution for Relativity. "I think moviegoers are ready for a new, fresh experience." "Act of Valor" led another strong weekend at the box office, as it was up 24.4 percent over the corresponding weekend last year. Attendance this year is up 20.4 percent, a surge that hasn't been driven by Academy Awards contenders but by new films in a traditionally tepid movie-going season.

New York — Beware the Liam in Winter. Liam Neeson's "The Grey" topped the weekend box office with $20 million, according to studio estimates Sunday, continuing the actor's success as an action star in the winter months.

The Alaskan survivalist thriller opened above expectations with a performance on par with previous Neeson thrillers "Taken" and "Unknown." Those films, both January-February releases, opened with $24.7 million and $21.9 million, respectively.

But the R-rated "The Grey," which has received good reviews, drove home the strong appeal of Neeson, action star. It's an unlikely turn for the 59-year-old Neeson, previously better known for his dramatic performances, like those in "Schindler's List" and "Kinsey."

"Liam is a true movie star, period," said Tom Ortenberg, CEO of Open Road Films. It's the second release for the newly formed distributor, created by theater chains AMC and Regal.

"My guess is that Liam Neeson in action thrillers would work just about any time of year.

Does Groupon save? Eh. Katherine Heigl's One for the Money, the subject of a heavily promoted ticket discount, settled for a third-place debut at the weekend box office. The critically assailed Heigl movie either met so-so expecatations or outdid them with an estimated $11.8 million Friday-Sunday gross.  Tickets for the crime comedy were offered via Groupon for $6 a pop, a 60 percent discount in some cities. In the end, One for the Money managed a per-screen average that was stronger than all the movies in the Top 10, save Liam Neeson's chart-topping The Grey. Lionsgate exec David Spitz rejected the notion that the grosses for his studio's film were inflated....

General Audiences Can See The Film On Labor Day Weekend,

In Advance Of Its September 9th Release

Lionsgate will be holding a special sneak preview for the inspirational sports drama Warrior on Sunday, September 4th at 7:00 pm, at theaters nationwide. To promote the sneak previews, Lionsgate has partnered with Twitter to designate the hashtag #WARRIORMovieSneakPreview, which Lionsgate has also sponsored as a Promoted Trend, allowing Twitter.s powerful user base a direct link to buy tickets and continue to spread the tremendous word of mouth the film is receiving.

Moviegoers interested in seeing the film, which Wamg says is the iconic “Rocky” of the Mma generation, brutal and beautiful, emotionally extraordinary, one of the best films of 2011, can purchase tickets in advance at www.warriorsneakpreview.com and use #WARRIORMovieSneakPreview on Twitter to share information about the movie with friends.

.We are in a fortunate position in that the best...

Lionsgate has issued an exciting press release, announcing that Gavin O’Connor’s Warrior will be released in a sneak peek this Sunday, September 4th. Click here to find out which cities and theaters are participating.

To promote the sneak previews, Lionsgate has partnered with Twitter to designate the hashtag #WARRIORMovieSneakPreview, which Lionsgate has also sponsored as a Promoted Trend, allowing Twitter’s powerful user base a direct link to buy tickets and continue to spread the tremendous word of mouth the film is receiving.

Moviegoers interested in seeing the film, which Rolling Stone’s chief film critic Peter Travers calls “fiercely moving,” can purchase tickets at theaters, or in advance through Movietickets.com or Fandango.com. They can also purchase tickets in advance at http://www.warriorsneakpreview.com/and use #WARRIORMovieSneakPreview on Twitter to share information about the movie with friends.

“We are in a fortunate position in that...

Lionsgate, a leading global entertainment company, today announced a special sneak preview screening program for inspirational sports drama "Warrior." The screenings will be held on Sunday, September 4th at 7:00 pm, at theaters nationwide.  The announcement was made by Lionsgate's co-coo and Motion Picture Group President Joe Drake.  To promote the sneak previews, Lionsgate has partnered with Twitter to designate the hashtag #WARRIORMovieSneakPreview, which Lionsgate has also sponsored as a Promoted Trend, allowing Twitter's powerful user base a direct link to buy tickets and continue to spread the tremendous word of mouth the film is receiving. Moviegoers interested in seeing the film can purchase tickets in advance at www.warriorsneakpreview.com and use #WARRIORMovieSneakPreview on Twitter to share information about the movie with friends. "We are in a fortunate position in that the best promotional tool for this incredible film is the film itself," explained Drake of the motivation...

Lionsgate&#174 (NYSE: Lgf), a leading global entertainment company, today announced a special sneak preview screening program for inspirational sports drama Warrior. The screenings will be held on Sunday, September 4th at 7:00 pm, at theaters nationwide. The announcement was made by Lionsgate's co-coo and Motion Picture Group President Joe Drake.

To promote the sneak previews, Lionsgate has partnered with Twitter to designate the hashtag #WARRIORMovieSneakPreview, which Lionsgate has also sponsored as a Promoted Trend, allowing Twitter's powerful user base a direct link to buy tickets and continue to spread the tremendous word of mouth the film is receiving.

Moviegoers interested in seeing the film, which Rolling Stone's chief film critic Peter Travers calls "fiercely moving," can purchase tickets at theaters, or in advance through Movietickets.com or Fandango.com. They can also purchase tickets in advance at www.warriorsneakpreview.com and use #WARRIORMovieSneakPreview on Twitter to share information about the movie with friends.

Lionsgate&#174 (NYSE: Lgf), a leading global entertainment company, today announced a special sneak preview screening program for inspirational sports drama Warrior. The screenings will be held on Sunday, September 4th at 7:00 pm, at theaters nationwide. The announcement was made by Lionsgate's co-coo and Motion Picture Group President Joe Drake.

To promote the sneak previews, Lionsgate has partnered with Twitter to designate the hashtag #WARRIORMovieSneakPreview, which Lionsgate has also sponsored as a Promoted Trend, allowing Twitter's powerful user base a direct link to buy tickets and continue to spread the tremendous word of mouth the film is receiving.

Moviegoers interested in seeing the film, which Rolling Stone's chief film critic Peter Travers calls "fiercely moving," can purchase tickets at theaters, or in advance through Movietickets.com or Fandango.com. They can also purchase tickets in advance at www.warriorsneakpreview.com and use #WARRIORMovieSneakPreview on Twitter to share information about the movie with friends.

Check out the latest TV spot from Warrior - a must-see of 2011! Attend a special sneak preview of the film this weekend – Sunday Sept. 4th, by clicking Here for listings.

To promote the sneak previews, Lionsgate has partnered with Twitter to designate the hashtag #WARRIORMovieSneakPreview, which Lionsgate has also sponsored as a Promoted Trend, allowing Twitter.s powerful user base a direct link to buy tickets and continue to spread the tremendous word of mouth the film is receiving.

Moviegoers interested in seeing the film, which Rolling Stone.s chief film critic Peter Travers calls .fiercely moving,. can purchase tickets in advance at www.warriorsneakpreview.com and use #WARRIORMovieSneakPreview on Twitter to share information about the movie with friends.

.We are in a fortunate position in that the best promotional tool for this incredible film is the film itself,. explained Drake of the motivation to allow general audiences this special advance access.

By Lisa Richwine

Los Angeles (Reuters) - The maids of "The Help" proved far mightier than muscle-flexing "Conan the Barbarian" and three other new releases at the weekend box office, taking the top spot with an estimated $20.5 million in U.S. and Canadian ticket sales.

"The Help" rose from its second-place finish last week to the top spot with rave reviews and strong word-of-mouth buzz, distributor Walt Disney Co said on Sunday. The drama chronicles the relationships between white women in Mississippi and their black housekeepers in the 1960s.

The movie's North American (U.S. and Canadian) receipts slipped 21 percent from its debut a week earlier, an impressive hold and more than enough to beat underwhelming performances from four new films. To date, "The Help" has beat expectations by ringing up a total of $71.8 million.

"We always hoped 'The Help' would be a breath of fresh air after a busy,...

Psychokiller Jigsaw has come back to life at the box office.

Lionsgate's Saw 3D, billed as the final installment in the series about Jigsaw's legacy of bloody terror, debuted as the Halloween weekend's No. 1 movie with $24.2 million, according to studio estimates.

That was $10 million more than the debut of last year's Saw VI, the first dud in the annual horror franchise.

"Last year, a lot of people said, 'Ok, that's it. Put a fork in it, it's done,'" said David Spitz, head of distribution for Lionsgate. "The following week, we were all disappointed and thought, what can we do to reinvigorate the franchise? So we shot the movie in 3-D and said this is the final chapter."

It paid off, though Saw 3D still brought a modest return compared to earlier chapters in the Saw series, whose second, third, fourth and fifth movies all topped $30 million over opening weekend.

Lionsgate decided to move up Tyler Perry's upcoming drama "For Colored Girls" a couple of months. Instead of launching the film early next year (as originally planned), the studio will release it Nov. 2, 2010.

The film is based on Ntozake Shange's 1975 play "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf." The film version focuses on what happens to 20 nameless black women.

"It's a serious film that really lends itself to the fall period," Lionsgate's David Spitz told Variety. Now, "Colored Girls" will face Todd Phillips' comedy "Due Date" and DreamWorks' "Megamind" at the box office.

Summer's last couple box office sessions often produce solid results for niche pics, and the latest frame has proven to be a textbook case.

Lionsgate's horror pic "The Last Exorcism" bowed at No. 1 in the domestic rankings with more than half of its estimated $21.3 million collected from Latino patrons, while closely behind, Sony Screen Gems' crime thriller "Takers" took the weekend silver medal with a $21 million debut built on core urban support. But the niche riches at the top of the season's penultimate session contrasted sharply with a lackluster tally by winter blockbuster "Avatar," which Fox and James Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment returned to theaters for a delayed victory lap.

A 171-minute, 3D-only "special edition" of "Avatar" offered in 812 locations rung up $4 million, including $1.6 million from Imax auditoriums, to push the scifi epic's record cumulative boxoffice to $753.8 million domestically. Though its weekend results were less than eye-popping, the...

By Pete Hammond

HollywoodNews.com: The late August clearance sale began for studios this weekend when no less than five wide releases opened, some of rather dubious critical distinction, but not one of them could dislodge last week’s barn -burner winner, “The Expendables” for the top spot at the box office. It’s an unusual situation to be sure when a Sylvester Stallone action film that also features plum parts for the past-their-prime likes of Dolph Lundgren and Jet Li can grab the brass ring not just one, but two weeks in a row. Thanks to the smart distribution strategy of Lionsgate, following a pattern set by the similarly themed “Inglourious Basterds” last August, “Expendables” became a prime example of a movie filling the right “slot” in a release schedule rather than the other way around. Now it seems like studios stake a claim to a date that has...

Sylvester Stallone's The Expendables fought off an onslaught of newcomers to finish on top of the weekend box office again.

The retro actioner remained No. 1 for a second straight weekend with (Us)$16.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. Directed by and starring Stallone, the action romp about mercenaries aiming to overthrow a dictator raised its total to $64.9 million.

Five new wide releases debuted to crowd the market, but none managed to pack in huge audiences and knock off The Expendables.

"Given all that competition in the marketplace, I don't think there was any guarantee we would hold this strong, but we did," said David Spitz, head of distribution for Lionsgate.

Sylvester Stallone’s The Expendables took on another batch of contenders at the box office this weekend and emerged the victor for a second time.

The musclebound action flick added another $16.5 million to its total and took the top spot, despite dropping 53% from last weekend. Stallone and Lionsgate have discussed a sequel, but “nothing has been decided yet,” according to distribution head David Spitz.

The rest of the field was populated with five newcomers in that time of year where studios typically dump their weaker, inexpensive titles and hope for the best (with the exception of last year’s Inglourious Basterds, of course).

In second was Fox’s unwatchable spoof Vampires Suck, which managed to drain $12.2 million from suckers this weekend. But the studio was smart to open the cheaply made parody on Wednesday and it has already dragged in $18.6 million on a $20 million budget. 72% of audience members were under...