SANTA MONICA, Calif. and MELBOURNE, Australia, July 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In a move to further strengthen its worldwide distribution infrastructure, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), the premier next generation global content leader, has extended its multiyear output agreement with Roadshow Films, Village Roadshow Limited's theatrical distribution arm in Australia, the two companies announced today.
The agreement builds on the successful partnership formally launched in 2012 with such hits as the first two installments of the global blockbuster Hunger Games franchise. Australia was one of the top three international territories for both films.
The new output deal features a muscular Lionsgate slate that includes The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Parts 1 & 2 in November 2014 and November 2015, respectively, starring Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson, the action comedy Mortdecai, starring Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ewan McGregor, and The Power Rangers films from Lionsgate's partnership with Saban Brands to produce a series of live action films based on the iconic Power Rangers brand.
"We're pleased to extend our relationship with one of the premier distributors in Australia and delighted to bring them the most exciting feature film slate in our Company's history," said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairs Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman and Lionsgate International COO Andrew Kramer." Our portfolio of tentpole franchises, potential franchises and star-driven event films will create tremendous opportunities for both companies in Australia in the years to come."
"We're thrilled to extend our longstanding relationship with Patrick, Rob, Andrew and the entire Lionsgate team," said Joel Pearlman, Managing Director of Roadshow Films. "Lionsgate has emerged as a major force in the global marketplace in recent years and is an important supplier of some of the most commercially exciting films in the world. Looking at their upcoming slate, we believe that the best is yet to come."
Lionsgate's global distribution infrastructure is positioned to capitalize on the continued growth of the international theatrical box office and encompasses output deals in major territories covering 80% of the world's movie-going population outside China and India, self-distribution in the UK, the IDC joint venture serving Latin America and the studio's partnership in the Celestial Tiger platform serving China and Southeast Asia. Lionsgate's Summit label films are distributed in Australia by eOne.
ABOUT LIONSGATE
Lionsgate is a leading global entertainment company with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, family entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms and international distribution and sales. Lionsgate currently has over 30 television shows on more than 20 networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as the multiple Emmy Award-winning Mad Men and Nurse Jackie, the comedy Anger Management, the network series Nashville, the syndication success The Wendy Williams Show and the critically-acclaimed hit series Orange is the New Black.
Its feature film business has been fueled by such recent successes as the blockbuster first two installments of The Hunger Games franchise, The Hunger Games and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the first installment of the Divergent franchise, Now You See Me, Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain, Warm Bodies, The Expendables 2, The Possession, Sinister, Roadside Attractions' Mud and Pantelion Films' breakout hit Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S.
Lionsgate's home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 15,000 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 and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.
www.lionsgate.com
For further information, please contact:
Peter D. Wilkes
310-255-3726
pwilkes@lionsgate.com
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SOURCE Lionsgate
