by Chris Ullrich, Apr 29 2011 // 7:00 AM
Remember that movie The Cabin in the Woods we first told you about almost a year ago? What ever happend to that one?
It had a lot going for it, coming from Cloverfield writer and director Drew Goddard and co-written by the man himself Joss Whedon. It also starts Chris Hemsworth, soon to be seen in Marvel’s Thor extravaganza.
With all that going for it, why haven’t we seen it yet? Well, it was initially postponed for conversion to 3D. Why? Who knows.
Then, it fell victim to MGM’s money troubles and ended up being put on the shelf until the company emerged from its money troubles or found another company to distribute the film. Fortunately, both of those things seems to have happened and Lionsgate has agreed to take on the film and bring it to a waiting audience.
With all this good news we still have a bit of bad. We don’t know the exact release date for the film and we still don’t know exactly what the film is about. However, based on prior experience with films of this type we can guess it involves several attractive people, a cabin, blood, death, creatures and a bit of humor. Sounds good. I’m in.
In addition to Hemsworth, the film features Kristen Connolly, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford and Brian White. When we get an official release date, we’ll let you know.
Posted in: Horror · Lionsgate · Movies · News · Whedon
Tagged: 3D, Bradley Whitford, Cabin in the Woods, Chris Hemsworth, Cloverfield, Dollhouse, Drew Goddard, Fran Kranz, Horror, Joss Whedon, Lionsgate, Movies, The Cabin in the Woods, Thor
by Matt Raub, Apr 27 2011 // 11:00 AM
Now that he’s not in office anymore, it seems like former California Governor can’t keep still. First he announces that he’s doing a comic book/cartoon franchise based on the fictional affairs during his term as the Governator, and now he’s ready to jump on the big screen as The Terminator.
THR has the full scoop.
The star’s agency, CAA, has put together a package that it’s currently shopping to the studios that includes rights to produce a new Terminator sequel, which would be directed by Justin Lin, hot off Fast Five, which opens domestically Friday, and produced by Robert Cort. No screenwriter has come on board yet.
When the movie’s rights holder the Halcyon Group went through bankruptcy in 2010, Lionsgate and Sony joined together in an unsuccessful bid to claim the franchise for themselves. More recently, Universal has been talking to CAA about tackling the project.
The idea of both Lin and Schwarzenegger is obviously still in the preliminary stages, but with Lin’s Fast Five opening big this weekend, you can imagine that Universal, Sony, and Lionsgate all jumping on the project like a Snickers at a fat camp.
No word just yet on how this effects McG’s “reboot” of the franchise with Salvation but even McG will have to step aside when the Governator wants back at playing the metal-head.
Posted in: Action · Announcements · Casting · Drama · Lionsgate · Movies · News · Sci-Fi · Sony · Universal Pictures
Tagged: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Fast Five, Halcyon Group, Justin Lin, Lionsgate, Terminator, Terminator: Salvation
by Joe Gillis, Apr 6 2011 // 7:00 AM
Even as some networks are changing the way they provide programming to Netflix’s Instant Streaming service, the company is still managing to add programming as well. Case in point is the announcement late yesterday that Netflix is entering a new area of business. That business? Syndication.
This new endeavor will begin with an exclusive deal between Netflix and Lionsgate to stream up to seven season of the Emmy-winning AMC TV series Mad Men. Under the deal, the first four seasons of Mad Men will be available on Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” service beginning on July 27. Additional seasons will be added as they finish airing on AMC.
The announcement comes days after AMC announced it had made a deal to keep Mad Men on the air for three more years, bringing the total number of seasons to seven. So, expect to see a lot more Mad Men for years to come. Seeing as the new season of Mad Men won’t debut until 2012, the new Netflix deal gives viewers a chance to catch up with all the previous episodes.
See, who says you never get anything good on TV?
Posted in: AMC · News · Tech · TV
Tagged: AMC, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Jon Hamm, Lionsgate, Mad Men, Matthew Weiner, Netflix Streaming, Netflix Watch Instantly, Software, TV
by Chris Ullrich, Mar 29 2011 // 10:00 AM
In a rather bold move AMC has decided to officially greenlight a fifth season of its Emmy-winning, flagship series Mad Men without a deal in place for creator/exec-producer Matt Weiner. The network is exercising its option with the series’ producer Lionsgate TV and work will start on the new season shortly.
While this may seem bold, and it is, it’s not unprecedented. In fact, AMC did the exact same thing two years ago when it was almost in the exact same position and negotiations with Weiner were dragging on. Sadly, even thought his may seem like good news for Mad Men fans, there’s at least one bit of bad. Because of the still unresolved negotiations with Weiner, the premiere of Season 5 is being pushed from the Summer to early 2012.
Here’s the full statement from AMC: “AMC has officially authorized production of season 5 of Mad Men, triggering our option with Lionsgate. While we are getting a later start than in years past due to ongoing, key non-cast negotiations, Mad Men will be back for a fifth season in early 2012.”
While some may slam Weiner for holding things up the delay isn’t all about money, at least not directly for him. His part of the deal is reportedly already in place, which would make him the highest paid showrunnner on TV with close to $30 Million for two years. The delay has more to do with creative elements of the show.
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Posted in: AMC · News · TV
Tagged: AMC, Christina Hendricks, January Jones, John Slattery, Jon Hamm, Lionsgate, Mad Men, Matt Weiner
by Matt Raub, Nov 29 2010 // 10:00 AM
Mark Millar has definitely taken the comic universe by storm in the past 10 years. He first turned heads of fanboys (and fangirls) everywhere with The Authority in 2000. Then he went a bit darker with his anti-hero epic Wanted. Later, Millar would get his first taste of adaptation, as Warner Bros. optioned Wanted into a highly successful feature film.
The same thing happened with Kick-Ass and Lionsgate last year, and now just about anything Millar puts in a comic is getting picked up as a film right away. His super villain series Nemesis is already being worked on by Tony Scott’s company, and Superior, the story of a crippled teen who turns into a famed superhero is also being looked at by several studios.
Coming up next month, you’ll be able to see all of Millar’s favorite characters crossover in an epic portrait that spans over 3 variant covers by regular cover artist Leinil Francis Yu. When asked about the idea, Millar couldn’t have been more about it.
“It wouldn’t make sense as a story as they all exist in their own distinct universes. But I was talking to Leinil in New York about this a few weeks back and we came up with this idea of spreading the image across three variants, each character touching the front cover of another book and it seemed very exciting. These are my wee babies so to see them all playing together gives me a warm glow. I’m collecting them to form one big image and to have it framed over my desk.”
Check out the full-sized image after the jump, and catch each variant for Kick Ass 2 #2, Superior #4, and Nemesis #4, all on sale in December and January.
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Posted in: Action · Comic Previews · Comics · Geek · Marvel · News · Sci-Fi
Tagged: Comics, Kick-Ass, Leinil Francis Yu, Lionsgate, Mark Millar, Nemesis, Superior, The Authority, Variant Cover, Wanted, Warner Bros
by Matt Raub, Nov 19 2010 // 8:00 AM
Out with the old, in with the new. Many people were speculating that the Saw franchise would go head to head with the Paranormal Activity franchise every October, after they had a dueling horror theme this past Halloween. It looks like Activity may have won that battle, as there is already a plan for a third film to release next October, and Lionsgate has no plans on continuing the Saw franchise. From Variety.
Paramount has greenlit “Paranormal Activity 3″ for production with plans to release the pic on Oct. 21.
Insiders said the pic’s original helmer, Oren Peli, and producer Jason Blum will have some part in the creative process but their roles are yet to be determined.
The first two “Paranormal Activity” pics revolved around a family haunted by an evil spirit, with both films lensed in the found footage style.The films have grossed a total of more than $300 million at the worldwide box office.
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Posted in: Action · Horror · Movies · News · Paramount · Prequels and Sequels · Sci-Fi
Tagged: Jason Blum, Lionsgate, Oren Peli, Paramount, Paranormal Activity, Paranormal Activity 2, Saw, Saw 3D
by Matt Raub, Oct 14 2010 // 8:00 AM
Who doesn’t love a good old fashioned movie by the folks who’ve brought us The Muppets for decades? Well, how about a new-fashioned crime noir story about a series of puppets that get murdered? Still interested? Of course you are. Genre-friendly studio Lionsgate has recently obtained the rights to Happytime Murders, a noir film from the first family of Muppets, the Hensons. From Heat Vision.
“Happytime Murders,” a comedy-thriller written by Todd Berger and to be directed by Brian Henson, son of Jim Henson, has landed at Lionsgate.
The project has been in development at the Jim Henson Co. since October 2008, when it picked up Berger’s script as a spec. Lionsgate’s acquisition gives the risky project — a dark and adult story featuring puppets — a real shot at getting made, with insiders talking of a possible January start, depending on how soon a star can be found for the lead.
The film takes place in a world where both humans and puppets co-habitate the world, much like Greg The Bunny, and a series of murders take place at a local children’s program–you guessed it–The Happytime Gang, and they enlist the help of a disgraced cop turned private investigator with a drinking problem.
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Posted in: Announcements · Comedy · Deals and Dealmaking · Drama · Lionsgate · Movies · News
Tagged: Brian Henson, Dark Crystal, Happytime Murders, Lionsgate, Muppets, Noir, Todd Berger
by Matt Raub, Oct 5 2010 // 12:00 PM
It’s that time again! Twitter Giveaways are much like Christmas around the Flickcast hallways, except we don’t get anything, and it happens way more than once a year. This time, we’ve got some quality laughs in the form of Spike’s Blue Mountain State: Season One on DVD courtesy of Lionsgate Home Entertainment.
Starring Darin Brooks, Bring It On’s Gabrielle Dennis and Smallville’s Sam Jones III, the football comedy has been referred to as “Friday Night Lights meets Entourage“. Now, you get to experience the entire first season all in one swoop.
How To Win:
1. If you aren’t already, follow us on Twitter @TheFlickcast.
2. Tweet out “I want to win Blue Mountain State S1 On DVD From @TheFlickcast”
3. Sit back, relax, and wait to hear back from us. If you do, you’ve won!
That’s how easy it is, folks. Check out the full features from the DVD set after the jump, and good luck!
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Posted in: Comedy · Exclusive · Giveaways · News · Spike TV · TV · Twitter Giveaway
Tagged: Blue Mountain State, Darin Brooks, Friday Night Lights, Gabrielle Dennis, Lionsgate, Sam Jones, Spike TV, Twitter Giveaway
by Diane Panosian, Sep 21 2010 // 1:00 PM
As summer dies down with explosive fire power and spiritual journeys to other lands, I recall the glorious action fest that was The Expendables. In turns out Julia Roberts has nothing on protein packed men with a mission on their minds. My female counterparts have voiced their love of meaty men in droves and unexpectedly taken away business from Julia’s love fest. Nearly 40 percent of The Expendables‘ audience was women. X-Men Origins: Wolverine‘s audience raked them in as nearly 50 percent of the audience was female. It seems women have tired of the boys akin to Michael Cera and instead jones for something with a little more muscle. Stallone should have learned the key to Hugh Jackman’s success to driving women in throngs- taking off his shirt.
I hear Hugh gave up his lead in Avon Man to start his insane work-out to become the ferocious mutant once again. If you take months upon months to beef up like these 80‘s action legends did, you’d think they’d want to show it off. Plus, wasn’t it super hot in Louisiana and Brazil where The Expendables shot? It was like 100 degrees with 100 percent humidity. Stallone couldn’t have been the only one who was feeling the heat. Take off those shirts and up your female movie-going audience to 51 percent.
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Posted in: Action · Box Office · Editorial · Editorial and Opinion · Movies · News
Tagged: Action, Adventure, Alias, Angelina Jolie, Avatar, Avon Man, Bruce Willis, Burn Notice, Comic-Con, Dark Angel, Die Hard, Dolph Lundgren, Doomsday, Eat Pray Love, Explosion, Geek, Geek Girls, geeky, Girl Power, Girls with Guns, Hugh Jackman, Jason Statham, Jason Stratham, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba, Julia Roberts, Lionsgate, Michael Cera, Michelle Rodriguez, Mickey Rourke, Milla Jovovich, Movies, Movies 2010, Rambo, Randy Couture, Rhona Mitra, Sigourney Weaver, Sly Stallone, Slyvestor Stallone, Steve Austin, Summer Movies, Sylvester Stallone, Sylvestor Stallone, Terry Crews, The Expendables, Underworld, Wolverine, X-Men Origins: Wolverine
by Shannon Hood, Sep 10 2010 // 4:00 PM
For close to a decade, new SAW movie trailers have been synonymous with fall. A new movie has been unveiled every single October for six years now. True to form, Lionsgate has started hyping the newest trailer for SAW 3D (aka SAW VII 3D.)
This looks to be an attempt to re-invigorate the flailing franchise with a fresh twist on the series, and the use of 3D. Lionsgate makes it very clear in the trailer that this movie was shot in 3D, obviously not wanting this film to be lumped in with some of the sub-par post production 3D conversions that have been released this year.
This film takes full advantage of 3D, with lots of objects flying through the air toward the audience.
Tobin Bell will be back as Jigsaw, and Cary Elwes will reprise his role as Dr. Lawrence Gordon.
As for the plot:
“As a deadly battle rages over Jigsaw’s brutal legacy, a group of Jigsaw survivors gathers to seek the support of self-help guru and fellow survivor Bobby Dagen, a man whose own dark secrets unleash a new wave of terror.”
Bobby Dagen will be played by Sean Patrick Flanery (The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.) Saw 3D is scheduled to hit theaters on October 29. Catch the trailer after the jump.
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Posted in: Horror · Lionsgate · Movies · Trailers
Tagged: Cary Elwes, Lionsgate, Saw, Saw 3D, Saw 3D trailer, Sean Patrick Flanery, Tobin Bell
by Chris Ullrich, Aug 11 2010 // 3:00 PM
It’s poster day here at the site and now we’ve got another for you. Previously, we brought you the first trailer for the latest, and presumably last, installment of the Saw franchise now known as Saw 3D. In that trailer we were treated to a lot of the same torture porn images, intricate traps and the rest of what you would expect from a Saw film.
The biggest difference with this latest one is that it brings back some of the cast of the other films including Carey Elwes, Betsy Russelly, Costas Mandylor and Jigsaw himself Tobin Bell. To demonstrate that, we’ve got a new poster for the movie (sent to us by Lionsgate and first debuted on MTV.com) featuring Bell in glorious 3D and complete with exploding head.
The movie tells the story of Jigsaw’s survivors who seek the support of self-help guru and fellow survivor Bobby Dagen (Sean Patrick Flanery). Unfortunately, Dagen is a man with his own secrets and dark past and as a battle for Jigsaw’s legacy ensues, a new wave of terror is unleashed.
Director Kevin Greutert returns for this movie as well as previous Saw franchise writers Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton, who wrote Saw IV, Saw V and Saw VI as well as the very good The Collector.
Check out the full poster in all its 3D glory after the jump. Saw 3D takes your lunch money and tortures you to death on October 29th.
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Posted in: Horror · Lionsgate · News · Posters · Prequels and Sequels
Tagged: Carey Elwes, Costas Mandylor, Horror, Jigsaw, Kevin Greutert, Lionsgate, Marcus Dunstan, Patrick Melton, Saw, Saw 3D, Sean Patrick Flannery, The Collector, Tobin Bell, Young Indiana Jones
by Diane Panosian, Aug 10 2010 // 1:00 PM
Congrats to all those who have made it past Comic-Con’s endless Hall H lines, sat through countless hours of the studio’s pleading with you to buy movie tickets, and made it back home in one, tired piece. What awaits you is a month filled with the studio’s last line of blockbuster attack ads until the holiday season.
Fear not, as the lines will be vastly shorter than the wait for Eclipse. Instead of emos and soccer moms in “Team Edward” T-shirts, you’ll find yourself beside teenage boys who watch Rocky V on their Evos while waiting for The Expendables.
Curiously, the generals of Universal and Lionsgate both decided to fire missiles into the 13-30 years old guys camp. With the troops dispersing, you should be able to deftly maneuver yourself to the safety of a comfy recliner at the multiplex.
My advice, do like Julia Roberts and Eat some buttery popcorn, Pray for a film worth the ticket price, and Love the below reviews. Let’s check out what’s in store for us in August.
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Posted in: Comedy · Features · Geek · Lionsgate · Movies · News · Sci-Fi · Universal Pictures
Tagged: Angelina Jolie, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Avatar, Bruce Willis, Bryan Lee O'Malley, Buffy, Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, Chris Evans, Comic-Con, Community, Dolph Lundgren, Eclipse, Edgar Wright, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Lionsgate, Lucy Lawless, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Cera, Michelle Rodriguez, Mickey Rourke, Nintendo, Rhona Mitra, Rocky V, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, Sigourney Weaver, Steve Austin, Summit Entertainment, Sylvester Stallone, The Expendables, The Office, The Other Guys, The Twilight Saga, Twilight, Universal, Will Ferrell