Lightning Entertainment has announced that they will handle the DVD and VOD release of the zombie comedy The Revenant. We have the official press release, which also mentions a limited theatrical release this August 24th:
“Worldwide rights holder Lightning Entertainment has struck a deal with notable New York-based independent distribution company Paladin to handle the theatrical release of the award-winning horror comedy THE REVENANT, it was announced today by Lightning president Robert Beaumont, and Paladin’s president Mark Urman.
Paladin plans to release the film theatrically in August in an initial 10 markets. That same day, the film will be available as a premium V.O.D., as part of an event driven day-and-date Ultra VOD bow through Lightning’s distribution arm, Lightning Media.
The DVD will be released through Lionsgate under Lightning Media’s on-going partnership with the company.
The deal with Paladin was negotiated by Lightning Entertainment’s Joseph Dickstein, SVP of acquisitions and Audrey Delaney, VP of acquisitions and business development, and Paladin’s Urman.
Starring David Anders (the CW’s “The Vampire Diaries”) and Chris Wylde (THE TEN), THE REVENANT is written and directed by acclaimed visual effects expert D. Kerry Prior (PHANTASM franchise, AIR FORCE ONE, STARSHIP TROOPERS). Prior also produced the film along with Liam Finn (TRAINING DAY) and Jacques Thelemaque (MIDNIGHT MOVIE).
A horror comedy in the vein of SHAUN OF THE DEAD and ZOMBIELAND, THE REVENANT tells the story of a soldier and his slacker best friend who become zombies, and then use their newfound powers to become vigilante crime fighters with hilariously mixed results when their adventures become more complicated and bloody than expected.
A breakout hit on the film festival circuit, THE REVENANT has garnered exceptional reviews and won numerous awards including the Best Director and Audience Awards at Fantastic Fest and Zompire (the Undead Film Festival), and the Audience Award at CineVegas; and played to packed houses at top festivals like Sitges, the Brussels International Film Fest, and the Fantasia Film Festival.
“We are thrilled that THE REVENANT has found a theatrical home at Paladin,” said Beaumont. “Mark’s prowess in theatrical distribution, as well as his well-honed skills in the U.S. independent marketplace, ensures that this film will have a long and successful future.”
“Kerry’s film is an extremely clever and stylish take on zombie folklore, and the praise he garners from our theatrical release will almost certainly excite the genre’s fans and position him as a director to watch. I look forward to collaborating with Lightning Entertainment on this project, and expect it will be the first of several we do together,” said Urman.
Lightning’s high profile sales slate at the recently concluded Cannes Film Market included the Liam Hemsworth starrer LOVE AND HONOR screening for the first time for international buyers; WHOLE LOTTA SOLE starring Brendan Fraser and directed by Oscar winner Terry George (HOTEL RWANDA) also making its market debut along with the star-studded comedy STRUCK BY LIGHTNING starringGlee’s Chris Colfer and Rebel Wilson; the comedy SERVITUDE starring Joe Dinicol (the CW’s The L.A. Complex); the Russian animated 3D film KIKORIKI: TEAM INVINCIBLE; the thrillers BLACK SOUTH-EASTER and ONE LAST LOOK; family film HEAVEN’S DOOR starring Charisma Carpenter (upcoming THE EXPENDABLES 2) and Joanna Cassidy (HBO’s Six Feet Under) and Australian sci-fi film, 25thREICH starring Jim Knobeloch, Dan Balcaban and Jak Wyld. Lightning also debuted footage for the comedy THE HOT FLASHES directed by Susan Seidelman (DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN) starring Brooke Shields, Daryl Hannah, Virginia Madsen, Camryn Manheim and Wanda Sykes.
Paladin’s REVENANT deal with Lightning rounds out a particularly exciting chapter for the company that shepherded Tom Shadyac’s I AM to a $1.6 million gross, making it one of the surprise indie hits of last year. Other recent Paladin releases include THE WHALE narrated and executive produced by Ryan Reynolds; the Sundance 2011 award-winner, CONNECTED; Seidelman’s “Musical Chairs,” Morgan Spurlock’s most recent documentary, “Mansome,” starring and executive produced by Jason Bateman and Will Arnett. In current release is Oscar-nominee Taika Waititi’s prize-winning film, BOY, now in its fourth month in theaters having played nearly 100 engagements nationwide.”
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