On the eve of the American Film Market, Lightning Entertainment confirmed sales for multiple key international territories for their titles THE REVENANT, the newly announced SCENTS AND SENSIBILITY and the action comedy, CAT RUN. Deals were negotiated by Lightning’s sales team, Mathilde Epstein and Alexandra Cocean.
Horror-comedy THE REVENANT starring David Anders (the CW’s “The Vampire Diaries”) and Chris Wylde (THE TEN) has sold home entertainment rights to Universal in the United Kingdom, Germany and Benelux, DVD rights to Ster Kinekor in South Africa and all rights to the following territories: Nikkatsu in Japan, Eagle Entertainment in Australia and New Zealand, Eagle Films in the Middle East, and Daro Film Distribution in CIS. THE REVENANT, which will be released by Lightning Media in the U.S., Lightning Entertainment’s domestic distribution label, will screen at the market for international buyers. The film centers around a fallen soldier who somehow finds he has joined the ranks of the living dead.
Universal also acquired home entertainment rights to the United Kingdom, Benelux, Germany and Scandinavia for Lightning’s action comedy CAT RUN, about two young detectives who become involved in a case about a scandalous international cover-up. The film stars Paz Vega (SPANGLISH), Scott Mechlowicz (WAITING FOR FOREVER), Janet McTeer (upcoming ALBERT NOBBS) and Christopher MacDonald (NBC’s “Harry’s Law”). All rights to CAT RUN have also sold to AT Entertainment in Japan, All Interactive in Australia and New Zealand, Eagle Films in the Middle East, Carmen Films in CIS, PT Parkit in Indonesia and Vietnam, Coral Pictures in Thailand and Lumix Media in S. Korea. DVD rights were sold to Mares Filmes in Brazil.
Lightning also confirmed deals for its newly announced romantic comedy, SCENTS AND SENSIBILITY starring Ashley Williams (MARGIN CALL), Marla Sokoloff (ABC’s “The Practice”) and Nick Zano (THE FINAL DESTINATION). All rights sold to Free Dolphin in Spain, Trade Media in France, Eagle Films in the Middle East and DVD rights went to Ster Kinekor in South Africa. The romantic comedy is a modern day reimagining of Jane Austen’s novel, Sense and Sensibility, and will have its first market screening at AFM for international and U.S. buyers.
“We are thrilled with the amazing business achieved prior to AFM on our new slate of films,” said Mathilde Epstein, Lightning’s VP of International Sales. “We look forward to continuing our success at the market.”
About Lightning Entertainment
Lightning Entertainment was established in 2001, with a focus on the worldwide distribution and licensing of independent film products. Its core business is the representation of quality theatrical films, as well as product that has strong commercial value in ancillary markets. Lightning’s notable past films include the smash Sundance hit JUNEBUG, the heartwarming comedy BONNEVILLE starring Joan Allen, Kathy Bates and Jessica Lange, the gangster hit KILL THE IRISHMAN starring Christopher Walken and Ray Stevenson, and the acclaimed drama BEAUTIFUL BOY starring Michael Sheen and Maria Bello. Lightning’s current lineup includes the fast-paced action film BRAKE starring Stephen Dorff, the riveting thriller COLUMBUS CIRCLE starring Selma Blair, Giovanni Ribisi, Jason Lee and Amy Smart, and the witty dramedy THE TROUBLE WITH BLISS starring Michael C. Hall and Lucy Liu.
