Lionsgate & Grindstone Acquire Nadine Crocker Drama ‘Continue’

Good news for Francis Ford Coppola earlier this week, as Lionsgate stepped up to snag distribution rights for his self-financed “Megalopolis.” But THR reports there’s a catch to the Lionsgate deal for FFC: the 85-year-old will need to spend up to $20 million in marketing for the film’s theatrical release. That’s on top of the $120 million Coppola already spent to finance his passion project in the first place.

DirecTV and Lionsgate have made a new, wide-ranging licensing agreement that will promptly make five Lionsgate channels available to all DirecTV and DirecTV Stream consumers, both streaming and satellite subscribers.

Lionsgate and Lionsgate Studios has upped Chase Brisbin to EVP, International SVOD Sales and Head of Global Channels.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Lionsgate has upped Chase Brisbin to exec VP of international SVOD sales and head of global channels. The news was announced Tuesday by Lionsgate’s worldwide TV distribution prexy Jim Packer.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Lionsgate, the studio behind “The Hunger Games” and “Saw” franchises, and Media Capital Technologies (MCT), a specialty finance company, have signed a slate co-financing agreement. As part of the pact, MCT will make what is being described as “a significant investment” in Lionsgate’s film slate.

Ever since it was announced that Francis Ford Coppola was sinking in his own cash to make his passion project, “Megalopolis,” there was always a question about what studio would be willing to distribute the film. Then, when it was part of Cannes and got somewhat mixed (to put it nicely) reviews, the question about distribution came up yet again.

Rebecca Rubin Senior Film and Media Reporter Francis Ford Coppola’s sci-fi epic “Megalopolis,” which proved to be wildly divisive after its Cannes Film Festival premiere, has finally found a distributor. Lionsgate has signed a deal to distribute the film in theaters in the U.S. and Canada.

Lionsgate will be releasing Francis Ford Coppola’s $120M epic production Megalopolis stateside on Sept. 27 following its premiere at Cannes last month.

Selena Kuznikov Lionsgate Television has optioned journalist Adam Ciralsky’s Vanity Fair article “Take No Prisoners” to be developed as a series by showrunner Alexi Hawley. The article details the work of the U.S. Special envoy for hostage affairs and his colleagues, working for the release of Americans held captive worldwide.

Lionsgate Television is developing the series The Envoy based on the June 2024 Vanity Fair article “Take No Prisoners” from Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist Adam Ciralsky.

Angelique Jackson During CAA Amplify, Lionsgate announced the development of Story Spark, a free online tool that helps creatives and development executives measure diversity and intersectionality in storytelling. The studio describes Story Spark as a “filmmaker-first and creative-driven, collaborative and open-ended development tool,” which provides guidance toward telling more inclusive stories.

Licorice Pizza star Cooper Hoffman and HBO Industry actor David Jonsson are currently in the mix to headline Francis Lawrence’s take on Stephen King‘s The Long Walk for Lionsgate.

Nadine Shah has elaborated on her decision not to play at Glastonbury due to financial reasons, writing “Sorry to break it to you but music is my job”.The Mercury-nominated singer and songwriter announced the news that she would not be performing at the 2024 edition of the Worthy Farm festival earlier this week. Taking to her official X/Twitter account, she addressed rumours that she would be announced for this year’s edition, and confirmed that she turned down the offer due to a low fee.“The rumours are untrue.

To no one’s surprise, Lionsgate remains in the “Hunger Games” business. The studio has greenlit an adaptation of Suzanne Collins‘ upcoming prequel ahead of its March 18, 2025, release date.

On the heels of its world premiere in competition as the opener for the Berlin Film Festival, the historical drama Small Things Like These, produced by and starring Oppenheimer Oscar winner Cillian Murphy, has been acquired by Lionsgate.

Alex Ritman “Small Things Like These,” the Irish drama starring newly-minted Oscar winner Cillian Murphy that opened the Berlinale earlier this year, finally has a domestic home, Variety has learned, with Lionsgate picking up the film for the U.S., the U.K. and Ireland. The studio will partner with Roadside Attractions for its North American theatrical release.

Nadine Shaw has revealed that she will not be playing this year’s edition of Glastonbury due to it being “too expensive”.The musician took to her official X/Twitter account to share that despite the rumours of her allegedly playing the Worthy Farm festival, she will not be performing at all. “The rumours are untrue.

Lionsgate‘s MovieSphere channel will become the first major FAST (free ad supported streaming) channel to be measured by Nielsen.

Lionsgate UK has locked a deal with Zygi Kamasa’s True Brit Entertainment to release the Ian McKellen pic The Critic. 

Singer Nadine Coyle has shared a tribute to Sarah Harding, recalling the last time they were in Newcastle touring together.The Girls Aloud band member published the throwback picture to her 483,000 followers on Instagram.The photograph shows Nadine and Sarah, 11 years ago in the Utilita Arena Newcastle, after performing a Girls Aloud show.The singer shared the throwback before performing in the same arena over a decade later, this time without her bandmate and friend Sarah. Nadine captioned the post: "This was the last time Sarah and I were in this arena together!!! This was when we finished the show and stayed laughing in our dresses!! "We are here again tonight and thinking about this time i was lucky enough to get to spend with Sarah!!! "When they say love like there is no tomorrow, it makes so much more sense now!! Xx" When Nadine and bandmates Cheryl, Nicola and Kimberley announced they were heading back on the road for The Show tour, they said that it would be a fitting tribute to Sarah.The group rose to fame on Popstars The Rivals in 2002, before scoring a record breaking number of successive UK top 10 singles.The group went on an indefinite hiatus in March 2013 following the conclusion of the Ten: The Hits Tour.