Lions Gate Films Acquires Horror/Action Thriller 'SKINWALKERS' for U.S. Wide Release; Lions Gate Films International Will Begin Selling Foreign Rights at Cannes Film Festival

France, May 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lions Gate Films, the motion picture acquisition, production and distribution arm of Lions Gate Entertainment Toronto, has acquired U.S. distribution rights and international sales rights to SKINWALKERS, a spellbinding new twist on classic werewolf horror tales, it was announced today by Lions Gate International President Nick Meyer and Lions Gate Films Releasing President Tom Ortenberg. The film, which will begin production in early fall of this year, further builds Lions Gate's leadership in the horror/thriller genre and is slated for a wide North American release in 2006. Lions Gate will begin selling international rights to SKINWALKERS at the current Cannes Film Festival in all territories except Germany.

SKINWALKERS marks Lions Gate's first collaboration with another genre leader, Constantin Film (RESIDENT EVIL, RESIDENT EVIL 2, WRONG TURN), which will cooperate with DCP Mystery Arts Inc. and producers Don Carmody (CHICAGO, PRECINCT 13, RESIDENT EVIL: Apocalypse, WRONG TURN) and Dennis Berardi of Red Moon Films and renowned effects house Mr. X (RESIDENT EVIL: Apocalypse, DAWN OF THE DEAD, Disney's THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED) as well as producers Robert Kulzer, Stan Winston and Brian Gilbert. Lions Gate President of Acquisitions and Coproductions Peter Block and Senior Vice President of Acquisitions Jason Constantine will oversee production for Lions Gate Films.

The film will be directed by Jim Isaac, who directed the special effects for NAKED LUNCH, EXISTENZ, ARACHNOPHOBIA, THE FLY and ENEMY MINE and has been involved with creature effects-driven films since STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI and GREMLINS. SKINWALKERS also marks Lions Gate's first collaboration with legendary "Creature Mogul" Stan Winston, who heads the premier creature visual effects studio in the industry and has created cutting edge, award- winning special effects for TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES, TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY, the JURASSIC PARK franchise, INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE and the upcoming big-budget spectacular WAR OF THE WORLDS.

"Our international distributors can expect the highest production values and state-of-the-art visual effects courtesy of Stan Winston's genius, combined with the reputation of the Lions Gate horror brand and the Company's box office track record," said Meyer.

"This film brings together an all-star team of horror, with Jim Isaac, Stan Winston Studios, Constantin Film and Lions Gate Films all staking out leadership positions in the horror genre," said Ortenberg. "SKINWALKERS targets a moviegoing audience we know well, and we are combining a great story with dazzling effects to serve up our first werewolf movie to moviegoers nationwide."

"SKINWALKERS is unique because it has a great story, compelling characters, amazing special effects, action and stunning visuals," said Isaac. "All of these elements come together in a way that is very organic to the story. I am very excited about the team of filmmakers involved in this project."

"I'm pleased and excited to be working once again with my old friend Stan Winston and continuing my successful partnership with Constantin Film," said producer Carmody. "Dennis and I have been big supporters of Jim Isaac for some time now and are looking forward to showing the entertainment world just what a giant talent Jim is. This film will mark my first experience with Lions Gate and, from everything I've heard and experienced so far, I expect it to be mutually successful and rewarding."

"We are very proud to be associated with a project as exciting as SKINWALKERS," said Martin Moszkowicz, Los Angeles co-president of Constantin. "The combined experience of Constantin Film and the producers, coupled with Lions Gate's marketing savviness, will create a horror thriller of unique dimension."

SKINWALKERS is a horror action film about a 12-year-old boy who suddenly finds himself at the center of a battle between two warring groups of werewolves. One group of werewolves is sworn to protect him, the other group is trying to kill him -- and the young boy's mother has to find out why her son is at the center of the conflict before time runs out.

Jim Isaac (who directed special effects for NAKED LUNCH, EXISTENZ, THE FLY, ARACHNOPHOBIA and ENEMY MINE) will direct. The script was written by James DeMonaco (ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13, THE NEGOTIATOR), Todd Harthan ("Crossing Jordan") and James Roday (the upcoming feature films DUKES OF HAZZARD and THE DRIVER).

The deal was negotiated on behalf of Lions Gate by Block, Constantine, and Wendy Jaffe, Senior Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs, Acquisitions. Constantin Los Angeles co-presidents Moszkowicz and Robert Kulzer and Executive Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs Marsha Metz negotiated on behalf of Constantin Film.

Lions Gate has already achieved success with horror/thrillers such as the box office smash SAW, the hit thriller OPEN WATER, HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES and CABIN FEVER. SKINWALKERS joins an upcoming slate that includes SAW 2 (Halloween 2005), Rob Zombie's next film THE DEVIL'S REJECTS and the horror thriller HIGH TENSION.

Lions Gate is the premier independent producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library is one of the largest in the entertainment industry. The Lions Gate brand name is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

Constantin Film has been one of the most successful producers and independent distributors of feature films in Germany for more than 20 years. The company, which has been listed on the stock market since 1999, is also involved in the international production of theatrical films in English as well as TV production (TV movies, series, entertainment formats). The production and distribution operations were supplemented successfully in 2004 by license trading and the in-house exploitation of video and DVD rights. Constantin Film's international box office successes include the RESIDENT EVIL franchise and this year's Academy Award nominee DOWNFALL.

http://www.lgf.com/ For further information, please contact: In The U.S. Peter D. Wilkes Sarah Greenberg Lions Gate Entertainment Lions Gate Entertainment pwilkes@lgf.com sgreenberg@lfg.com 310-255-3726 310.255.3856