Lions Gate acquires Kevin Spacey film
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp LGF
Shares issued 30,539,917 1999-09-22 close $2.6
Thursday Sep 23 1999
Mr. Mark Urman reports
Lions Gate has acquired North American rights to the Big Kahuna, the first film produced by Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey's Trigger Street Productions, it was announced by Lions Gate co-presidents, Mark Urman and Tom Ortenberg. Spacey, who stars with Danny DeVito and Peter Facinelli, produced the film with Elie Samaha and Andrew Stevens. Gerard Guez is executive producer. Lions Gate plans a wide release for the film next spring.
"Being that this film was my baby, I was careful to see that it be placed in the right hands," said Spacey. "Lions Gate has proven themselves with unique films like Gods & Monsters, and Affliction that, in many ways, were marketing challenges. They mounted campaigns that not only achieved attention from a mainstream audience but also a great number of Academy Award nominations."
"Mark and I immediately recognized that we were experiencing something special when we saw the film in Toronto," said Mr. Ortenberg. "We are delighted that Kevin Spacey, who is familiar with our successes, viewed his project as a Lions Gate film."
"We pride ourselves on the world-class talent we are able to attract to Lions Gate," added Mr. Urman. "Kevin Spacey and Danny DeVito are brilliant here and the film also delivers a breakout performance from Peter Facinelli and a dynamic new director in John Swanbeck."
The Big Kahuna illustrates both the professional and personal pressures placed upon three traveling industrial lubricant salesmen and the desperate measures taken to ensure the big sale. Larry (Kevin Spacey), the smooth talker who seems to know everything about anything, and Phil (Danny DeVito) the seasoned veteran, both know their careers are on the line if they can't close a pending lucrative deal. Bob (Peter Facinelli) is the new kid on the team who holds all of their futures in his inexperienced hands. |
