Tag Archives: Vertical Entertainment

Eiza González’s Latest Film Closes International Distribution Deals

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Eiza González’s latest project is going global…

Black Bear has closed several international deals on Guy Ritchie’s next project, an untitled action film starring the 33-year-old Mexican actress and singer.

Eiza GonzálezThe film, which also stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Henry Cavill, recently wrapped principal photography in Spain.

Black Bear will directly distribute in the UK and Ireland and sold the film to buyers including Elevation Pictures in Canada, Roadshow Films in Australia, Leonine Studios in Germany, Metropolitan Filmexport in France, Sun Distribution in Latin America and Spain, Leone Film Group in Italy, Nordisk Film in Scandinavia, The Searchers in Benelux, Vertical Entertainment in Eastern Europe and Ascot Elite in Switzerland.

Other sales include Cinemundo in Portugal, The Film Group in Greece, Forum Film in Israel, ACME Film in the Baltics, Caribbean Cinemas in the West Indies, PT Prima in Indonesia, Sahamongkolfilm in Thailand and Mockingbird in Vietnam.

Lionsgate had previously picked up U.S. distribution rights.

Plot details are being kept under wraps but the film reportedly has an element of The Expendables to it. The action film sees Ritchie reteaming with Gyllenhaal, who played the lead role in The Covenant, as well as Cavill and González, both of whom star in his movie The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

Ritchie produces the new untitled film alongside longtime producing partner Ivan Atkinson and Black Bear’s John Friedberg.

 

Vertical Entertainment to Release Bella Thorne’s “Measure of Revenge” in North America Next Month

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Bella Thorne will be exacting revenge at your local theater…

Vertical Entertainment has acquired North American rights to the psychological thriller Measure of Revenge, starring the 24-year-old half-Cuban American actress/singer.

Bella Thorne, Measure of RevengeThe film, which also stars Melissa Leo and Jake Weary, is slated for a day-and-date release on March 18.

In the debut feature of Malaysian helmer Peyfa, Broadway actress Lillian Cooper (Leo) is making her final on-stage appearance when her famous son, Curtis (Weary), is found dead. When his death is ruled as an accidental overdose, a suspicious Lillian decides to take matters into her own hands. On a quest for answers, she strikes up an unlikely alliance with her son’s drug dealer, Taz (Thorne), setting in motion a bloody warpath to uncover the truth, inspired by the characters she portrayed on stage.

Measure of Revenge also stars Roma Maffia, Adrian Martinez and Benedict Samuel. Jen Gatien produced with Peter Wong and Timur Bekbosunov for ACE Pictures Entertainment. Johnny Chang, Bronwyn Cornelius and Emma Lee exec produced, with Jay Cannold co-producing.

“Melissa steps into this role of a grieving and relentless mother seeking justice for her son with such ease that it draws the viewer deeply into her journey and keeps you captivated and rooting for her every step of the way,” said Vertical Entertainment Partner Peter Jarowey.

“We are excited to partner up with Vertical Entertainment on Measure of Revenge to release a film that is an emotional and thrilling experience filled with mystery and surprise,” added Gatien, Wong and Bekbosunov in a joint statement. “Melissa Leo delivers a powerful and energetic performance in the role of a mother hellbent on revenge, forming great screen chemistry with the immensely talented Bella Thorne. We can’t wait for audiences to discover the film.”

Roadside Attractions & Vertical Entertainment Acquire North American Rights to Aubrey Plaza’s Thriller “Emily the Criminal”

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Aubrey Plaza’s latest project is getting some roadside assistance…

Roadside Attractions and Vertical Entertainment have acquired the North American rights to the 37-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress’ indie thriller Emily the Criminal.

Aubrey Plaza, Emily the CriminaThey’ve slated the film for an exclusive theatrical release this year, with Redbox joining the partnership for home entertainment distribution.

John Patton Ford’s feature directorial debut follows Emily (Plaza), who is saddled with student debt and locked out of the job market due to a minor criminal record. Desperate for income, she takes a shady gig as a “dummy shopper,” buying goods with stolen credit cards supplied by a handsome and charismatic middleman named Youcef (Theo Rossi). Faced with a series of dead-end job interviews, Emily soon finds herself seduced by the quick cash and illicit thrills of black-market capitalism, and increasingly interested in her mentor Youcef. Together, they hatch a plan to bring their business to the next level in Los Angeles.

Ford penned the original screenplay, with Megalyn Echikunwoke and Gina Gershon rounding out the cast.

Plaza produced the film through her Evil Hag Productions banner,.

“John Patton Ford’s propulsive thriller Emily The Criminal is a spectacular directing debut with a revelatory performance from Aubrey Plaza as a wildly entertaining antiheroine that recalls Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde,” said Roadside Attractions’ Co-Presidents Howard Cohen & Eric d’Arbeloff.

“When we saw the film, we knew we had to have it. It is an exceptional story that is sure to excite and thrill audiences,” said Vertical Entertainment’s Partner & CEO Peter Jarowey. “We are excited to bring two long-standing collaborators in Roadside and Redbox together on one film that we care so deeply about. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”

“We continue to believe in the importance of the theatrical experience and the power of watching movies together on a big screen,” added the filmmakers in a joint statement, “and couldn’t be more excited and confident in our stellar partners at Roadside and Vertical to connect our film with audiences everywhere.”

Vertical Entertainment Acquires U.S. Rights to Eva Longoria’s Comedy “Unplugging” 

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Eva Longoria will be unplugging next spring…

Vertical Entertainment has acquired the U.S. rights to the comedy Unplugging, starring the 46-year-old Mexican American actress and former Desperate Housewives star, with plans to release it in theaters nationwide next spring.

Eva LongoriaThe film also stars Matt Walsh, Lea Thompson, Keith David and Nicole Byer.

In the feature directorial debut of veteran film editor Debra Neil-Fisher, husband and wife Dan (Walsh) and Jeanine (Longoria) plan a weekend getaway of “digital detox” without kids, phones, or social media. They need—or think they need—only clean fresh air and alone time together to rekindle their romance. But once they forego GPS to guide them and disconnect from the internet, can they reconnect their own internal servers to spark their marriage?

Johnny Pemberton, Al Madrigal, Joel Kim Booster, and Nancy Friedrich round out the cast of the film, scripted by Walsh and Brad Morris.

Longoria executive produced the film.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better time in the director’s chair than with this marvelous cast captained by Eva and Matt, and our dedicated crew,” said Neil-Fisher. “Vertical is the perfect partner to bring Unplugging to audiences next spring.”

“Unplugging unites great talents in front of and behind the camera,” said Vertical Entertainment Partner Rich Goldberg, “and Debra’s storied skills as editor translate to a keen directorial eye for comedy.”

“Having previously partnered on many successful releases (Four Good Days, Buckley’s Chance) we know our friends at Vertical are the perfect distributor to bring the hilarious Unplugging to US audiences,” added Santor, who serves as Productivity Media’s CEO. “Eva and Matt are at the top of their game in this whip-smart, comedic look at relationships in the digital age, and we’re sure audiences will love it just as much as we loved making it.”

Vertical Entertainment Acquires North American Rights to Daniela Gonzalez’s Indie Horror Film “La Patasola”

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Daniela Gonzalez’s latest project is heading to theaters…

Vertical Entertainment has acquired the North American rights to the indie horror film La Patasola, which was co-created by the Latina actress/writer.

Daniela Gonzalez, La Patasola

From Glass House Distribution, the project should be released in theaters in at least 10 major markets, and across streaming media and other platforms, on January 14, 2022.

Shot over a 21-day period in a COVID-19-free bubble just outside of Orlando, Florida, La Patasola follows two struggling couples whose relationships, morality and will to survive are tested when they’re haunted by a famed vampiric monster from South American folklore.

Actor and writer AJ Jones directed the film in his feature directorial debut, from a script he wrote with Shaun Mathis, which was based on a story he created with Gonzalez (Frenemies).

Gonzales and Jones also appear in the film alongside Luciana Faulhaber, Patrick R. Walker, Najah Bradley, Gillie Jones, Jack Young and Mark Pettit.

Young, Gillie Jones and Carlos Velasco produced.

“La Patasola is a character-driven horror that we feel is going to appeal to a wide audience,” said Vertical Entertainment’s SVP of Acquisitions, Tony Piantedosi. “We were drawn to the story, mythology and the way the monster was brought to life—and think fans are really going to enjoy this film.”

“Now that Vertical Entertainment has signed on as our distribution partner in North America, we’re excited to present La Patasola to buyers at AFM and to audiences around the world in 2022,” added Glass House Distribution President, Tom Malloy.

Vertical Entertainment Acquires North American Rights to Rodrigo Garcia’s Addiction Drama “Four Good Days”

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Good days ahead for Rodrigo Garcia…

Vertical Entertainment has acquired the North American rights to the 61-year-old Colombian television and film director, screenwriter and former cinematographer’s Four Good Days, a drama starring his Albert Nobbs star Glenn Close and Mila Kunis.

Rodrigo Garcia

The film, which bowed at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, will now hit theaters April 30 and be available on-demand on May 21.

Based on a true story by Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post writer Eli Saslow and adapted by Saslow and Garcia, the film centers on 31-year-old Molly (Kunis) who begs her estranged mother Deb (Close) for save her from the grip of heroin addiction in a poignant and unpredictable chronicle of mother and daughter fighting to regain the love and trust that once held them together. Stephen Root also stars along with a cast that includes Chad Lindberg, Rebecca Field, Joshua Leonard, Michael Hyatt and Sam Hennings.

The film is produced by Jon Avnet, Marina Grasic, Jake Avnet, Jai Khanna and Garcia.

The film is presented by Oakhurst Entertainment, financed by Productivity Media and produced by Garcia’s Indigenous Media.

“We are excited to share the impactful message and impeccable performances by Mila Kunis and Glenn Close in Four Good Days with audiences this spring,” said Rich Goldberg, co-president of Vertical Entertainment. “The film, based on a true story, gives audiences a window into the struggle of a mother and daughter trying to rebuild their relationship after a long battle with drug abuse. The conversation around addiction can be complex and difficult for family members to have and we strongly feel that audiences, and most importantly families, will empathize with these characters and possibly even open up the discussion about drug abuse with one another.”

Vertical Entertainment Acquires Rights to Rosario Dawson’s Animated Action Comedy “Henchmen”

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Rosario Dawson and her henchmen are coming to your home…

Vertical Entertainment has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Henchmen, the Bron Animation action comedy featuring the voices of the 41-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American actress,  Thomas Middleditch and James Marsden.

Rosario Dawson

Adam Wood wrote and directed the film, marking his feature-length directorial debut.

Based on a story by Jay D. Waxman and Wood, the film will be available on digital platforms on October 9.

Henchmen

Here’s the synopsis: In a world of super-villains, evil schemes and global domination, someone has to take out the trash. Welcome to the world of Henchmen, third class. When Lester (Middleditch), a fresh-faced recruit, joins the Union of Evil, he is assigned to a motley crew of blue-collar workers led by fallen henchmen Hank. But when Lester accidentally steals a super-villain’s ultimate weapon, Hank must break his risk-nothing code to save the boy he’s befriended, even if it means becoming the one thing he has always avoided: a hero.

Additional voice performers include Nathan Fillion, Jane Krakowski, Rob Riggle, Bobcat Goldthwait and Craig Robinson.

Brenda Gilbert and Luke Carroll produced for Bron Animation.

“We loved the idea of exploring the fantastical world of superhero villains,” says Gilbert of the film. “We couldn’t be more thrilled for the film to have found a home at Vertical and we hope children and families will enjoy the imaginative story of the Henchmen.”

“There is a lot of heavy stuff happening in the world right now, so it’s exciting for us at Vertical to share a film that can provide some levity and laughs for everyone in the family” said Rich Goldberg, co-president of Vertical Entertainment. “Henchmen marries the fun of an animated movie with the excitement of superhero flick, and we think it’ll be a perfect movie for anyone to gather around safely at home.”

Dawson’s previous credits include Sin City, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, César Chávez and Zombieland: Double Tap.

Vertical Entertainment Acquires North American Rights to John Leguizamo’s Feature Directorial Debut “Critical Thinking”

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It’s the perfect endgame for John Leguizamo…

Vertical Entertainment has acquired the North American rights to the 56-year-old Colombian actor/comedian’s feature directorial debut Critical Thinking, which he also stars in and produced.

John Leguizamo

Written by Dito Montiel, Critical Thinkingtells the 1998 true story of five LatinX and Black teenagers from Miami Jackson Senior High School, located in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Miami, who fight their way into the National Chess Championship under the guidance of their unconventional but inspirational teacher. 

The movie will hit VOD/digital on September 4.

“In today’s fractured society with so many disenfranchised young adults, in our country and around the world, this is a story which can and will inspire all of us to do better, keep focused and stay positive,” said Leguizamo. “With Critical Thinkingwe wanted to create a universal message of hope and spread this message to the world.”

“Given the challenges that many are facing right now, it gives the team at Vertical great pleasure to bring a story this inspiring to screens everywhere,” said Rich Goldberg, co-president of Vertical Entertainment. “It’s a story that celebrates young people who were brave enough to believe in themselves, and we hope audiences will walk away feeling the same.”

Rachel Bay Jones and Michael Kenneth Williams also star in the feature. 

The film was produced by Scott Rosenfelt and Jason Mandl, as well as executive produced by Harvey R. Chaplin, Carla Berkowitz and Emilio Estefan Jr.

Bella Thorne’s “Infamous” Heading to Drive-In Theaters in July

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Bella Thorne’s headed to the drive-in…

Vertical Entertainment will debut the 22-year-old half-Cuban American actress/singer’s action-crime thriller Infamous in close to three dozen drive-ins on the East Coast, in the Midwest and the South. The move comes as the country continues to seek movie-viewing alternatives in the slow recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Bella Thorne in Infamous

The film will also be available in digital virtual cinemas, all starting on Friday, June 12.

Infamous was written and directed by Joshua Caldwell.

Thorne plays Arielle, a young woman who lives in a small Florida town, stuck in a diner job. Arielle has always wanted more: fame, popularity and admiration. But when she falls for a recently paroled young criminal named Dean, she drags him back into a life of danger, learning that posting their criminal exploits on social media is an easy way to viral fame. They embark on a dangerous adventure together that leads to robbery, cop chases, and murder.

The film also stars Jake Manley and Amber Riley.