Anil Kapoor, Lionsgate to co-produce blockbuster action comedy movie Red'

Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a premier next generation global content leader, and Indian movie star Anil Kapoor, operating through his production vehicle AKFC Network, will remake the movie Red in Hindi for the Indian marketplace, the two companies announced today.

This partnership and deal was orchestrated and negotiated by Rohit Tiwari at Morris Street Advisors, Lionsgate's exclusive non-theatrical distribution agent in India and the region.

Udayan Bhat, COO of AKFC Network said, “The management team at Lionsgate and Rohit Tiwari have been wonderful in securing the rights and the deal for the partnership. We hope this is the beginning of a long term relationship with Lionsgate. Lots more to come.”

Red is inspired by the 2010 North American box office blockbuster of the same name, produced and released by Lionsgate’s Summit Entertainment label, that boasted an ensemble cast including Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Karl Urban and Mary-Louise Parker.  The film tells the story of a former black-ops agent Frank Moses who, when his peaceful life is threatened by a high-tech assassin, reassembles his old team in a last ditch effort to survive and uncover his assailants. 

Speaking on the deal, Rohit Tiwari, CEO & Managing Director of Morris Street Advisors said, “This partnership between Lionsgate and AKFC Network is a great platform to bring the best of entertainment from the West to our Indian audience. We are glad that Morris Street Advisors could help getting the rights and the deal for this blockbuster movie with an icon like Anil Kapoor.”

This will be the first film jointly produced by the two companies and Lionsgate’s second film in India (following Brothers, Lionsgate’s successful remake of its film Warrior).  AKFC Network and Lionsgate are currently finalizing the cast for the film, which is scheduled to go into production in August 2016.

“We’re delighted to partner with our friend Anil Kapoor, a huge brand name with Indian audiences, in the remake of our box office blockbuster Red,” said Lionsgate Executive Vice President of International Sales Wendy Reeds.  “We’re proud to continue building our business in India, and we have the ideal partner and the perfect property to bring Indian audiences a film distinguished by its stellar talent, nonstop action and incredible excitement and suspense.”

"After successfully adapting 24: Season 1 and Season 2 we are looking forward to remaking Red for the Indian audience,” said Anil Kapoor. “This successful movie that boasts a huge multi-star cast is perfect for India as it has all the elements our audience loves - action, drama and comedy mounted on a huge canvas. Also, just as we set new benchmarks in television with 24, we intend to revive the multi-starrer action movie genre that was so popular up to the 90's. We are happy and excited to partner with Lionsgate in co-producing Red and are looking forward to delivering an exciting and high production movie."