Relativity Media has announced three upcoming films, including two homegrown projects that are the distribution arm's first outside of a partnership with another studio.
The announcement — another step in Relativity's aggressive march toward becoming a full-fledged studio — comes just three weeks after Ryan Kavanaugh's company picked up up Overture Films' distribution and marketing operations.
Movies in the works include "Kids in America," a comedy with Topher Grace and Anna Faris; the drama "Dark Fields" with Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper; and "The Warrior's Way," which Relativity is distributing on behalf of its producers.
Relativity paid an estimated $10 million to acquire Overture's assets on July 23. The move was one more step in what appears to be a strategy by Kavanaugh to create a full-fledged independent movie studio.
Press release follows:
Relativity Media Adds Three Films to Distribution Slate
Homegrown titles The Dark Fields and Kids in America to be released via Relativity Distribution and The Warrior’s Way via rent-a-system deal
(Beverly Hills, CA) August 12, 2010– Relativity Media CEO Ryan Kavanaugh announced today that its films, The Dark Fieldsand Kids in Americawill be added to Relativity’s film slate released by its own distribution team. The Warrior’s Waywill additionally be distributed as part of a rent-a-system deal with production companies Emerald City and Sad Flutes. Other upcoming Relativity titles include Fighter, Skyline, Catfishand My Soul To Take, a film by Wes Craven. Relativity’s distribution arm will also be releasing Jack Goes Boating, Let Me In, and Stone via a distribution deal with Overture.
Arriving March 4, 2011 is Kids In Americastarring Topher Grace (Spiderman 3), Anna Faris (The House Bunny), Dan Fogler (Taking Woodstock),Teresa Palmer (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice),Chris Pratt (Wanted) and Michelle Trachtenberg (17 Again). In the vein of a John Hughes film, a recent MIT graduate decides to finally win the heart of his high school crush, who barely knew he existed, by creating a false identity and becoming the person he thinks she wants. The story follows the intersection of the 5 main characters at an all-night, no holds barred party. Michael Dowse (Fubar) directs the script written by Jackie Filgo and Jeff Filgo (Diary of a Wimpy Kid), with Ryan Kavanaugh producing alongside Imagine Entertainment’s Jim Whitaker and Susan Bowen. Executive Producers are Topher Grace, Tucker Tooley, Dany Wolf, and Gordon Kaywin.
Following on March 18, 2011 is the much-anticipated The Dark Fields, starring Oscar®-winner Robert De Niro (Raging Bull), Bradley Cooper (The Hangover), Abbie Cornish (Stop-Loss), and Anna Friel (Land of the Lost). Neil Burger (The Illusionist) directs Leslie Dixon’s (Pay it Forward) script about a copywriter who discovers a top-secret drug which bestows him with super human abilities. As his usage begins to change his life, he begins to consider the drug's shadowy origins; meanwhile, a group of killers trails his every move. The film is produced by Dixon, Scott Kroopf, Ryan Kavanaugh and executive produced by Tucker Tooley.
In theaters December 3, 2010 is TheWarrior’s Way, a visually-stunning modern martial arts western starring Korean actor Dong-gun Jang who plays an Asian warrior assassin forced to hide in a small town in the American Badlands. Rounding out the ensemble cast are Kate Bosworth (Superman Returns), Oscar®-winner Geoffrey Rush (Shine), Danny Houston (The Kingdom), and Tony Cox (The Hustle).The fantasy action film was written and directed by newcomer Sngmoo Lee, and is being produced by Barrie Osborne (Lord of the Rings), Michael Peyser (Hackers) and Jooick Lee (Seven Swords). Relativity is releasing the picture as a rent-a-system deal for Osborne’s Emerald City and Peyser’s Sad Flutes.
“We’re thrilled to be adding these two homegrown Relativity titles to our distribution slate and happy to be releasing The Warrior’s Wayon behalf of Emerald City and Sad Flutes,” said Kavanaugh, adding, “It’s an honor to have such great partnerships in these productions with both the filmmakers and talent.”
Per its arrangement with Relativity, Overture’s Jack Goes Boatingwill be released on September 17, 2010 and expands in the weeks to follow. Let Me Inopens on October 1, 2010 and Stoneon October 8, 2010 as a platform release. All of these dates were previously announced and have not changed since the Relativity partnership.
