Lionsgates New Film : CRANK starring Jason Statham

Lakeshore Entertainment and Lions Gate Films, the motion picture acquisition, production and distribution arm of Lions Gate Entertainment (NYSE and TSX: LGF), has begun pre-production on CRANK, it was announced jointly today by Tom Rosenberg, Lakeshore Entertainment’s Chairman and CEO and Michael Paseornek, President of Production, Lions Gate Films. The Transporter 2’s Jason Statham (The Italian Job, Snatch) is attached to star in the film, which is being produced by Lakeshore Entertainment, and will begin principal photography in Los Angeles in late October.

A fast-paced action thriller ,CRANK follows hit man Chev Chelios (Statham) who discovers that he has been poisoned and sets off on a desperate, destruction-filled odyssey for revenge while trying to save himself and protect his girlfriend. As the clock ticks, Chelios cuts a swath through the streets of Los Angeles, wreaking havoc on those who dare stand in his way.

The adrenaline-fueled action film is based on an original screenplay written by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, who will also direct, marking their feature directorial debut. The film will be produced by Rosenberg, Lakeshore’s President Gary Lucchesi, and Radical Media’s Michael Davis. Lions Gate will distribute the film in the US while sharing foreign distribution rights with Lakeshore International.

"Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor have written an intense, action-packed thrill ride that immediately captured our imaginations, and their expertise with action movies make them the perfect team to helm ‘CRANK.’ We are thrilled to have rising star Jason Statham in the lead, and are looking forward to working with our friends at Lakeshore and Radical Media," said Paseornek.

"Jason's the ideal action star to play this explosive, unique and physically demanding role created by Brain and Mark. We are thrilled to have him and we are also excited to be partnering with Lions Gate once again." said Rosenberg