Santa Monica, CA, and Vancouver, BC, March 6, 2024 – Chad Stahelski, the visionary billion-dollar director behind all four of Lionsgate's John Wick films, has finalized a multi-year first-look production deal with the studio and his production company 87Eleven Entertainment. The deal was announced today by Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.
The announcement comes just weeks after Stahelski signed on to direct a reimagination of the Highlander franchise as his next feature film, while also assuming creative oversight of the Highlander and John Wick franchises across film, television, and all multimedia platforms. The director and his team at 87Eleven Entertainment have taken the lead in designing a comprehensive multiplatform content strategy for both franchises.
The new deal extends and expands a growing partnership between the studio and the filmmaker.
"Chad and his team at 8711 Entertainment are profoundly talented filmmakers and creative collaborators," said Fogelson. "They raise the bar of excellence on every project they take on, and we are looking to Chad to bring us the best new original action projects that we can work on together and turn into the next hits and franchises."
“Lionsgate has been my home studio throughout my career as a feature director, so it only makes sense that I would base our film production business with the team that has been such extraordinary partners for so many years," said Stahelski.
Stahelski has created and defined the action, pace, look, and style of each of the John Wick films, all four of which have been commercial and critical successes. John Wick: Chapter 4 was the highest grossing film in the billiondollar film series, generating more than $440 million worldwide, and was the most critically acclaimed film of the franchise, scoring 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. Working with the franchise producers, Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, Stahelski serves as an executive producer of the John
Wick spinoff Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas as an assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma, which will hit theaters next year under the direction of Len Wiseman.
Stahelski is aided by his key team at 87Eleven Entertainment Jason Spitz and Alex Young. Stahelski is represented by WME, attorney Tara Kole, and Mortimer PR. Lionsgate's Bonnie Stylides oversaw the dealmaking on behalf of the studio.
About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations aligned with the STARZ premium subscription platform to bring a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. The Company’s film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a 20,000+ title library and a valuable collection of iconic film and television franchises. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for audiences worldwide.
Steve Elzer
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