Lions Gate Feeling Cool

SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lions Gate Films, the motion picture acquisition, production and distribution arm of Lions Gate Entertainment Toronto, has signed a multi-year, multi-picture development and production deal with LL Cool J aka James Todd Smith, it was announced today by Michael Paseornek, President of Production, Lions Gate Films. LL Cool J and his manager Jason Barrett will be producing all pictures through this venture.

"We are thrilled to be working with a talent like LL Cool J," said Paseornek. "LL and Jason fit perfectly with our mandate to continue to be the leading producer of films for the urban market."

"It is a wonderful opportunity to be in business with Lions Gate which has demonstrated a knack for success with urban audiences. This is the perfect transition for me as I can now pour all the energy and creative juices I have learned over the years into this fresh and exciting producing venture. As the movie business evolves, I know we can stay ahead of the curve in producing and developing quality material," said LL Cool J.

Paseornek and John Sacchi, Senior Vice President of Production will oversee production on behalf of Lions Gate Films, with LL Cool J Incorporated and Jason Barrett of Alchemy Entertainment producing. Lions Gate Films will retain all worldwide rights with Nicolas Meyer, President of Lions Gate International, and Stephanie Denton, President of Lions Gate Films International, brokering rights internationally.

Robert Melnik, Executive Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of Lions Gate Films. The William Morris Agency along with attorney Jason Sloan of Sloan, Webber, Offer and Dern represented LL Cool J aka James Todd Smith and Jason Barrett.

LL Cool J Incorporated, founded in 1986, is the multi-media artist performance and representation company for the rapper/actor/entrepreneur, LL Cool J. LL Cool J Inc.'s ventures include feature-length motion picture projects, artist recording projects, music video projects, and product endorsement ventures with apparel manufacturers, beverage companies and not-for-profit organizations.

Alchemy Entertainment is a management/production company specializing in managing actors, writers and directors. On the Producing side, Alchemy is involved in packaging motion pictures and television and setting up financing and co-financing deals with major, mini-major and independent companies. On the management side, Alchemy oversees the careers of various clients advising and steering their careers through all stages of development.

Lions Gate is the premier independent producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library is one of the largest in the entertainment industry. The Lions Gate brand name is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

http://www.lgf.com/ CONTACT: Sarah Greenberg, 310-255-3856 sgreenberg@lgf.com