Film Marks Feature Film Debut of Ashlee Simpson
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Principal
photography begins this week in Los Angeles, CA on WANNABE it was announced
today by Mike Paseornek, President of Production, Lions Gate Films, the motion
picture production and distribution arm of Lions Gate Entertainment
(NYSE: LGF; Toronto). Lions Gate Films has North American rights with
Lakeshore Entertainment handling international sales and distribution.
The film stars Pell James (The King, Uptown Girls), Steven Strait (Sky
High) and Ashlee Simpson (Seventh Heaven, The Ashlee Simpson Show), making her
feature film debut. Also starring Shannyn Sossamon (40 Days and 40 Nights, A
Knights Tale), Fisher Stevens (The Flamingo Kid, Hackers) and Carrie Fisher
(Star Wars, When Harry Met Sally) with Kip Pardue (Remember The Titans,
Thirteen). Meiert Avis, the acclaimed music video director and documentary
filmmaker who has worked extensively with U2, Melissa Etheridge, Bruce
Springsteen and Audio Slave, directs. He was recently nominated for an MTV
Video Music Award for best breakthrough video for New Found Glory's "All Down
Hill From Here." The film is being produced by Michael Burns of Lions Gate;
Tom Rosenberg and Gary Luchessi of Lakeshore Entertainment; Michael Ohoven and
Marco Mehlitz for Cinerenta, executive produced by Joe Simpson and Eberhard
Kayser, and will be photographed by Danny Hiele.
Set in the world of up-and-coming artists, WANNABE is a heartfelt and
comic film that tells the story of an aspiring model who falls in love with a
struggling musician when they suddenly cross paths on a NY subway train.
Having achieved success as a NY model, Brier (James) decides to move to L.A.
to launch an acting career. With the support of her acerbic agent and
sometimes surrogate mom, Carrie (Fisher), Brier lands a spot in a highly
sought after acting class where she befriends another would-be actress, Clea
(Simpson). While out on the town discovering the music scene, Brier again
crosses paths with Luke (Strait), a singer/songwriter who has been toiling for
years without a record deal. Brier and Clea decide to help Luke and
unbeknownst to him, they set out to create some L.A. style hype to get him
noticed. As Luke's profile rises, so do the demands of his budding new
career. When Luke and Brier can't hide the spark that was always there, they
both discover that the price of fame may be higher than anyone expected.
"We are very excited to be bringing together such a talented cast with an
acclaimed director for an uplifting romantic comedy about the trials and
tribulations associated with fame," said Paseornek.
Lions Gate Entertainment 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 of approximately 8000 titles 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 globe.
Lakeshore Entertainment's upcoming slate includes the Clint Eastwood
directed MILLION DOLLAR BABY starring Eastwood, Hilary Swank and Morgan
Freeman set for release this December by Warner Bros; the action/horror film
THE CAVE to be released by Screen Gems, March 2005.
About Cinerenta
For over a quarter of a century, Cinerenta has been a consistent force in
international film production and financing. With a combination of in-house
expertise about the motion picture industry and financial markets, and a
worldwide network of strategic alliances with producers, sales agents and
distributors, since 1976, Cinerenta has managed profitable film production
investment funds worth a combined total of nearly $1 billion. Based in
Germany, this privately-held company has produced or co-produced 58 films,
30 in the past three years alone. Titles have ranged from Kramer vs. Kramer
and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, to the international box office hit
Jeepers Creepers, and the Academy Award two-time nominee, The Contender.
Cinerenta is currently producing and financing Just Friends starring Ryan
Reynolds and Amy Smart.
For further information please contact: Sarah Greenberg of Lions Gate
Entertainment, +1-310-255-3856, sgreenberg@lgf.com; or Julie Polkes of Wannabe
Productions, +1-310-854-8119, jpolkes@rogersandcowan.com.
http://www.lgf.com
SOURCE Lions Gate Entertainment
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Related links:
http://www.lgf.com
CONTACT:
Sarah Greenberg of Lions Gate Entertainment,
+1-310-255-3856, sgreenberg@lgf.com; or Julie Polkes of Wannabe
Productions, +1-310-854-8119, jpolkes@rogersandcowan.com
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