‘The Revenant’ – Horror Comedy teams up with Lightning Entertainment and Paladin

Worldwide rights holder Lightning Entertainment has struck a deal with notable New York-based independent distribution company Paladin to handle the theatrical release of the award-winning horror comedy THE REVENANT, it was announced today by Lightning president Robert Beaumont, and Paladin’s president Mark Urman.

Paladin plans to release the film theatrically in August in an initial 10 markets. That same day, the film will be available as a premium V.O.D., as part of an event driven day-and-date Ultra VOD bow through Lightning’s distribution arm, Lightning Media.

The DVD will be released through Lionsgate under Lightning Media’s on-going partnership with the company.

The deal with Paladin was negotiated by Lightning Entertainment’s Joseph Dickstein, SVP of acquisitions and Audrey Delaney, VP of acquisitions and business development, and Paladin’s Urman.

LIGHTNING MEDIA WILL RELEASE THE FILM SIMULTANEOUSLY ON PREMIUM V.O.D.

Starring David Anders (the CW’s “The Vampire Diaries”) and Chris Wylde (THE TEN), THE REVENANT is written and directed by acclaimed visual effects expert D. Kerry Prior (PHANTASM franchise, AIR FORCE ONE, STARSHIP TROOPERS). Prior also produced the film along with Liam Finn (TRAINING DAY) and Jacques Thelemaque (MIDNIGHT MOVIE).

A horror comedy in the vein of SHAUN OF THE DEAD and ZOMBIELAND, THE REVENANT tells the story of a soldier and his slacker best friend who become zombies, and then use their newfound powers to become vigilante crime fighters with hilariously mixed results when their adventures become more complicated and bloody than expected.

A breakout hit on the film festival circuit, THE REVENANT has garnered exceptional reviews and won numerous awards including the Best Director and Audience Awards at Fantastic Fest and Zompire (the Undead Film Festival), and the Audience Award at CineVegas; and played to packed houses at top festivals like Sitges, the Brussels International Film Fest, and the Fantasia Film Festival.

“We are thrilled that THE REVENANT has found a theatrical home at Paladin,” said Beaumont. “Mark’s prowess in theatrical distribution, as well as his well-honed skills in the U.S. independent marketplace, ensures that this film will have a long and successful future.”

“Kerry’s film is an extremely clever and stylish take on zombie folklore, and the praise he garners from our theatrical release will almost certainly excite the genre’s fans and position him as a director to watch. I look forward to collaborating with Lightning Entertainment on this project, and expect it will be the first of several we do together,” said Urman.