Movie News


TRANSPORTER 3 A Go For Lionsgate

By: Jarrod Sarafin
Date: Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Source: Lionsgate Press Release

Lionsgate has sent out a press release indicating their intent to distribute the next installment of the Transporter franchise with Jason Statham set to reprise his character. See below.

Lionsgate announced today that it has acquired U.S. and Canadian distribution rights to Transporter 3. Jason Statham returns as iconic action hero Frank Martin in the third installment of the EuropaCorp-produced series. The announcement was made today by Lionsgate's Jason Constantine, head of Acquisitions and Co-Productions, and Tom Ortenberg, President, Theatrical Films.

Olivier Megaton directs from a script written by Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen. The movie is produced by EuropaCorp, TF1 Films Productions, Grive Productions and Apipoulai Production, in association with Current Entertainment. Besson produces for EuropaCorp. Lionsgate will release the film at Thanksgiving, on November 26, 2008. The film will be distributed in Canada by Maple Pictures.

Constantine expressed the studio's excitement about the project, stating, "We are thrilled to be in business with EuropaCorp and to also partner again with Jason Statham, who from 'War' to 'Crank' and its upcoming sequel, is a well known and well-loved leading man in so many of Lionsgate's high octane action films. We are delighted to add another film in the exciting 'Transporter' action franchise to stand alongside such other iconic Lionsgate franchises as 'Saw,' Tyler Perry and 'The Punisher.'"


Besson said, "We are thrilled to be sharing this experience with Lionsgate, and happy to get along with a great marketing and distribution team." EuropaCorp COO Pierre-Ange Le Pogam concurred, "Lionsgate is a dynamic group, who we know will more than do justice to our dearest 'Transporter' opus 3. Everyone here is working hard to get ready to provoke and inflame the market for Thanksgiving."

The film, starring Robert Knepper ("Prison Break") alongside Statham and returning cast member Francois Berleand (Place Vendome), wrapped principal photography in early May and is currently in post-production.



More Content By Jarrod Sarafin
Bana and Gray Team Up for ARMORED Heist
(Friday, October 10, 2008)
Goyer's Supernatural UNBORN Trailer Appears
(Friday, October 10, 2008)
Mader, Clooney and McGregor Go Psychic in GOATS
(Friday, October 10, 2008)
New TWILIGHT Bootleg Trailer Online
(Friday, October 10, 2008)
Orphanage Director Bayona Takes on HATER
(Friday, October 10, 2008)
Top Maniacal Rumors: Brolin Hex, Gosling's Lantern and Deadpool Reynolds
(Friday, October 10, 2008)
V Returning to Television?
(Friday, October 10, 2008)
Academy Allows Movie Ads During OSCARS
(Thursday, October 9, 2008)
Fox Unleashes Full Gallery of MAX PAYNE
(Thursday, October 9, 2008)
Jamie Foxx Seeks Revenge in CITIZEN
(Thursday, October 9, 2008)
Fandango Logo
Comments/Responses
1
DGEKSTROM • Jun 03, 2008, 04:47am •
Good lord. Jason Statham loves milking franchises just as much as the producers do. It seems that he's willing to do almost any film(regardless how bad it may be), just so long as he gets a big paycheck. Is the guy really that strapped for cash? Is all that money burning a hole in his pocket? I doubt it, but considering the guy hasn't said "no" to a bad film yet(Dungeon Siege, Transporter 2, War, and possibly Crank 2), just solidifies how desperate the guy may be for money.

WISEGUY562 • Jun 03, 2008, 05:32am •
Well, he did The Bank Job that by all accounts is a pretty damn good film and he turns in a solid performance. I can't say since I missed it. But I have no problem with him doing all these action flicks. I don't see him as an Oscar contender so why not be who you are, especially when you're good at it. He is our action hero right now, even if it's by default. Looking forward to his Death Race later this year and Transporter 3 not long after.

fft5305 • Jun 03, 2008, 09:20am •
As long as people keep seeing them, and the studios are willing to keep paying him, I don't see him saying, "Nah. Keep your ginormous paycheck. I'm going to do an independent romantic comedy."

But speaking of milking franchises, what's up the Brazilian Job?

Moz72 • Jun 03, 2008, 10:39pm •
Anyone see Statham in Guy Ritchie's Revolver?

scytheofluna • Jun 04, 2008, 10:36am •
He was brilliant in Snatch, Lockstock, and the first Transporter. He's got a lot of potential, but keeps choosing lousy material.

scytheofluna • Jun 04, 2008, 10:37am •
I heard Revolver was a botched job, with some good moments. We'll see how Rockinrolla' turns out, even though Statham isn't in it. God, Madonna fucked up Guy Ritchie's career, his first two films were great, and then straight downhill from there. Poor bastard.

videocide • Jun 04, 2008, 10:24pm •
Wasn't it a few months ago we weren't even sure this movie was getting made an/or wether or not Statham was going to be in it. Now its done? I must've missed something working all those all hours.

1
Login to post a comment!