Nu Image/Millennium Films and Lionsgate have announced a deal for Lionsgate to acquire North American distribution rights to the film series "Conan the Barbarian", based on author Robert E. Howard's pulp character.The companies recently partnered on "Rambo", which Lionsgate is co-releasing January 25th.
The announcement was jointly made by Danny Dimbort, Trevor Short and Avi Lerner, founders of Nu Image/Millennium Films, and Jason Constantine, Lionsgate Executive Vice President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions.
Nu Image/Millennium's Boaz Davidson and Joe Gatta are producing the film, along with Fredrick Malmberg of Paradox Entertainment, George Furla and Henry Winterstern. Executive producers include Nu Image's Dimbort, Short and Lerner.
Production is slated to start in Bulgaria, summer/fall 2008.
"We could not be happier to be back in business with Lionsgate," said Dimbort. "They have done a phenomenal job with 'Rambo' and know how to release a high-profile property. 'Conan' is an amazing franchise and they will treat it in kind.""We are delighted to join Nu Image/Millennium Films in bringing 'Conan the Barbarian' back to the big screen," said Constantine. "This is a character unlike any other in the action/adventure canon, with an unlimited potential for stories that are exciting and different. And given the production expertise and creativity of our friends at Nu Image/Millennium, this 'Conan' is sure to conquer."
Commented Lerner, "Lionsgate was our choice from the beginning. Jon Feltheimer has a great crew with good instincts, a fantastic understanding of distribution and a wonderful marketing machine. They will give these films the right attention and make them a huge success...."
The announcement was timed to the release of the illustrated book "Conan The Phenomenon", by 'Conan' historian Paul Sammon, a cutting edge look at all the stages of author Robert E. Howard's 'Cimmerian' mercenary, from his 1932 debut in pulp magazine "Weird Fantasy" to the current Dark Horse comic book series.
"Conan: The Phenomenon" also includes archival material from Howard, noted as creator of the 'sword and sorcery' genre, artist Frank Frazetta's definitive "Conan" book cover paintings and 'Hyborian' insights from "Conan" Marvel Comics creatives, writer Roy Thomas and artists Barry Smith, John Buscema...
