Focus takes 'Kick-Ass' abroad with UPI

Multiterritory pact between Focus, Lionsgate

By Stuart Kemp

Nov 19, 2009, 09:46 AM ET

LONDON -- Matthew Vaughn's action comedy "Kick-Ass" will storm theaters in the U.K., Germany, Australia, Latin America, Austria, Switzerland and New Zealand via Universal Pictures International after a multiterritory pact struck between Focus Features International and Lionsgate international sales unit Mandate International.

FFI co-CEO Christian Grass and Lionsgate president and co-COO Joe Drake, who also oversees Mandate, announced the multiterritory deal.

Vaughn's movie will be released stateside via Lionsgate from April next year while FFI will rollout the Nicolas Cage starrer using UPI's distribution network in the seven territories from the same month.

The deal was negotiated by Focus president Andrew Karpen and Drake, wearing his Mandate hat.

Directed, produced and co-written by Vaughn, "Kick-Ass" is based on a comic book by Mark Millar ("Wanted") and John Romita Jr.

Vaughn co-wrote the script with his "Stardust" writing partner Jane Goldman and it details the story of average teenager who decides to take his obsession with comic books as inspiration to become a real-life superhero. The only problem is he has no superpowers.

Producers also include Brad Pitt, Kris Thykier, Adam Bohling, David Reid and Tarquin Pack. The executive producers are Pierre Lagrange, Stephen Marks, Millar, Romita and Jeremy Kleiner.

Focus takes 'Kick-Ass' abroad with UPI

Multiterritory pact between Focus, Lionsgate

By Stuart Kemp

Nov 19, 2009, 09:46 AM ET