Cannes: Arclight, China’s Huace Ink Deal With ‘Lights Out’ Writers

Following their first collaboration, the female-led action movie Lights Out, Arclight Films and China’s Huace Media have inked a development deal with writers Jeff Byrd and Lamont Magee to create original features.

Arclight, which teamed up with Huace at AFM last year, said it was working with Huace to package the movie and that a leading Chinese actress was in final negotiations on Lights Out.

French director Xavier Gens has been attached to direct Lights Out, and production begins this summer.

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“We believe Lights Out is shaping up to be a Chinese female superhero franchise that the market has never seen and we are happy to be onboard this ride with Arclight Films, a company that has a real understanding of the Chinese marketplace,” said Jon Chiew, head of international film for Huace Pictures.

Arclight and Huace Media were working with Jane Wan, who produced last year’s Berlinale winner Black Coal, Thin Ice, said Gary Hamilton, managing director of Arclight Films. “This is what a great creative collaboration of East-West should be. We are thrilled.”

Lights Out follows the plight of Emma Mitchell, a woman in her 20s forced to fight for her life when her dilapidated, Louisiana, plantation-styled home is inexplicably targeted by a crew of international gangsters.  

Byrd is repped by Ryan Saul and Jack Leighton at APA and manager Adam Robinson at The Rookery.  Magee is repped by Saul and Hamilton, and attorney Matt Rosen from Stone, Meyer, Genow, Smelkinson and Binder. Gens is represented by Scott Henderson of Paradigm and Bard Dorros of Anonymous Content.