Lionsgate Acquires Screenplay for Rogue Posted: Jan 29, 2006

Lionsgate has announce that it has acquired the screenplay Rogue by Lee Anthony Smith and Gregory J. Bradley and plans to fast-track the thriller for a spring 2006 production start date. Jet-Li and Jason Statham will star in the film and Philip G. Atwell is also set to direct with Cory Yuen as the Martial Arts Action designer.

Rogue details the actions of an infamous assassin “Rogue” (Jet Li) who has recently set off a bloody crime war between two rival Asian mobs. When Rogue kills FBI agent Jack Crawford’s (Jason Statham) partner, Crawford starts a deadly game of cat and mouth with "Rogue" to settle the score. Principal photography on Rogue will commence in spring 2006.

“Rogue is an engaging, high-crime thriller teaming the internationally acclaimed, hugely popular Jet Li with one of the hottest young action stars in the business, and it will have audiences on the edge of their seats,” said Michael Paseornek, President of Production, Lionsgate. “We are very excited to be working with Jet Li along with director Atwell and writers Smith and Bradley on a project that adds another fast-paced thriller to our upcoming theatrical release slate.”

The project, originally developed by Fierce Entertainment, was brought to Lionsgate by President of International Film Sales Stephanie Denton. Lionsgate will be launching the project to the international community at the European Film Market in Berlin this February under the direction of Nick Meyer, President of International.