MUMBAI: Lionsgate has acquired the US distribution rights from Lakeshore Entertainment and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment to the upcoming crime thriller One For The Money, starring Katherine Heigl.

The film is based on the first novel in writer Janet Evanovich’s bestselling Stephanie Plum series. Lakeshore’s Elisabeth Costa de Beauregard and Nick Meyer’s Sierra Pictures are jointly handling international distribution.

The movie is directed by Julie Ann Robinson, from a current rewrite by Liz Brixius. Lakeshore’s Tom Rosenberg and Gary Lucchesi are producing with Sidney Kimmel and Wendy Finerman. Lionsgate president of motion picture production Mike Paseornek will oversee the production for Lionsgate.

Paseornek said, "We’re very excited to join our friends at Lakeshore and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment in bringing One For The Money to the big screen. And we’re delighted to be working again with Katherine Heigl, who is the perfect actress to play Janet Evanovich’s smart, gutsy and funny heroine."

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president Tom Rosenberg added, "Janet Evanovich has created an extraordinary literary character in Stephanie Plum. Katherine Heigl is the perfect actress to bring Stephanie to the screen. Gary Lucchesi and I are thrilled to be reunited with her after our wonderful experience on The Ugly Truth. This is our second collaboration with Sidney Kimmel and we are looking forward to many more. Having worked on several films with Lionsgate over the years, we know that One For The Money is in the best possible hands."

Sidney Kimmel Entertainment (SKE) chairman Sidney Kimmel said, "We are thrilled to be partnering again with Gary Lucchesi and Tom Rosenberg on this exciting project. One For The Money will be a great second collaboration. With Katherine Heigl lending her tremendous talent to Janet Evanovich’s character, we foresee a great film in the making."