MUMBAI: Lionsgate has acquired worldwide distribution rights to the latest film by Academy Award-winning writer and director Stephen Gaghan. This is Gaghan’s first film since Oscar-winning Syriana.

Gaghan will direct and produce the film, a character-driven action thriller that he is co-writing with Shannon Burke. Allyn Stewart and Kipp Nelson are executive producers.

Lionsgate president of motion picture production Alli Shearmur said, "We are very excited to be in business with Stephen Gaghan, a master storyteller who has raised the bar for character-driven suspense in contemporary film. Steve has earned the right to have greater control over the creative content of his films along with a meaningful participation in its commercial success. It’s the kind of deal that Lionsgate is uniquely positioned to offer superior creators like Steve, and the formula works beautifully for all involved — for Steve, for Lionsgate, and not least, for audiences looking for smart, thrilling entertainment."

Gaghan added, "Lionsgate as a studio has a proven track record in delivering great genre hits, and I’m impressed by the acumen and commitment of the entire team. Joe, Alli, and Wolfgang believe in putting the filmmaker at the center of the process, and they’ve built a next-generation business model that allows filmmakers to participate as true partners in the economic value they’re generating. It’s an attractive and innovative way to do business, which hopefully will lead to greater risk-taking in the exploration of established genres."