Lionsgate Acquires Rights to Rambo and The Expendables with Millennium Deal

Lionsgate has made a pivotal move by acquiring extensive rights to two iconic action franchises from Millennium Media: Rambo and The Expendables. This significant agreement, announced on a recent Monday, positions Lionsgate as a leading player in the action genre.

Lionsgate’s New Acquisition: Rambo and The Expendables

Under the new deal, Lionsgate has gained global distribution rights to the upcoming Rambo prequel titled John Rambo. Additionally, they will play a key role in producing future television adaptations based on the Rambo franchise. The agreement also encompasses the development and production of all potential works related to The Expendables franchise, which may include films, television series, video games, and more.

Upcoming Projects and Production Details

• The international sales for John Rambo will be showcased at the American Film Market in Los Angeles.
• Jalmari Helander, known for his work on *Sisu*, will direct the prequel.
• Noah Centineo is in final negotiations to play the lead role, made famous by Sylvester Stallone.
• Production for John Rambo is anticipated to start in Thailand next year.

Lionsgate has a rich history as the distributor for all Expendables films in North America and the U.K. They have also handled the releases of the last two Rambo movies in North America and earlier installments across Latin America and Southeast Asia.

Strategic Shift for Millennium Media

Brian Goldsmith, COO of Lionsgate, emphasized that this collaboration enhances their collection of notable action franchises and affirms their dedication to advancing high-quality intellectual property across various platforms. Millennium Media’s president, Jonathan Yunger, described the partnership as a means to amplify the scale and reach of these beloved franchises.

This agreement represents a strategic transformation for Millennium Media, a studio renowned for creating mid-budget action films. Established in 1992 by Avi Lerner, the company has found success with various franchises such as The Expendables and Rambo. However, it faces increasing pressures from major studios that dominate the action market.

Market Challenges and Recent Performance

The recent entry, *Expendables 4*, released in 2023, experienced a franchise-low opening of $8.3 million in North America, eventually grossing less than $40 million globally. Notably, *Rambo: Last Blood* (2019) failed to exceed $100 million in worldwide earnings, marking a departure from its predecessors.

The decision to transfer the creative and distribution control of these major titles to Lionsgate indicates a possible strategic shift for Millennium Media. Lionsgate itself has encountered difficulties in maintaining its own action franchises, as illustrated by *Ballerina*, a *John Wick* spinoff, which garnered a modest $137 million globally.

This acquisition of Rambo and The Expendables marks a new chapter in Lionsgate’s ongoing commitment to the action genre, paving the way for exciting developments in the coming years.