Tyler Perry's Family Is Back For A "Reunion" With Lions Gate Films

Tyler Perry's Family Is Back For A "Reunion" With Lions Gate Films

"Madea's Family Reunion" Starts Principal Photography with Cast Members Tyler Perry, Rochelle Aytes, Lisa Arrindell Anderson, Boris Kodjoe, Lynn Whitfield, Blair Underwood, Jenifer Lewis, Tangi Miller, Cicely Tyson and Keke Palmer

SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lions Gate Films, the motion picture acquisition, production and distribution arm of Lions Gate Entertainment (NYSE:LGF) Toronto, has begun principal photography in Atlanta today on Tyler Perry's screen directorial debut, MADEA'S FAMILY REUNION, it was announced today by Mike Paseornek, President of Production, Lions Gate Films. The film is Perry's follow up to his phenomenal box office success DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN.

"Discovering Tyler Perry has been a very rewarding venture for LGF and we couldn't be prouder of Tyler's success," said Paseornek. "The continuing saga of Madea's enormously humorous trials and tribulations will keep audiences in stitches all over again and we look forward to the second endeavor in what promises to be a very successful franchise."

"One of the best ways I can show my gratitude at the public response to 'Diary' is to try to make the next one even better. I know with the great cast we've assembled that 'Madea's Family Reunion' is going to be a wild time," said Perry.

Perry's DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN was an incredibly successful release for Lions Gate Films, surprising industry analysts by earning the number one slot at the box office in its opening weekend and generating over $50 million at the domestic box office in the course of its theatrical run. The DVD was released just last week and has already become a sales phenomenon, with 2.4 million units sold in the first week alone. Lions Gate Films has signed Perry to a multi-picture deal, establishing him as a franchise for the company for years to come.

Based on Tyler Perry's acclaimed stage production, MADEA'S FAMILY REUNION continues the adventures of southern matriarch Madea and finds her attempting to organize the yearly family reunion while dealing with the family's struggles and problems and trying to make the big weekend a success. Perry will make his big screen directorial debut from his screenplay. Reuben Cannon will produce, with a cast that includes Perry, Rochelle Aytes, Lisa Arrindell Anderson, Boris Kodjoe, Lynn Whitfield, Blair Underwood, Jenifer Lewis, Henry Simmons, Tangi Miller, Keke Palmer, Dr. Maya Angelou and Cicely Tyson. Additional casting is still in negotiation.

Lions Gate is the premier independent producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library is one of the largest in the entertainment industry. The Lions Gate brand name is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

Contact: Sarah Greenberg Melissa Holloway 310-255-3856 310-255-3998 sgreenberg@lgf.commholloway@lgf.com

http://www.lgf.com

Source: Lions Gate Films

CONTACT: Sarah Greenberg, +1-310-255-3856 or sgreenberg@lgf.com; or Melissa Holloway, +1-310-255-3998 or mholloway@lgf.com, both of Lions Gate Films

Web site: http://www.lionsgate-ent.com/

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