Movies & TV / News
Lionsgate Releasing Antebellum Via Premium VOD Next Month
We’re finally going to get to see the horror film Antebellum next month, just not in theaters. Lionsgate announced on Thursday that the Janelle Monáe-starring horror movie, which is written and directed by Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz, will be released via Premium On-Demand on September 18th, as well as theatrically in select international markets. The announcement was made by Lionsgate MPG Chairman Joe Drake.
The announcement noted that “With audience demand for content at an all-time high, Lionsgate’s versatile slate positions the studio to take advantage of different distribution strategies. Antebellum’s timely themes presented the studio with the opportunity to create a release plan that reaches as wide an audience as possible, as soon as possible.”
Antebellum has, like most films this year, had a shaky road to the big screen because of COVID-19. Originally scheduled to be released on April 24, the film got bumped to August 21st before being pulled from its release schedule over the weekend.
Drake said in a statement, “While the theatrical experience will always be the heart of our business, we are thrilled that we are able to seize the opportunity to match Gerard and Chris’s urgent and immediate film with a release strategy befitting this moment of extraordinary change. Gerard and Chris are storytellers whose work beats with authenticity – not only will this film entertain and thrill audiences worldwide, but spark a discussion about our current world.”
Directors Bush and Renz added, “While we designed Antebellum to be consumed as a communal experience in the theater, we are thrilled by the unique opportunity we have to pivot to a different kind of communal moment in our culture. As we face the realities of systemic racism in our country, which have crescendoed to this current inflection point in 2020, we understand how imperative it is to bring Antebellum to the broadest audience possible, while also prioritizing health and safety. It is our ardent hope that by sharing our film widely, both nationally and internationally, we will transform the moviegoing experience from home into a true event.”
Antebellum stars Monáe, Eric Lange, Jena Malone, Jack Huston, Kiersey Clemons, Gabourey Sidibe, Marque Richardson, Robert Aramayo, Lily Cowles, and introduces Tongayi Chirisa. It centers on successful author Veronica Henley (Janelle Monáe) finds herself trapped in a horrifying reality that forces her to confront the past, present and future – before it’s too late.