Bernie Mac Makes Lionsgate Pact

Zap2It.com | August 24, 2006

Bernie Mac

Concert film and celebrity roasts are in Mac's future

Versatile comic Bernie Mac has agreed to a multi-year, multi-faceted first-look deal with Lionsgate.

The "Guess Who" star's MacMan Entertainment shingle will now be housed through Lionsgate, marking the first time the company has pacted with an actor's independent production company.

"Bernie Mac is a household name, and we are thrilled to have him call Lionsgate home," say Lionsgate suits Mike Paseornek and Peter Block in a statement. "He's incredibly talented, he's versatile, and his appeal crosses all boundaries of race, class, gender, ethnicity -- you name it."

The first MacMan production under the deal will be a concert film, to be produced by Mac and his creative partner Steven Greener. Mac, who had previous concert film success with Spike Lee's "The Original Kings of Comedy," will also host at least four celebrity roasts, which will have DVD premieres.

"Lionsgate is the perfect place to hang our hats," Mac and Greener say. "They're a smart and exciting studio, and their marketing skills are second to none. What's more, they're very well-rounded in terms of the entertainment they develop, which gives us a lot of room to play with. We're looking forward to doing great things with them."

Up next for Mac are a starring role in the inspirational drama "Pride," followed by supporting role in a pair of smaller pictures titled "Ocean's Thirteen" and "Transformers."