Lionsgate picks up Spanish film with Ryan Reynolds

Lionsgate announced today that it has acquired U.S. and Canadian rights to the 2010 Sundance Film Festival sensation, BURIED, directed by Rodrigo Cortés (THE CONTESTANT). A taut, inventive thriller, BURIED stars Ryan Reynolds (THE PROPOSAL, X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE) and is written by Chris Sparling (the upcoming MERCY).  The producers are Adrián Guerra and Peter Safran (NEW IN TOWN, MEET THE SPARTANS); Alejandro Miranda is executive producer, alongside Rodrigo Cortés. The director of photography is Eduard Grau (A SINGLE MAN).  The announcement was made today by Joe Drake, Lionsgate Co-Chief Operating Officer and Motion Picture Group President, and Jason Constantine, Lionsgate President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions.

Said Constantine, “BURIED is one of the tightest, most intense thrillers we’ve ever seen, and we were absolutely determined to bring it home to Lionsgate.  BURIED is a powerful reminder that all you really need for an unforgettable movie experience is a great story, inventive filmmaking and brilliant acting.  And because of the combined excellence of Rodrigo, Ryan and Chris, it’s all there in BURIED.”

“I’m very excited to be working with Lionsgate,” affirmed Cortés.  “They are consistently creative and know how to use their resources to make the strongest possible impact – which is exactly what we set out to do with BURIED.  So it’s a very natural fit.”

Commented Safran, “Making BURIED has been a deeply rewarding creative experience, and I am fortunate to have had outstanding producing partners in Adrián and Alejandro.  We are delighted to be joining forces with my good friends at Lionsgate, and look forward to making BURIED the breakout hit it deserves to be.”

The film is about Paul Conroy (Ryan Reynolds), truck driver and family man, wakes up BURIED ALIVE in an old wooden coffin.  Not knowing who might have put him there or why, his only chance to escape from this nightmare is a mysterious cell phone.  Poor reception, battery and lack of oxygen are his worst enemies in a race against time: Paul has only 90 minutes to be rescued.