Craig Robinson is the Anti-Christ in one of three tiny budgeted films from Lionsgate

Studios appear to finally be catching on. With a recent rash of big budgeted flicks either flopping or struggling to earn a profit, the value of smaller scale productions with big earning potential has only increased. Lionsgate has jumped on this idea whole hog, launching a new initiative to create up to ten features a year with budgets of under $2M. Deadline has released the first three movies in this new plan, a couple of which even sound pretty good...

Rapturepalooza, with Craig Robinson(Miss March) starring as the Anti-Christ. Chris Matheson wrote the script and Paul Middleditch(Separation City) will direct. Mosaic and Ed Solomon are producing, with production to begin in the spring.


Gay Dude, a Superbad-style coming of age raunchy comedy. Two best friends vow to lose their virginity before graduating high school.  Then one confesses he's gay. Script's by Parks and Recreation writer Alan Yang, and it made The Black List. Laurence Mark produces with Jai Stefan.


6 Miranda Drive, a supernatural thriller from Wolf Creek writer/director Greg Mclean. Purported to be fact-based, the tale focuses on a family that unwittingly brings a supernatural force home with them from vacation. The evil presence feeds off their fears and secrets. Mosaic is producing with Mclean.

Ok, I'm gonna dig anything that has Craig Robinson in it, and having him as the Anti-Christ has the potential for some seriously hilarious, offensive stuff.  I kinda dig the premise of Gay Dude, a nice twist on a the sex comedy routine we've seen numerous times already. Saying that a movie is from the writer/director of Wolf Creek is no way to get me on your side, and 6 Miranda Drive sounds like a generic Paranormal Activity riff. I'm betting there'll be a shaky cam and everything.

Overall I'm very happy about this new plan. Lionsgate started off making smaller flicks that really hooked people(Buffalo 66, Affliction, Dogma). Here's hoping going back to their roots so to speak reaps some hefty rewards.