While a specific number of years was not announced Variety is reporting that Lions Gate Films and LL Cool J have inked a multiyear, multipic deal, under which LL’s management and production company Alchemy Entertainment will produce exclusively.
Apparently Lions Gate has a mandate to be the leading producer of films for the urban market and they feel LL is the way to go with that. LL was quoted in the Variety article saying, “This is the perfect transition for me, as I can now pour all the energy and creative juices I have learned over the years into this fresh and exciting producing venture.”
I don’t see this as a bad move for the studio, but beyond S.W.A.T. LL hasn’t exactly had stellar box-office numbers for his past few films. Most recently he starred in Mindhunters, which grossed only $.4 million domestically and only $15.9 worldwide. However, LL has proved he is a talented actor, we will just have to wait and see how the deal pays off.
