Lionsgate strikes movie deal with Hulu, FX

Disney-controlled streamer Hulu and cable channel FX have struck a two-year output deal with Lionsgate for films released in 2020 and 2021.

The deal is understood to mark the first time an SVOD and cable channel have partnered on a theatrical output deal.

The slate for 2020 includes such films as I Still Believe, a biopic of Christian music star Jeremy Camp, and a Saw spin-off from Chris Rock.

While hit franchise John Wick is part of Lionsgate’s portfolio, the film stems from Lionsgate-backed Summit Entertainment, which has a separate output deal with HBO; therefore, John Wick 4 will not form part of the Hulu/FX deal.

Previously MGM-backed cable channel Epix held rights to Lionsgate’s films. The Hulu/FX deal appears to be a two-year stop-gap for the studio, which will license its films to cable channel Starz and its SVOD after 2021.

It is believed that the bid for Lionsgate’s film rights was submitted ahead of the Disney-Fox merger closing in March.

The Information first reported the news.