U.K. production, sales and distribution outfit Signature Entertainment has acquired the U.K. and Irish rights to the action thriller The Prosecutor, directed by and starring Hong Kong superstar Donnie Yen (Ip Man), from Mandarin Motion Pictures.
The feature, produced by Yen and Raymond Pak-Ming Wong (Ip Man franchise) and written by Edmond Wong (Ip Man franchise), is also directed by Yen. The film stars Yen, Julian Cheung (The Grandmaster), Francis Ng (Infernal Affairs II), Kent Cheng (Why Me?), Michael Hui (Teppanyaki), and Kong Lau (Hard Boiled).
The action movie, inspired by an actual legal case in Hong Kong, follows a man who pleads guilty to drug trafficking after being framed. “Despite the confession, the veteran policeman-turned-prosecutor handling the case is convinced of the man’s innocence and pursues his own investigation, risking both his career and his life to bring the real perpetrator to justice,” according to a plot synopsis.
Signature is planning a digital release from June 16 and a Blu-ray release from June 23.
The deal was negotiated between Signature Entertainment’s acquisitions and development executive Max Hart and Mandarin Motion Pictures’ assistant distribution manager Avery Lam.
“Donnie Yen has time and again proven himself to be the ultimate action master of our time,” said Hart. “The Prosecutor shows him in full command of his craft, with a giant canvas as both star and co-director. The film more than delivers the jaw-dropping and inventive action set pieces we’ve come to expect from him in John Wick: Chapter 4 and Rogue One.”
Founded in 2011, Signature, led by founder and CEO Marc Goldberg, has become a key independent distributor in the U.K. and has expanded into production and international sales. Its recent releases include Lily James, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Himesh Patel comedy Greedy People; Aaron Eckhart action thriller Chief of Station; and indie horror movie Terrifier 3.
