Lionsgate’s Codeblack Films, which released this summer’s Tupac Shakur biopic “All Eyez On Me,” has acquired writer-director Deon Taylor’s thriller “Traffik.”
The movie, starring Paula Patton and Omar Epps as a couple on a romantic mountain getaway who are terrorized by a sex-trafficking gang, is scheduled for an April 27, 2018 release by Codeblack and Lionsgate’s Summit Entertainment.
The movie also features Laz Alonso, Roselyn Sanchez, Luke Goss, Missi Pyle and William Fichtner. Taylor’s Hidden Empire Film Group produced “Traffik” with partners Roxanne Avent and Robert F. Smith, along with Paula Patton’s Third Eye Productions. Mark Burg of Primary Wave Entertainment executive produced.
“Deon Taylor is an iconic storyteller and master of the thriller genre whose films fit right in the sweet spot of the original, exciting and premium quality entertainment with which we are super-serving our audiences,” Codeblack President and CEO Jeff Clanagan said in a statement.
“Combining an all-star cast headed by Paula Patton and Omar Epps, an A-list creative team and a riveting story, ‘Traffik’ is an exciting addition to our diverse upcoming slate.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to join with Jeff and the incredibly talented team at Codeblack Films and Lionsgate,” Taylor said in the statement. “They have a great track record in reaching African-American and Hispanic audiences and the marketing chops to expand this harrowing, edge-of-your-seat thriller to audiences everywhere.”
ICM Partners reps Taylor and sold the worldwide rights to Lionsgate on behalf of the filmmakers.
Patton is represented by CAA and David Guillod at Primary Wave, while Epps is repped by CAA and Anonymous Content.