Lionsgate has picked up North American and UK rights form GreeneStreetFilms International to the thriller Slow Burn starring Mekhi Phifer, Ray Liottaand Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Wayne Beach directed the multi-layered story of a district attorney who has onenight to salvage his reputation and solve a murder. Lionsgate plans an Augustrelease in the US.

James Todd Smith aka LL Cool J, Taye Diggs and Jolene Blalock also star in theGreeneStreet Films, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Bonnie Timmermannproduction.

"Slow Burn is an ingeniously constructed thriller that mixes classic elementsof film noir with a distinctly contemporary perspective on politics, race andidentity," Lionsgate president Steve Beeks said.

"Wayne Beach has created an intriguing set of characters, and it's terrific funto watch this exceptional cast tear into their roles."

We are pleased to be working with Lionsgate as our distribution partner,"GreeneStreet Films co-founder John Penotti said. "Their expertise should bringout the full potential of this compelling thriller."

GreeneStreet co-founder Fisher Stevens, Sidney Kimmel, Bonnie Timmermann, andTim Williams produced and Penotti and Longfellow Pictures' Andy Karsch servedas executive producers.

Lionsgate's senior vice president of legal and business affairs andacquisitions Wendy Jaffe negotiated the deal with Vicki Cherkas of GreeneStreetFilms.