Lightning Entertainment has licensed US theatrical distribution rights on D Kerry Prior’s award winning horror-comedy to Mark Urman’s Paladin, while Lightning Media will handle the day-and-date VoD launch.

Paladin plans an initial foray in 10 markets in August to be accompanied by an event-driven debut through Lightning Media’s Ultra VoD channels. Lionsgate will release the film on DVD per its arrangement with Lightning Media.

The Revenant stars David Anders and Chris Wylde as a soldier and his slacker pal who become zombies and use their newfound skills as vigilantes.

Lightning Entertainment holds worldwide rights to the horror-comedy, which Prior wrote and also produced alongside Liam Finn and Jacques Thelemaque.

The film won best director and audience awards at Fantastic Fest and Zompire (the Undead Film Festival) as well as the audience award at CineVegas.

Lightning Entertainment svp of acquisitions Joseph Dickstein and vp of acquisitions and business development Audrey Delaney negotiated the deal with Urman.