Peace Arch Home Entertainment, the fledgling division owned by Peace Arch Entertainment Group and ContentFilm, has picked up all North American rights to JCVD starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.

The action comedy is set to receive its North American premiere in the Midnight Madness programme at Toronto on September 4 and will open in theatres shortly afterwards.

JCVD premiered at Cannes and stars Van Damme as himself, down on his luck, fighting for custody of his daughter and losing every decent action role to Steven Segal. In an attempt to escape, the aging star walks away from his shrinking spotlight and returns home to his native Brussels where he gets involved in a real-life hostage situation.

'JCVD is the first significant acquisition of the new venture between Peace Arch and ContentFilm,' Peace Arch Home Entertainment president Berry Meyerowitz said. 'This outstanding film resonates with movie-goers, and we are thrilled to partner with Jean-Claude, director Mabrouk El Mechri and Gaumont to present it to audiences in North America.'

'We are excited to be working with Peace Arch for the first time, and have them release JCVD in North America,' Gaumont International Sales executive vice president Cecile Gaget said. 'Jean-Claude struck a nerve with American audiences when he first arrived on the scene and is sure to do so again on a whole other level.'

Topics