Jigsaw Is Back With a Vengeance as Lionsgate's SAW II Has Teeth in Debut on Home Entertainment Charts

Jigsaw Is Back With a Vengeance as Lionsgate's SAW II Has Teeth in Debut on Home Entertainment Charts

Title Debuts as #1 New Release in Video Sales and Rentals With 3.9 Million Units Sold in the United States and Canada in First Week; Lionsgate Tops DVD Charts for Second Time in Past Month

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Blood was in the air this Valentine's Day as SAW II, the highest-grossing theatrical horror film of 2005, followed in the footsteps of the original by slicing through the competition to reign supreme among this week's new home entertainment releases. Debuting on home video and DVD on the day of love, the psychological thriller from Lionsgate (NYSE:LGF) Toronto, the leading independent filmed entertainment company, sold 2.5 million units on its first day and finished the week at number one with 3.9 million units sold.

In vaulting to the top of the charts, SAW II became the fastest-selling theatrical DVD release in Lionsgate history, surpassing the mark set by the original SAW, which also opened at number one by selling more than three million units for the week. Released theatrically by Lionsgate in October 2005, SAW II grossed over $87 million domestically and more than $131 million in worldwide theatrical box office. The movie was also released on VHS and UMD.

The number one opening continued an impressive run by Lionsgate, following on the heels of the star-studded action thriller LORD OF WAR, which was number one on the North American DVD charts in January. Lionsgate has now had two chart-topping theatrical DVD releases in the past month in addition to scoring a number one box office hit in January with the horror film HOSTEL. Lionsgate's new Tyler Perry film, MADEA'S FAMILY REUNION, opens nationwide on more than 2500 screens this Friday, February 24. The Company's critically- acclaimed hit CRASH has earned six Academy Award (R) nominations, including Best Picture, and will be competing for top honors at the Oscars on March 5, along with Lionsgate's Best Foreign Language Film entry DON'T TELL, nominated from Italy.

"The success of the first two releases confirms that SAW is a franchise that will continue to have legs for a very long time," said Steve Beeks, President of Lionsgate. "The movies combine action, suspense and gore while taking us into the mind of one of the most memorable madmen in horror movie history. While the success at the box office gave SAW II momentum for its home video release, we also ensured that it stood out at retail with unique packaging and an extensive marketing and promotional campaign. With the Valentine's Day opening, we were able to pull out all the stops on a unique overall marketing program that gave the release great visibility leading up to street date."

SAW II SYNOPSIS/EXTRA FEATURES

Jigsaw is back in America's #1 horror film of 2005. The brilliant, disturbed mastermind, who wreaked havoc on his victims in last year's SAW, is back for another round of horrifying life-or-death games. When a new murder victim is discovered with all the signs of Jigsaw's hand, Detective Eric Mathews begins a full investigation and apprehends Jigsaw with little effort. For Jigsaw, getting caught is just another part of his evil plan. Eight more of his victims are already fighting for their lives -- and now it's time for Mathews to join the game ...

SAW II is packed with bonus features including: audio commentary with director Darren Lynn Bousman and actors Donnie Wahlberg and Beverley Mitchell, "Jigsaw's Game," "The Traps of Jigsaw," "Bits & Pieces: The Props of Jigsaw," Storyboard to Screen and Conceptual Art Gallery, English and Spanish subtitles, English closed captions, 5.1 Dolby(R) Surround EX(TM) and Trailers.

Lionsgate is the leading independent producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library provides a stable and reliable base of recurring revenue that serves as a foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand name is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the globe.

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www.lionsgate.com

For further information, contact:

Adam Fenton/Elizabeth Atler Sarah Greenberg/Jodie Magid
BENDER/HELPER IMPACT LIONSGATE
212-689-6360 310-255-3856/212-386-6885
adam_fenton@bhimpact.comsgreenberg@lionsgate.comElizabeth_atler@bhimpact.comjmagid@lionsgate.com

For corporate inquiries, contact:

Peter D. Wilkes
310-255-3726
pwilkes@lionsgate.com

Source: Lionsgate

CONTACT: Adam Fenton, adam_fenton@bhimpact.com, or Elizabeth Atler,
Elizabeth_atler@bhimpact.com, both of Bender/Helper Impact, +1-212-689-6360,
for Lionsgate; or Sarah Greenberg, +1-310-255-3856, or
sgreenberg@lionsgate.com, or Jodie Magid, +1-212-386-6885, or
jmagid@lionsgate.com, or corporate, Peter D. Wilkes, +1-310-255-3726, or
pwilkes@lionsgate.com, all of Lionsgate

Web site: http://www.lionsgate.com/

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