Lionsgate has acquired “Power Ballad,” the upcoming film from John Carney (“Sing Street,” “Once”) and starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, for release in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Ireland. The announcement was made by Adam Fogelson, chair, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.

The film, which recently finished shooting in Dublin, focuses on a talented but past-his-prime wedding singer (Rudd) and a young rockstar (Jonas) who uses the wedding singer’s songwriting prowess to revitalize his own career.

“I’ve always been a huge fan of John’s movies, and I’ve had my eye on this particular film for some time,” said Fogelson. “It combines the best of John’s immense creative talents with a marketable concept and an incredible cast. I couldn’t be happier that he and the rest of the team have entrusted us with it.”

“I am so delighted this film, which has been in my heart for so long, has found its home,” said Carney. “Musically themed films are meant to be watched together, and what better studio than Lionsgate to bring this movie to the world in the way it was intended: with a crowd, in the dark, next to strangers who, for a few hours, become friends.”

Directed by Carney, the film is written by Carney and Peter McDonald. Anthony Bregman and Peter Cron are producing the film through their Likely Story banner, alongside Robert Walpole and Rebecca O’Flanagan for Treasure Entertainment, and Carney; the same production team recently produced Carney’s most recent film, “Flora and Son,” which was picked up by Apple TV+.

30WEST financed the film, alongside Screen Ireland, and executive produces.

The film was acquired by Charlotte Koh and Lauren Bixby for Lionsgate; the studio’s Kaycee Holcomb oversaw negotiations for Business Affairs. 30WEST, WME Independent, and UTA Independent Film Group represented the domestic sales on the title, with WME Independent handling the international rights. Rudd is represented by Lighthouse Management & Media, UTA and Jackoway Austen. Jonas is repped by Philymack, UTA and Carroll Guido Groffman Cohen Bar & Karalian, LLP

About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations and the STARZ premium global subscription platform, bringing a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. The Company’s film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a more than 20,000-title library and a valuable collection of iconic film and television franchises. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for audiences worldwide.

About Lionsgate Studios
Lionsgate Studios (NASDAQ: LION) is one of the world’s leading standalone, pure play, publicly-traded content companies. It brings together diversified motion picture and television production and distribution businesses, a world-class portfolio of valuable brands and franchises, a talent management and production powerhouse and a more than 20,000-title film and television library, all driven by Lionsgate’s bold and entrepreneurial culture.

About 30WEST
30WEST is responsible for many of the last half-decade’s most memorable film and television projects from streaming breakouts “Tiger King” and “Fyre “to award-winning theatrical features including: Ruben Östlund’s “Triangle of Sadness,” nominated for three 2023 Academy Awards including Best Picture, and winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival; “The Mauritanian,” starring Jodie Foster, Benedict Cumberbatch and Tahar Rahim; “Late Night,” starring Mindy Kaling and Emma Thompson; “I, Tonya” starring Margot Robbie; “The Contractor “starring Chris Pine; and “Flee, “which was nominated for three Academy Awards. 30WEST’s recent projects include “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey “with Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell for Sony and Marc Webb’s “Day Drinker.”

About Likely Story
Likely Story is a bi-coastal film and television production company founded by Anthony Bregman and Stefanie Azpiazu in 2006. Their films have won awards at the Oscars, Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Gothams, Indie Spirits, and Cannes, Berlin, Tribeca and Sundance Film Festivals, among others, and include the Academy Award-winning “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “Foxcatcher,”, “Sing Street,” “Do Revenge,” “In the Heights,” “Flora and Son,” “Eileen,” “You Hurt My Feelings,” “Private Life”, “The Half of It”, “Friends With Money,” “Begin Again,” “Enough Said,” “American Ultra,” “Our Idiot Brother,” “Synecdoche, New York,” “Please Give,” “The Savages,” “Thumbsucker,” “Collateral Beauty”, “The Circle,” and “Someone Great,” among many others. TV projects include Netflix’s “Living With Yourself,” and Amazon Prime’s “Modern Love.” Likely Story’s upcoming releases include “Doin’ It” directed by Sara Zandieh, “Come Closer” written and directed by Tom Nesher, and “Power Ballad” written and directed by John Carney.

About Treasure Entertainment
Treasure Entertainment is one of Ireland’s leading independent production companies, with a proven record in producing commercially and critically successful films and television for Irish and international audiences. Notable credits include John Butler’s trilogy of feature films, “Papi Chulo,” “Handsome Devil” and “The Stag,” Paddy Breathnach’s Oscar shortlisted “Viva,” BAFTA nominated” Good Vibrations,” three seasons of the IFTA award-winning “Smother,” Eva Birthistle’s debut feature film “Kathleen Is Here” and John Carney’s “Flora And Son.”