Sixth And Seventh Titles In Tyler Perry Franchise To Begin Production In Spring 2008

Filmmaking phenomenon Tyler Perry has signed up to produce two more movies for Liongsgate Films. The films include, “The Family That Preys Together” and “Madea Goes To Jail.” These titles will mark the sixth and seventh motion pictures in Lionsgate's Tyler Perry franchise, which in October notched its third #1 box office hit with Why Did I Get Married.

Perry will direct The Family That Preys Togeteher from his original screenplay and will play one of the film's major roles. He will direct and reprise his role as the wildly popular title character in Madea Goes To Jail., adapted from what many consider his most popular play. Both films are scheduled to begin production in Spring 2008.

Said Perry, “An artist couldn't ask for a better home than Lionsgate; they're respectful, supportive and loyal to a fault. They've given me room to tell the stories I want to tell, the way I want to tell them. And I'm gratified and humbled that audiences have responded with such enthusiasm and love.”

“We're thoroughly in awe of Tyler Perry's talent, energy and integrity, and are very proud to call him a member of the Lionsgate family,” said Lionsgate President of Film Production Michael Paseornek. “The Family That Preys Togeteher” and “Madea Goes To Jail.L” are going to deliver everything audiences have come to expect from a Tyler Perry production: humor, uplift, and unlimited heart and soul.”

Perry's newest film, Meet The Browns, opens nationwide on March 21, 2008. Perry directs this adaptation of his stage play and co-stars alongside Angela Bassett.

Since making his film debut in 2005 with Lionsgate's Diary Of A Mad Black Woman, Tyler Perry has become a multimedia phenomenon with a roster of hugely successful film, stage, television, and book projects. Three of Perry's four films have debuted at number one at the North American box office, and the films' combined theatrical gross is nearly $193 million. The combined net sales of his twelve DVDs total 16.8 million units.

Perry began his career as a playwright with “I Know I've Been Changed” in 1992; six years and many failed productions later, the play became an overnight success after what was to have been its final performance ever. Perry's nine produced plays to date have grossed tens of millions of dollars and have set box office records in major venues across the country, including the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles and the Beacon Theater in New York. Perry's first book, Don't Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings: Madea's Uninhibited Commentaries on Life and Love debuted at #1 on the New York Times hardcover nonfiction bestseller list the week of April 30, 2006, and was named both “Book of the Year” and “Humor Book of the Year” at the October 2006 Quill Book Awards.

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