Related Resources • "O" Movie Review • "O" Publicity Stills • Josh Hartnett Movie and Fan Sites • Links to Websites Featuring Julia Stiles • Recent Romantic Releases

Elsewhere on the Web • Official "O" Website

Lions Gate Films' "O," starring Julia Stiles ("Hamlet, "Save the Last Dance"), Mekhi Phifer ("Shaft," "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer"), Josh Hartnett ("Pearl Harbor," "40 Days and 40 Nights") and Martin Sheen ("The West Wing") opened to a $6.9 million four-day total at the box office and pulled down over $4,800 per screen, the second highest per screen average of the weekend. The opening was Lions Gate's 2nd largest ever behind Kevin Smith's "Dogma."

Directed by Tim Blake Nelson, "O," a modern retelling of Shakespeare's "Othello," is a tale of seduction, jealousy, betrayal and the dangerous price of pride - all of which unfolds on the eve of the state basketball championship.

Tom Ortenberg (President of Lions Gate Releasing) noted that the $6.9 million weekend was unusually large for an independent film company. "This strong opening is a testament to our marketing team's ability to translate provocative, cutting edge films into broader commercial successes with carefully strategized marketing campaigns that are far more cost-effective and cost efficient than those of the major studios," he said. "O's" great opening is also a tribute to Tim's skilled direction and the cast's riveting performances. We are very proud to have released this film and I would like to congratulate the Lions Gate team for all their hard work that really paid off."

Other high profile films on Lions Gates' slate are the romantic drama "Monsters Ball," starring Halle Berry, Heath Ledger and Billy Bob Thornton, which opened for Award contention in December 2001; and "Lantana," starring Geoffrey Rush and Barbara Hershey, which was named as the featured film of the Closing Night Gala at the 2001 Toronto International Film Festival. Upcoming films also include "Liam" from director Stephen Frears; Bill Paxton's directorial debut "Frailty," starring Paxton and Matthew McConaughey; and "The Cat's Meow," starring Kirsten Dunst and directed by Peter Bogdanavich.

Source: Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.