Relativity Media has acquired the theatrical marketing and distribution rights for director Marc Foster’s upcoming film ‘Machine Gun Preacher’ from Lionsgate. The movie, which was penned by Relativity’s Untitled Snow White Project screenwriter Jason Keller, stars Gerard Butler and will be released in New York and Los Angeles on September 23, 2011, with additional markets to follow. Lionsgate will work in partnership with Relativity, and will continue to oversee the film’s international distribution.

‘Machine Gun Preacher’ is based on a true story. It follows former drug-dealing criminal Sam Childers, who is compelled to visit East Africa. Once there, he becomes shocked by the chaos happening in Sudan, and therefore becomes a crusader for hundreds of refugee children. Childers is able to bring peace to the children after he becomes inspired to create a safe haven for those fleeing enslavement by the Lord’s Resistance Army.

Relativity’s President of Worldwide Production, Tucker Tooley, has described ‘Machine Gun Preacher’ as a powerful story. He added that the studio feels that the movie “is one audiences need to see. Forster once again proves that he is among the best directors of our time.”

Tooley added that “Butler delivers a career-defining performance bolstered by a rock solid supporting cast,” which includes Michelle Monaghan, Kathy Baker and Michael Shannon. Forster agreed, saying “I’m really proud of my cast, and all of their hard work in making this movie that means so much to all of us personally.”

Written by: Karen Benardello