Lionsgate takes 'Lincoln Lawyer' (SCR, DH, BLOOM)

By Nancy Tartaglione

Lionsgate has acquired rights to "The Lincoln Lawyer," according to media reports. The upcoming legal thriller stars Matthew McConaughey and Marisa Tomei along with Ryan Phillippe, William H. Macy and John Leguizamo. In separate news, Lionsgate vice-chairman Michael Burns has said that the company's so-called poison pill has the support of 61% of shareholders with about two-thirds of votes cast.

Activist investor Carl Icahn recently made a hostile takeover bid for Lionsgate and is arguing that a poison pill defense was enacted by the company's board without prior shareholder approval.

If Icahn were to win in his bid to have the poison pill voided, it would make it easier for him to attract votes for his tender offer which expires April 30.

The pill, which entitles shareholders to buy more stock at a discount, was implemented by Lionsgate's board as a "tactical" move against Icahn's bid, said Mark Gelowitz, Icahn's lawyer, according to Bloomberg.

Burns said proxies representing 74.6 million shares have been submitted while 42 million shares remain to be voted before a May 4 shareholders meeting.

Meanwhile, "The Lincoln Lawyer" sees McConnaughey play an LA defense attorney who operates out of the back of his Lincoln Continental and spends his career defending small-time crooks until the case of a lifetime lands him in personal jeopardy.

The film is based on the Michael Connelly bestseller. Brad Furman is directing and will start principal photography in LA in July.