Lionsgate has entered into a strategic collaboration with Canadian distributor Cineplex Pictures, a division of Cineplex, for its 2023 theatrical slate.

The theatrical distribution agreement will see Cineplex Pictures distribute 11 Lionsgate titles to theatres throughout Canada, including first calendar quarter releases John Wick: Chapter 4, starring Toronto-raised Keanu Reeves (pictured) and directed by Chad Stahelski; Jean-François Richet-directed Plane, starring Gerard Butler and Mike Colter, and Jesus Revolution, starring Kelsey Grammer and directed by Jon Erwin and Brent McCorkle.

Other titles on the 2023 slate include Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, directed by Kelly Fremon Craig; Laura Terruso-directed About My Father; Tim Story’s The Blackening; an untitled Adele Lim comedy; and Marc Forster’s White Bird: A Wonder Story.

The list is rounded out by The Expendables 4, directed by Scott Waugh; the next instalment in the Saw franchise, directed by Kevin Greutert; and Francis Lawrence’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

The partnership, announced Thursday (Jan. 5), builds upon a longstanding relationship between Lionsgate and Cineplex Pictures, which had theatrical rights in Canada for the October release of Prey for the Devil, a Lionsgate and Gold Circle Entertainment production.

Cineplex Entertainment — along with former Alliance Films CEO Victor Loewy and Mongrel Media — was also part of a strategic arrangement announced in 2019 to distribute Lionsgate Entertainment films.

Cineplex Pictures is a distributor of a wide range of genre films, with recent titles including The Good House, Lamb, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Hotel Artemis, and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.

In a statement, Lionsgate president of worldwide theatrical distribution David Spitz called Canada a “key theatrical market,” adding that “with Cineplex’s name recognition, distribution prowess and expertise in the Canadian marketplace, our slate is in great hands in Canada.”

Added Ellis Jacob, president and CEO, Cineplex: “Our expertise in effectively connecting with moviegoers is grounded in both our rich history of building audiences and deep understanding of what Canadian film lovers are looking for.”

Photo: Actor Keanu Reeves presents the movie “John Wick: Chapter 4” during Lionsgate exclusive presentation at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon 2022, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, on April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images)