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Lionsgate Play Adopts Theatrical-First Model in India, ‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2 Set for 2027

The plan uses cinema debuts to build demand before films move to the streaming app.

Overview

  • Lionsgate Play, which announced the shift Monday, will start premiering 10 to 12 films in Indian theaters from September 2026 before streaming them.
  • The 2026 lineup promises 100+ India premieres with titles such as Billion Dollar Spy, Empire City, Primetime, By Any Means, and Titan alongside Greenland 2: Migration, Mutiny, Couture, Famous, The Rivals of Amziah King, Apollo Has Fallen, and Vigil season 3.
  • The company says the screen-agnostic approach gives select movies a big-screen launch, then guides audiences to the platform for follow-up viewing.
  • Lionsgate Play confirmed Season 2 of Heated Rivalry for 2027, adapting Rachel Reid’s The Long Game with elements from Role Model, with creator Jacob Tierney returning and Michael Goldbach joining as co-writer.
  • In a Tuesday update, Tierney said filming is planned to begin in August with a spring 2027 release goal and stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie set to return.