Roger Avary’s ‘Paradise Lost’ Gets Theatrical Deal And Release Date

EXCLUSIVE: Ex Machina Studios has struck an exclusive North American theatrical distribution agreement with Mayfair Media Group, a group of exhibition executives led by Galaxy Theatres duo Frank Rimkus and Rafe Cohen.

The deal will see a number of Ex Machina’s movies released in New York, LA, Chicago, Dallas, Toronto, Atlanta, Miami, San Francisco, and other key metropolitan areas. Mayfair is due to give the films wide releases (1500+ screens) via Galaxy theaters as well as other theater chains, which we’re told were secured after they were shown footage of upcoming projects.

AI-oriented production outfit Ex Machina plans to release four projects in 2027, followed by approximately six films annually under its exclusive engagement with Mayfair. The deal marks the first time an AI-oriented producer-studio has secured a theatrical pipeline deal such as this.

First up are Roger Avary‘s Paradise Lost, which is scheduled for Easter 2027, and Alex Proyas’ Heaven in summer 2027. We told you about both projects earlier this year. Both projects are currently casting and we’re told both should enter production soon.

Pulp Fiction writer Avary’s Paradise Lost is based on the John Milton poem of 1667 and is “the ultimate faith-based heroic saga: a cosmic war in the heavens where the charismatic, rebellious archangel Lucifer defies God, is hurled into the abyss of Hell, and vows revenge on all creation. From the fiery lake of damnation, Lucifer rises as Satan to seduce humanity’s first parents, Adam and Eve, in the flawless Garden of Eden, triggering the Fall of Man and the loss of Paradise itself.” You can read more about it here.

Both have been in the works with other studios for some time but couldn’t get off the ground due to financial constraints. The teams are hoping that AI will help make the world-building elements possible. Ex Machina co-founder and CEO Marco Weber (Igby Goes Down) is producing Paradise Lost, with veteran production designer Kirk Petruccelli (Lara Croft: Tomb Raider) executive-producing.

Rimkus, who also serves as Chairman for the Board of National Association of Theatre Owners of California/Nevada, and Cohen will lead a group of execs under the Mayfair Media Group banner including veteran marketing executive John Hegeman, who has worked at Orion Pictures, Blumhouse Tilt, Lionsgate, Artisan Entertainment, and Fox Atomic, and Scott Kennedy, founder of Falling Forward Films.

As previously reported, Ex Machina established an international sales operation through its partnership with Daniel Baur’s K5 International.

Beyond its own slate, Ex Machina says it plans to pursue select third-party acquisitions and service agreements as it expands its theatrical distribution platform.

“We’re excited to partner with Ex Machina Studios as they bring a fresh and innovative approach to the art of filmmaking,” said Mayfair Media Group’s Rimkus. “Their commitment to combining emerging technologies with exceptional storytelling and world-class filmmakers has the potential to redefine what’s possible in independent cinema. We’re proud to help bring these remarkable films to audiences across North America.”

“Marco and the Ex Machina team are creating an amazing and diverse slate of epic theatrical adventures,” added Hegeman. “Frank and I are really excited about bringing these films to audiences in theaters across the country. I think people are going to be blown away by what they see.”

“The idea behind Ex Machina Studios, from the beginning, was to take advantage of rapidly evolving technologies while working with outstanding filmmakers to realize their vision and create original IP without traditional budgetary restrictions or green-light committees,” added Ex Machina’s Marco Weber. “By building our theatrical distribution platform with Frank and the Mayfair team, we can now bring these films directly to audiences in theatres. It’s the next step in building Ex Machina into a destination for forward-thinking filmmakers—giving them greater control of their vision while connecting their work with the audiences it was created for.”