Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. is one of the last independent film studios in Hollywood. But it might not stay that way forever.

That’s the hope of investor John Kornitzer, the fourth-largest holder of Class A shares in the company, which produced “The Hunger Games” and the Tyler Perry films.

He sees a new partnership with Amazon.com Inc. as the first step toward a possible takeover by the e-commerce giant -- a move that would deliver a payday to beleaguered investors in the studio. Lions Gate has lost about a third of its value this year.

Amazon (AMZN) is working with Lions Gate to launch the studio’s Starz network internationally on the Prime Video service. If that rollout is successful, Amazon might swallow up the film and TV producer to bolster its video lineup, said the investor, who serves as president of Kornitzer Capital Management.

“Who knows?” he said in an interview.

A suitor like Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) also could swoop in and acquire Lions Gate, Kornitzer said. Still, that company has disavowed any plans to buy a traditional entertainment company.

Despite the stock’s struggles this year, it’s put together a small winning streak. Lions Gate shares ( LGF.A) are indicated higher in Friday’s pre-market trading, extending Thursday’s 4 percent climb to $22.66 and potentially marking its fourth straight day of advances. Vice Chairman Michael Burns reported buying 50,000 shares this week, a sign that management has faith in the company’s long-term outlook.

Lions Gate also posted better-than-expected earnings last month. And Starz shows like “Outlander” and “Power” are helping fuel subscriber growth.

If Lions Gate can string together three or four quarters of good results, the stock is “going to go way up,” Kornitzer said.