Movies
‘The House of the Devil’ Finds a New Home
Some interesting news came in this morning as Magnet Releasing, the genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, announced today that it has acquired U.S. rights to Ti West’s critically acclaimed horror film The House of the Devil (review). A terrifically crafted homage to 80s horror masterpieces, the film premiered at Tribeca earlier this year and is sure to be an instant classic among genre fans, expertly building a mood of mounting dread to a shockingly terrifying climax. Read on for more info on the deal.
Director West, who was recently tapped by Hollywood to direct a high profile sequel, THE HAUNTING IN GEORGIA, has been regarded as something of a horror wunderkind since 2005’s THE ROOST, and THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL unquestionably fulfills that promise.
The deal was negotiated by Magnolia’s Senior Vice President Tom Quinn with Josh Braun of Submarine and Roger Kass of RingTheJing Entertainment, on behalf of MPI Media Group, Glass Eye PIX, RingTheJing Entertainment and Constructovision.
Magnet is excited to release THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL as part of the Magnolia/Magnet Ultra VOD program, which will offer home viewers a chance to see the film a month before it debuts theatrically. Magnet plans to launch the film on VOD late September 2009, with a theatrical release timed to Halloween.
THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL stars the sexy Jocelin Donahue stars as college student Samantha Hughes who takes a babysitting job in a remote mansion with her good friend Megan (indie favorite Greta Gerwig). She’s desperate for money and the pay is good, but something feels wrong, and Samantha quickly realizes that the girls are trapped. As a lunar eclipse darkens the night sky, she realizes that her employers–cult favorites Tom Noonan (MANHUNTER) and Mary Woronov (ROCK AND ROLL HIGH SCHOOL)–have something truly terrifying in store for them.
“Ti West is without a doubt one of the biggest talents in horror right now,” said Magnet/Magnolia SVP and Head of Acquisitions Tom Quinn. “THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL is smart, truly scary, and an awesome throwback to what made 80s horror great. This kind of film is what Magnet is all about.”
“Eamonn Bowles and Tom Quinn have been enthusiastic supporters of this film from the very beginning,” said Greg Newman of MPI Media Group. “We are pleased that the film has found a home with Magnet/Magnolia, a company that truly appreciates the genre and will give the film an expertly crafted release.”
“I’m psyched we found such a great home at Magnolia Pictures,” said director Ti West. “They continue to release interesting and progressive content and have one of the most impressive slates of independent film to date. They are the perfect fit for THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL.”
THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL was produced by Roger Kass, Josh Braun, Larry Fessenden and Peter Phok with Executive Producers Malik B Ali, Badie Ali, Hamza Ali and Greg Newman. Ti West wrote, directed and edited the film.
Movies
’28 Years Later’ – Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson Join Long Awaited Sequel
Danny Boyle and Alex Garland (Annihilation, Men), the director and writer behind 2002’s hit horror film 28 Days Later, are reteaming for the long-awaited sequel, 28 Years Later. THR reports that the sequel has cast Jodie Comer (Alone in the Dark, “Killing Eve”), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kraven the Hunter), and Ralph Fiennes (The Menu).
The plan is for Garland to write 28 Years Later and Boyle to direct, with Garland also planning on writing at least one more sequel to the franchise – director Nia DaCosta is currently in talks to helm the second installment.
No word on plot details as of this time, or who Comer, Taylor-Johnson, and Fiennes may play.
28 Days Later received a follow up in 2007 with 28 Weeks Later, which was executive produced by Boyle and Garland but directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. Now, the pair hope to launch a new trilogy with 28 Years Later. The plan is for Garland to write all three entries, with Boyle helming the first installment.
Boyle and Garland will also produce alongside original producer Andrew Macdonald and Peter Rice, the former head of Fox Searchlight Pictures, the division of one-time studio Twentieth Century Fox that originally backed the British-made movie and its sequel.
The original film starred Cillian Murphy “as a man who wakes up from a coma after a bicycle accident to find England now a desolate, post-apocalyptic collapse, thanks to a virus that turned its victims into raging killers. The man then navigates the landscape, meeting a survivor played by Naomie Harris and a maniacal army major, played by Christopher Eccleston.”
Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) is on board as executive producer, though the actor isn’t set to appear in the film…yet.
Talks of a third installment in the franchise have been coming and going for the last several years now – at one point, it was going to be titled 28 Months Later – but it looks like this one is finally getting off the ground here in 2024 thanks to this casting news. Stay tuned for more updates soon!
Five Underseen Vampire Horror Movies to Stream This Week
Dev Patel’s ‘Monkey Man’ Is Now Available to Watch at Home!
Looking for New Episodes of “Chucky” on Peacock? Here’s What Changed
‘The Blair Witch Project’ – Original Stars Release a Statement Asking Lionsgate for Residuals & Recognition
‘Mountain Man’ – Joe Manganiello Will Battle Zombies in Upcoming Horror Movie
