Movies
Hiding a True Monster in ‘Freaks’
Overture has been making a major play in Hollywood over the past few weeks announcing batches of new films from a remake of George Romero’s THE CRAZIES to a remake of the Swedish vampire film LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, which is set to be directed by CLOVERFIELD director Matt Reeves. This evening they’ll be gaining even more fanboys on their side as they’ve set David Gordon Green to direct the horror thriller Freaks of the Heartland, an adaptation of a graphic novel by Steve Niles (30 Days of Night). Read all about it inside.
Overture Films has tapped David Gordon Green to direct the horror thriller “Freaks of the Heartland,” written by freshman scribes Peter Sattler and Geoff Davey. The company recently purchased the rights to the Dark Horse graphic novel written by Steve Niles.
Green and Dark Horse Entertainment president Mike Richardson are producing. Niles, who also wrote “30 Days of Night,” is executive producing.
Illustrated by Greg Ruth, Niles’ six-part 2004 series about the horrible secret of a rural Middle American town involves Trevor Owen’s attempts to protect his “monster” of a 6-year-old younger brother and Gristlewood Valley’s other “freaks” from their parents’ worst instincts.
Overture COO Danny Rosett, who worked with Green on his 2004 film “Undertow” when Rosett was at United Artists, pre-emptively purchased the rights for the company.
Overture continues to accelerate its development of genre material; it has “Pandorum” shooting in Berlin and “The Crazies,” a reinvention of George A. Romero’s 1973 horror film, in development with Breck Eisner attached to direct.
The Liberty Media studio also recently acquired remake rights to the Swedish horror film “Let the Right One In,” which “Cloverfield” director Matt Reeves will write and direct; the Icelandic mystery “Jar City”; and the Israeli comedy “92 Minutes.”
Overture has “Last Chance Harvey” and “Nothing Like the Holidays” releasing before year’s end. “Righteous Kill” was its most recent opening.
Green, who is repped by CAA and the Gotham Group, most recently directed “Pineapple Express” and “Snow Angels.” Gotham also reps Sattler, Davey and Dark Horse. Niles is repped by CAA.
The animated Hotel Transylvania franchise will return with a fifth installment, with The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania officially announced for upcoming release in 2027.
The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania is coming to theaters October 8, 2027.
Sony Pictures Animation and Amazon MGM Studios join forces for the new movie.
Deadline explains, “While Hotel Transylvania was born as a Sony property, when theaters were closed during Covid, the Culver City lot licensed the fourth movie, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, to Amazon to stream on Prime Video. As part of that deal, Amazon MGM Studios got dibs to be a co-producer on the next movie.”
“In this new installment, Drac has happily settled into retirement while Mavis takes the reins of the legendary monster hotel,” the outlet details. “But when a series of spooky and unexplained happenings sends chills through the resort, the Drac Pack embarks on its most spellbinding adventure yet: uncovering the mystery behind the haunting of Hotel Transylvania.”
Jennifer Kluska and Alan Hawkins are directing The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania.
“From the beginning, Hotel Transylvania has invited audiences into a world where monsters feel like family,” said Kristine Belson and Damien de Froberville, Presidents of Sony Pictures Animation. “These films have been a cornerstone of Sony Animation’s storytelling identity, blending a unique visual style with heartfelt, character-driven comedy. With this next installment, we’re honoring that legacy of heart and humor while delivering the unexpected surprises audiences love.”
Courtenay Valenti, Head of Film, Amazon MGM Studios adds, “Hotel Transylvania is one of those rare franchises that has become a beloved tradition for families around the world – a film series that has always balanced irreverent humor with genuine heart. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Sony Pictures Animation to bring the Drac Pack back to the big screen and continue this legacy of inventive, character-driven storytelling that audiences have embraced for over a decade.”