Exclusives
Columbia Pictures Acquires FX Guru’s Screenplay ‘Supermax’
Update: We’re told that ‘ Supermax’ is not related in ANY way with the WB Super Max Green Arrow thing… We got some pretty rad news for you guys this afternoon as Bloody Disgusting got the exclusive news that Sony’s Columbia Pictures has acquired the original spec horror action script Supermax from actor/writers Christopher Allen Nelson (Kill Bill Vol. 2, The Dead Girl, The Tripper, Criminal Minds) and Mitch Rouse (Strangers With Candy, Employee of the Month, Reno 911). Read on for more details, including a synopsis.
Pictured: Christopher Allen Nelson, left, and Mitch Rouse
“Supermax” takes place in a Maximum Security Prison for the Super-Natural as a skilled guard must join forces with a lethal inmate after a riot ensues in order to fight his way through various monsters and mad-men in order to survive.
The script was acquired for a reported six figures.
For those of you who don’t know Chris Nelson, his background began in special FX as he’s worked on over 35 movies (IMDB) including Return of the Living Dead II, Bordello of Blood, Nightwatch, Species II, Constantine, Sin City, among many others.
The project is being Executive Produced by DeVon Franklin and Doug Belgrad for Sony and also Executive Produced by Sean Robins and Todd Garner for Broken Road Productions.
Shooting is set to begin in early 2010 with more details coming soon.
Nelson and Rouse met on the dark comedy feature “Employee of the Month” (the Matt Dillon one) and went on to star together in the Spike TV series “The Factory”.
A crime scene leads to horror in The Cycle, the latest from director Jordan Downey ( The Head Hunter, V/H/S/Beyond), and our exclusive first look introduces lead Deborah Ann Woll (“Daredevil: Born Again“, Escape Room) as she investigates the darkly personal case.
The Cycle will debut exclusively on Shudder on October 23, 2026.
The logline reads, “When the body of a man missing for thirty-six years is discovered at the scene of a horrific crime, it’s up to his estranged daughter to unravel his dark past.“
Also starring in The Cycle is Jeffrey Donovan (“Burn Notice“, Villains).
Jordan Downey wrote the screenplay with Kevin Stewart (The Head Hunter).
“We are so excited about The Cycle; Jordan has crafted such an original story that is gonna excite audiences. For us he has the ability to be the next great genre filmmaker and we can’t wait to make the movie,” said James Harris of production company Tea Shop (Obsession, 47 Meters Down). Peter Heller also produces.
Deborah Ann Woll rose to fame as the feisty vampire Jessica Hamby in HBO’s “True Blood” before becoming a fan favorite as Karen Page in Marvel’s “Daredevil” series. While horror fans recognize her from Escape Room and its sequel, Escape Room: Tournament of Champions, the versatile actress has captured gamers’ attention as Laufey, Kratos’ wife in God of War: Ragnarök. She’ll receive her solo spinoff game in the upcoming God of War: Laufey.
As for Jordan Downey, The Cycle will mark his long-awaited feature follow-up to the underseen gem, The Head Hunter, but the rising filmmaker also has sci-fi thriller Override on the way.
Stay tuned for more.