Shudder acquires post-apocalyptic thriller Hallowarrior – the feature debut of writer-director Ben Sottak. The film follows Pumpkin, the sole survivor of a world-ending plague, as she scavenges the wasteland on the eve of Halloween.
Milly Shapiro (Hereditary) stars as the lead, with AJ Bowen (You’re Next) and Shannyn Sossamon (A Knight’s Tale). Hallowarrior will have its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival on June 10.
It will be great to see Shapiro once again in a horror film, following her amazing Hereditary (2018) debut, where she showed how a clicking noise can be so terrifying.
Electric Entertainment (Prod. Comp: Geostorm starring Gerard Butler) acquires the worldwide distribution rights for the feature O Horizon. The film follows a young neuroscientist navigating through a new romance and a career discovery. Maria Bakalova (The Apprentice) and David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck) star in the film. Variance (film distribution company) will release the film in the U.S. on June 12.
QWGmire (Prod. Comp: The Life of Chuck starring Tom Hiddleston) makes a development pact with Japanese horror producer Taka Ichise. Ichise played a crucial role in bringing J-horror to its global popularity in the 1990s with films like Ringu (1998) and The Grudge (2004). The new contract will have QWGmire and Ichise develop and finance a new slate of horror films in the U.S. market.
The Paris-based Banijay is bringing the BBC’s The Northumbria Mysteries to the international market. The detective drama is set up like a crime version of The Odd Couple, set in North East England, starring Grantchester actor Robson Green. Casting is still underway with production beginning shortly in the UK.
Kacie Fagan promoted to L.A. Director of Development for Constantin Film (Prod. Comp: The NeverEnding Story).