We’re back with another horror news round-up, this time focusing on a recent seance event that took place in Hollywood ahead of Universal’s home media release of Ouija. We also have acquisition details on Joe Dante’s zom com, Burying the Ex, as well as news on another supernatural pilot order from The CW, and new images from Epic Pictures Group’s upcoming horror anthology movie, Tales of Halloween.
A Blumhouse Productions and Platinum Dunes film from Universal Pictures, Ouija comes out on Blu-ray and DVD today and to celebrate the film’s home media release, Universal recently hosted a get-together in Hollywood that included Jason Blum and real life Ouija guru Robert Murch (an advisor on the film), who showed those in attendance how to conduct a proper seance:
“CEO of Blumhouse Pictures Jason Blum, director Stiles White, actress Bianca Santos, and Ouija historian & expert Robert Murch attended the Ouija Scavenger Hunt and Seance Event at the historic Boardners in Hollywood on Thursday, January 29th.”
Directed by Stiles White off a screenplay he co-wrote with Juliet Snowden, and based on the go-to sleepover board game for decades, Ouija stars Douglas Smith (Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters), Bianca A. Santos (The Fosters), Ana Coto (DISconnected), and Daren Kagasoff (The Secret Life of the American Teenager):
“After Debbie (Shelley Hennig, “Teen Wolf”) suddenly dies, her best friend Laine (Olivia Cooke, “Bates Motel,”) attempts to contact her using an antique Ouija board she finds in Debbie’s room. When the curious teen begins asking the board questions and stumbles upon the mystery of her friend’s death, Laine discovers a resident spirit calling itself DZ, and eerie, inexplicable events begin to follow her. The group of friends digs deeper into the history of Debbie’s house and are shocked to find that Debbie wasn’t the first victim—and won’t be be the last if they don’t figure out how to close the portal to the spirit world they’ve opened.”
Directed by horror genre guru Joe Dante (Gremlins, The Howling) off a script by Alan Trezza, Burying the Ex has been acquired by Image Entertainment, with a theatrical and VOD release expected this summer. The zombie horror-comedy stars Anton Yelchin (Fright Night remake, Odd Thomas), Ashley Greene (Skateland, Twilight movies), and Alexandra Daddario (Texas Chainsaw 3D, True Detective):
Press Release - “LOS ANGELES, Feb. 2, 2015 – Image Entertainment, an RLJ Entertainment (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand, has acquired all U.S. rights to the highly-anticipated horror comedy from renowned director Joe Dante. Written by Alan Trezza (TV’s “Sanctuary”), BURYING THE EX stars Anton Yelchin (ODD THOMAS, FRIGHT NIGHT), Ashley Greene (TWILIGHT) and Alexandra Daddario (TV’s “True Detective”). The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, is expected to be released in theaters and on VOD in the summer of 2015. Mark Ward, RLJ Entertainment’s Senior Vice President of Acquisitions for the Image brands, made the announcement today.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with legendary filmmaker Joe Dante,” said Ward. “He brings a unique vision and style to BURYING THE EX. We are confident that his fans and the genre community will embrace the film.”
BURYING THE EX follows Max (Anton Yelchin), an all-around nice guy, and his overbearing but incredibly beautiful girlfriend, Evelyn (Ashely Greene). Their relationship takes a nosedive after they decide to move in together and Evelyn turns out to be a controlling, manipulative nightmare. Max realizes it’s time to call it quits, but there’s just one problem: he’s too afraid to break up with her. Fate steps in when Evelyn is involved in a freak accident and dies, leaving Max single and ready to mingle. Several weeks later, he has a chance encounter with Olivia (Alexandra Daddario), a cute and spirited girl who just might be his soul mate. But that same night, Evelyn returns from the grave as a dirt-smeared Zombie and she’s determined to live happily ever after with Max …
Produced by Mary Cybriwsky (MIDNIGHT MAN), Carl Effenson (HIDE AWAY), David Johnson (THE PEOPLE SPEAK), Frankie Lindquist (REACH ME), Kyle Tekiela (A SISTER’S CAL) and Alan Trezza, the deal was negotiated by Mark Ward on behalf of RLJE/Image Entertainment and Cassian Elwes, CAA and Voltage Pictures on behalf of the filmmakers.
ABOUT RLJ ENTERTAINMENT
RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) is a premier independent owner, developer, licensee, and distributor of entertainment content and programming in primarily North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia. RLJE is a leader in numerous genres via its owned and distributed brands such as Acorn (British TV), Image (feature films, stand-up comedy), UMC (urban), Acacia (fitness), Athena (documentaries), and Madacy (gift sets). These titles are distributed in multiple formats including broadcast television (including satellite and cable), theatrical and non-theatrical, DVD, Blu-Ray, digital download, and digital streaming.
Via its relationship with Agatha Christie Limited, a company that RLJE owns 64% of, RLJE manages the intellectual property and publishing rights to some of the greatest works of mystery fiction, including stories of the iconic sleuths Miss Marple and Poirot. RLJE also owns all rights to the hit UK mystery series Foyle’s War.
RLJE leverages its management experience to acquire, distribute and monetize existing and original content for its many distribution channels, including its branded digital subscription channels, Acorn TV, Acacia TV, and UMC, and engages distinct audiences with programming that appeals directly to their unique viewing interests. Through its proprietary e-commerce web sites and print catalogs for the Acorn and Acacia brands, RLJE has direct contacts and billing relationships with millions of consumers.”
Soon after announcing that they had ordered a pilot for the Tales From the Darkside reboot, Deadline reported that The CW had also green-lit a pilot for the paranormal drama series, Dead People. The project is slated for the network’s 2015–’16 schedule and comes from Tom Kapinos (Californication) and J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot:
“Dead People centers on a down-on-his-luck, semi-alcoholic but roguishly charming cab driver. After a near-death experience, he suddenly has the ability to interact with ghosts, including his late ex-wife who he has never gotten over.”
Three additional images have been unveiled from Epic Pictures Group’s upcoming horror anthology film, Tales of Halloween, which will feature ten interconnected segments from 11 directors (including Neil Marshall, Darren Lynn Bousman, and John Skipp), with planned cameos from Joe Dante, John Landis, Adam Green, Mick Garris, Stuart Gordon, and Adrienne Barbeau:
“Hollywood, Calif., January 5, 2015 – Epic Pictures Group is proud to announce the cast, cameos and short stories surrounding the highly anticipated horror anthology Tales of Halloween.
“We have received so much support from the horror community in this film,” said Epic Pictures Group CEO Patrick Ewald. “Joe Dante and Adam Green and many notable actors came to the set and showed their respect and enthusiasm, even participating in the film with key cameo roles. I can’t wait until the film is finished for everyone to enjoy.”
Eleven renowned horror movie genre directors have joined forces with Epic Pictures under the name The October Society to create a series of interconnected stories each with a unique Halloween theme for Tales of Halloween. The directors include Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II, III & IV), Axelle Carolyn (Soulmate), Adam Gierasch (Night of the Demons), Andrew Kasch (Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy), Neil Marshall (The Descent), Lucky McKee (All Cheerleaders Die, The Woman), Mike Mendez (Big Ass Spider!), Dave Parker (The Hills Run Red), Ryan Schifrin (Abominable), John Skipp (Stay at Home Dad), and Paul Solet (Grace). Directors Kasch and Skipp are co-directing one of the short films together.
“In Tales of Halloween, every role is filled with iconic figures like John Landis and Stuart Gordon,” said Epic Pictures Co-Founder Shaked Berenson. “It’s a big bloody love letter made by horror fans for horror fans.”
Tales of Halloween will showcase the following ten short stories:
“TRICK” Directed by Adam Gierasch
“BAD SEED” Directed by Neil Marshall
“GRIMM GRINNING GHOST” Directed by Axelle Carolyn
“THE WEAK AND THE WICKED” Directed by Paul Solet
“FRIDAY THE 31st” Directed by Mike Mendez
“THE RANSOM OF RUSTY REX” Directed by Ryan Schifrin
“THIS MEANS WAR” Directed by Andrew Kasch and John Skipp
“THE NIGHT BILLY RAISED HELL” Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman
“SWEET TOOTH” Directed by Dave Parker
“DING DONG” Directed by Lucky McKee
The films has an ensemble cast including Pat Healy, Barry Bostwick, Noah Segan, Booboo Stewart, Greg Grunberg, Clare Kramer, Alex Essoe, Lin Shaye, Dana Gould, James Duval, Elissa Dowling, Grace Phipps, Pollyana McIntosh, Marc Senter, Tiffany Shepis, John F. Beach, Trent Haaga, Casey Ruggieri, Kristina Klebe, Cerina Vincent, John Savage, Keir Gilchrist, Nick Principe, Amanda Moyer, Jennifer Wenger, Sam Witwer, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Ben Woolf, Caroline Williams, Robert Rusler, Cameron Easton, Austin Falk, Madison Iseman, Daniel Dimaggio, Natalie Castillo, Ben Stillwell and Hunter Smit.
Cameos also include Joe Dante, John Landis, Adam Green, Adam Pascal, Adrianne Curry, Mick Garris, Lombardo Boyer, Graham Skipper, Stuart Gordon, Greg McLean, Spooky Dan Walker and Adrienne Barbeau.
The ten stories will be woven together by their shared theme of Halloween night in an American suburb, where ghouls, imps, aliens and axe murderers appear for one night only to terrorize unsuspecting residents.
The directors have created a manifesto with rules to create their films based on the values of Halloween night. The antithesis of the Dogme 95 manifesto, the directors will not be frugal with special effects, props and musical score, and have already attracted notable talent in the horror genre, such as composers Frank Ilfman (Big Bad Wolves) and Joseph Bishara (The Conjuring).
Axelle Carolyn created the concept and brought the filmmakers together for this unique production. Tales of Halloween is being produced by Patrick Ewald and Shaked Berenson of Epic Pictures Group along with Mike Mendez and Axelle Carolyn.
Epic Pictures Group closed a stellar year with two films, TURBO KID and ENTERTAINMENT, premiering at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. Other releases include the cult hit BIG ASS SPIDER!, which received a 2014 Saturn Award.”
The post Horror Round-Up: Ouija Seance Event, Burying the Ex, The CW’s ‘Dead People’ Pilot, New Tales of Halloween Images appeared first on Daily Dead.