Pride And Prejudice And Zombies (2015) - Distribution Deal And Casting News

Deadline brings us the following news:

Screen Gems has closed a deal for U.S. distribution rights, and Game Of Thrones‘ Charles Dance and Lena Headey have joined the cast. The film stars Lily James, Sam Riley, Bella Heathcoate, Jack Huston, Douglas Booth, Matt Smith, and Suki Waterhouse.

Screen Gems seems a strong match for this literary mash-up that begins with the tangled relationship between lovers from different social classes in 19th-century England, and is complicated by a full-on outbreak of zombies. That plot embellishment escaped Austen but was added by Seth Grahame-Smith, and it probably would have propelled me to actually finish Austen’s book had she thought of it in the first place. Latest script is by Steers.

Lazarus: Day Of The Living Dead (2014) - Retro/Zombie Flick Gets a Home with Origin Releasing

Los Angeles / February 15, 2014 - Writer/Director Thomas J. Churchill's (SyFy's Monster Man, Emerging Past) 1957 styled zombie film Lazarus: Day of the Living Dead tells the story of the beginning of the zombie apocalypse and is scheduled for a July 2014 summer release through Origin Releasing. Established in late 2012, Origin's team of executives have over 100 years of experience in distribution, production and acquisitions for disc distribution, VOD, television and theatrical. “We are very excited to be working with Thomas and his team at Church Hill Productions and look forward being a part of the distribution of his films,” stated Brian Jaynes, COO at Origin.

"The film will be available everywhere, including but not limited to Redbox and all wholesale stores such as WalMart and BestBuy, and will also be available on all major cable and satellite providers for VOD, including Netflix, iTunes and more," stated Churchill.

Produced by Churchill and David M. Parks with cinematography by Wolfgang Meyer, Lazarus revolves around the character of George Lazarus (Ray Capuana), an insurance investigator who schedules routine interviews with twelve employees of the Deadly Sin Cigarette Company upon the receipt of a rather suspicious insurance claim. In the process, he learns that all twelve had recently been fired for being sick at the job, and then subsequently and without a trace, they disappeared. Two weeks later, with Lazarus now a missing person, his heart-sick fiancée Bethany Loomis (Natalie Victoria) and Chip (Kevin Franklin) undertake the task of finding him. While retracing his steps, they learn that what was initially regarded as a simple fraud investigation case may actually be the beginning of the end of the human race.

Set in Hollywood in 1957, the film also stars Stephen Geoffreys (Fright Night), Brooke Lewis (iMurders), Josh Hammond (Jeepers Creepers 2), James Duval (Sushi Girl), Brian Andrews (Halloween), Janet Tracy Keijser (House on Haunted Hill), Kenneth J. Hall (The Puppet Master), Krista Grotte and Taylor Morgan Lewis. Roy Knyrim’s SOTA FX provides the special effects, with Clayton Brickert and Robert Giddens assisting.

"What we are hoping for audiences to take from their viewing experience of the film," explains Churchill, "is that we want them to say, 'If Hitchcock told a zombie film, this would be it.' I think it's a very intense, graphic and fresh entry to the zombie genre, and we want them to want more as this is the first in a proposed Lazarus trilogy."

LAZARUS trailer
www.thelazarusmovie.com
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Goal Of The Dead (2014) - Distribution Deal

Variety brings us word that the soccer zombie comedy "Goal Of The Dead" has landed an international distribution deal.

Films Distribution co-founder Nicolas Brigaud-Robert said international distributors are aiming for a day-and-date release in theaters and on VOD in time for the soccer World Cup in June. In France, where the release window schedule is the strictest, the film will roll out first in theaters and then become available on VOD for the world cup kick-off. Lastly, it will be released on DVD and air on pay TV in December.

“Distributors understand that theatrical is no longer key nowadays, especially for genre movies like ‘Goal of the Deal,’ so they’re redirecting their marketing spending towards digital and saving on P&A,” said Brigaud-Robert. “‘Goal of the Dead’ is also the perfect kind of film to be released day and date because it’s linked to a global event — the soccer world cup.”

For more on the film, you can visit them on Facebook here.

Dead Snow: Red Vs. Dead (2014) - Distribution Deal Signed

In a competitive situation at Sundance, distributor Well Go USA Entertainment has picked up U.S. rights to the Park City at Midnight crowd favorite DEAD SNOW: RED VS. DEAD, the sequel to the successful cult hit DEAD SNOW, which debuted at Sundance in 2009.

The Norwegian and English-language film was written and directed by Tommy Wirkola and stars Martin Starr, Vegar Hoel, Ingrid Haas, Stig Frode Henriksen, Jocelyn DeBoer and Ørjan Gamst. Kjetil Omberg and Terje Stroemstad of Tappeluft Pictures produced the film. XYZ Films’ Nick Spicer and Todd Brown executive produced, along with Wayne Godfrey from The Fyzz, which also provided a portion of the financing for the film.

Filmed in all-English simultaneously to the half-Norwegian, half-English version that was shown at Sundance, Well Go USA Entertainment will release the all-English version. The company plans to announce a domestic release date shortly.

If the worst day of your life consisted of accidentally killing your girlfriend with an axe, chain-sawing your own arm off, and watching in horror as your closest friends were devoured by a zombified Nazi battalion, you’d have to assume that things couldn’t get much worse. In Martin’s case, that was only the beginning. Picking up immediately where the original left off, DEAD SNOW: RED VS. DEAD wastes no time getting right to the gore-filled action, leaving a bloody trail of intestines in its wake.

The deal, which marks one of the largest U.S. sales ever for a Norwegian film, was brokered by Well Go USA Entertainment President Doris Pfardrescher with CAA, XYZ Films’ Nate Bolotin, and Elle Driver on behalf of the filmmakers. Elle Driver also represents the film’s international distribution rights.

“DEAD SNOW: RED VS DEAD is non-stop fun from beginning to end, and we’re thrilled to be able to bring it to DEAD SNOW fans in the U.S. It’s everything the fans loved from the first movie, except bigger, better and bloodier… Who doesn’t love a good zombie movie, especially when Nazi zombies are involved!” said Pfardrescher.

“We had so much fun working with Kjetil, Terje and Tommy on this film and couldn’t be happier to land it with Well Go. They know the audience well, and we’re anticipating great success in the U.S. market,” said Spicer.

XYZ executive produced and handled international sales on the hit action film THE RAID: REDEMPTION, which was released by Sony Pictures Classics. They are also handling international sales on Sundance competition film LIFE AFTER BETH, starring Aubrey Plaza, Dane DeHaan, Anna Kendrick, John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Matthew Gray Gubler, Cheryl Hines, and Paul Reiser.

XYZ Films produced and is handling world sales on THE RAID 2, from writer/director Gareth Huw Evans as well as KILLERS, which is co-directed by Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel (The Mo Brothers). Both films are world premiering at Sundance 2014.

The Returned (2013) - North American Distribution Rights Acquired

The announcement:

Music Box Films has acquired all U.S. rights to the eight-part French mini-series The Returned (aka Rebound) from Zodiak Rights. Created by Fabrice Gobert and produced by Caroline Benjo, Jimmy Desmarais, and Carole Scotta of Haut et Court, The Returned is based on the feature film Les Revenants by Robin Campillo. This gripping and stylish supernatural drama was a hit for France's Canal+, and its debut on UK's Channel 4 averaged 1.5 million viewers.

Following a soon-to-be-announced major US television channel premiere in October, Music Box Films Home Entertainment will release The Returned on VOD platforms January 1, 2014, and DVD/Blu-ray January 21.

The film synopsis:

In a post-zombie world, where the infected live normal lives, their retroviral drug is running out.

Stalled (2013) - North American Distribution Deal

Uncork’d Entertainment has inked North American theatrical, VOD, digital and home entertainment rights to the critically-acclaimed horror comedy STALLED. The film debuted recently at Film4 FrightFest in the U.K. to two sold-out screenings with a third being added due to the demand. STALLED was written by Dan Palmer and directed by Christian James. The film will have its North American theatrical premiere at the recently opened Alamo Drafthouse in Richardson, TX, followed by additional theaters in early October 2013. Uncork’d Entertainment’s Keith Leopard made today’s announcement.

“STALLED is one of those projects that people can’t seem to stop talking about," commented Leopard. “It’s got a bit of everything – horror, comedy and zombies. Think ‘Evil Dead’ but in a restroom. We’re pleased to be working with these creative filmmakers to unleash their film in the U.S. and Canada”

“It’s always great to work with people that are smart, well-connected and genuinely enthusiastic about films,” commented Christian James, the director of STALLED. “And this sums up Uncork’d. We are sure they will flush away the competition when STALLED is released this fall.”

Dubbed “one of the cleverest films seen to-date,” STALLED is like no other zombie film. An unlucky maintenance man finds himself stuck in the ladies restroom during a zombie apocalypse. The film stars Dan Palmer (Small Town Folk), Antonia Bernath (Elvis), Mark Holden (World War Z) and Giles Alderson (The Possession of David O’Reilly).

“Director Christian James and writer/star Palmer, who previously collaborated on Freak Out, deliver something surprisingly fresh…” said Screen International’s Kim Newman. “…this is a worthy successor to Shaun of the Dead and Harold’s Going Stiff in its mix of homage to past zombie film glories and very British social comedy.”

Alan Jones, co-founder of FrightFest commented about STALLED, “Consistently hilarious, brilliantly executed, cleverly constructed and visually imaginative. Director Christian James’ remarkable comedy horror is The Evil Dead meets Phone Booth in a toilet.”

The distribution deal covers North American rights for theatrical, VOD, home entertainment and digital. The deal was negotiated by Leopard for Uncork’d and by Odin’s Eye Entertainment Michael Favelle for Stalled.

Cannibal Diner (2012) - North American Distribution Announced

The film now has North American distribution. The date will be announced soon!

Kati (Alexandra Lesch) is a young model on her way to a birthday party for her little sister Celine (Lara Baum). Tanja (Kristiana Rohder), Kati's best friend, and other friends want to celebrate and camp near the woods. While preparing the party, the girls get attacked by strangers. 

Kati, still on the way to the camping place, loses her way in the woods and is led on to the wrong track by a vagabond (Jessica Klauss). When her car is stolen afterwards, Kati finds herself lost deep in the forest and arrives at an old factory, where a clan of cannibals is already preparing their feast's main course - Kati's friends. 

The Demented (2012) - Distribution Deal

Deadline brings us the following news for the film, which has just finished up production work:

Anchor BayFilms has acquired English speaking terrritorial rights to The Demented, and has added the thriller to its 2013 slate. Produced by Zero Gravity Management and ChickFlicks,The Demented is another zombie-fest, populated by young genre fixtures that include I Spit On Your Grave‘s Sarah Butler, Michael Welch (Twilight Saga), Kayla Ewell (Vampire Diaries), Brittney Alger (21 Jump Street) and Richard Kohnke (Mighty Fine).

The plot synopsis for the film reads:

Six college friends meet up for a carefree weekend that turns deadly. A terrorist attack in a nearby town infects much of the townspeople with a deadly virus that induces rabies-like symptoms, only far more severe. Several of those infected (the title characters) attack the estate where the friends have been vacationing. Can they survive? Where will they hide? Is anyone left? Will we ever get our fill of these flesh-eating zombie fiends?

A Little Bit Zombie (2012) Lands US Distribution

The Hollywood Reporter tells us that Phase 4 Films has picked up "A Little Bit Zombie" for distribution in the US. No work on when the film will actually hit,though.

The Amazing Adventure Of The Living Corpse (2012) - Distribution News

Anchor Bay Films announced today the acquisition of distribution rights in the English-speaking territories (U.S., Canada, UK, Australia-New Zealand) for The Amazing Adventures of the Living Corpse, a new animated motion picture based on the comic book by the same name from Dynamite Entertainment Comics. Produced by Shoreline Entertainment, the film debuted this past weekend at Comic-Con International. The deal was announced by Bill Clark, President of Anchor Bay Entertainment.

“The Amazing Adventures of the Living Corpse premiered at Comic-Con in San Diego on Saturday night to a sold out, raucous and cheering crowd,” stated Morris Ruskin, producer of the film and CEO of Shoreline Entertainment, Inc. “According to co-creator of the comic, Ken Haeser, the fans seemed to really appreciate that the production captured the essence of the graphic novel.”

The film is an adaptation of the underground hit graphic novel by Ken Haeser and Buz Hasson. A guilt-ridden corpse takes on a heavy burden when he agrees to help a Fallen Angel keep the other undead in their graves and powers of evil from corrupting our world.

The nature of the superhero making its transition from the sublime pages of comic books to the magical screens of cinema, however, will be slightly unique this time around. For starters, the title character isn’t your typical caped crusader – he’s a zombie. And he’s not just a typical zombie, either. He’s a contentious, imposing citizen of the walking dead club with an intact memory from when he was alive, and a mission to protect the Earth from other brain-sucking flesh-eaters. The Amazing Adventures of the Living Corpse, which was directed by Justin Ritter, produced by Ritter and Ruskin and Executive Produced by Eduardo Castro, Eileen Craft, Darcy Feld and Dennis Sonnenschein, took three years to animate and was rendered in state-of-the-art RealD 3D.

"Night Of The Living Dead: Origins 3D" Gets Distribution

From this article at Variety:

Newly formed sales banner Meyers Media Group will handle international sales on director Zebediah De Soto's "Night of the Living Dead: Origins 3D" from Simon West Prods.