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 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:
Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.
When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.
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