Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) and FilmDistrict have partnered with Ghost House Pictures on a worldwide deal–excluding U.K. and France–for Sony Pictures to distribute the remake of Evil Dead. The announcement was made by Steven Bersch, SPWA President, and Peter Schlessel, CEO of FilmDistrict. Lia Buman, FilmDistrict’s EVP of Acquisitions, will oversee the project.
Original producing partners Rob Tapert, Bruce Campbell (who also starred in the original franchise) and Sam Raimi will produce. Ghost House Pictures partners Joe Drake and Nathan Kahane will executive produce. Nicole Brown and J.R. Young will oversee the project for Ghost House.
Rob Tapert stated, “For 30 years, Sam, Bruce and I have been looking for the right home where we could return the deadites to the big screen. Amy Pascal and Jeff Blake at Sony and Peter Schlessel at FilmDistrict have always been incredible partners who share our passion for great storytelling as well as our obsession for scaring the pants off the audience. Together, we are looking forward to terrorizing a whole new generation.”
Added Schlessel, “I have been part of the extended Ghost House family for a long time. It’s fantastic to continue the relationship as we bring this classic horror film to a new generation of fans.”
“Sony Pictures has a fantastic history collaborating with both Ghost House and Film District and we couldn’t be more excited to continue working together on the contemporary adaptation of ‘Evil Dead,'” said Jeff Blake, Chairman of Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing and Distribution. “Sam and Rob have an extraordinary vision and we can’t wait to share this film with audiences in most territories throughout the world.”
Fede Alvarez, who will direct the film, wrote the script with Rodo Sayagues. Academy Award winning screenwriter Diablo Cody did revisions on the draft. Ghost House, FilmDistrict and SPWA are committed to renewing the franchise and have the film on the fast track towards a 2012 production start.
Often imitated, never equaled. Evil Dead was the horror movie that started it all. Now, after 30 years, Raimi and the original creators are passing the reins of their beloved classic to Alvarez. In this retelling, five friends hole up at a remote cabin where they discover a Book of the Dead. A demonic force is unleashed possessing each until only one is left to fight for survival.
