News

Exclusive: Patrick Fischer and Richard Kondal’s UK-based outfit, Big Safari Productions, and Hannah Leader and Amory Leader’s Big Book Media are launching what they’ve described as a “commercially-driven” film banner called Cobalt 27.

The group has said the company will be dedicated to developing, packaging, and fully financing a slate of “commercially driven, globally appealing films in the $10–50 million range.”

Cobalt 27’s first project is The Beauty of Sharks with director Peter Chelsom (Funny Bones), a thriller set in Amalfi, Italy, in 1958. Producers are Amory Leader, Chip Diggins, Lee Brazier, and Colin Vaines. Casting is through Susanne Scheel (Past Lives), with Indiana Productions partnering for the Italian shoot.

“In a time when great stories are too often stuck in development limbo, we’re excited to build something agile, well-capitalised, and truly collaborative,” Hannah and Amory Leader said in a statement. “We’re proud to join forces with Big Safari,...

Saban Films has acquired North American rights to the British thriller “Kill,” starring Paul Higgins, Brian Vernel, Daniel Portman, Calum Ross (“Wednesday”), Anita Vettesse, James Harkness and Joanne Thomson (“The Victim”).

The film, which explores the history of violence, the power of family and the dangers of revenge, marks the feature directorial debut of Rodger Griffiths, who devised the story and co-wrote the screenplay with Rob Drummond.

“Kill” follows a hunting trip that turns deadly when three brothers plot to murder their violent, abusive father. Determined to end the cycle of abuse that has already claimed their mother, the boys bury him in the forest. But returning later to the shallow grave, there is a problem. The body is not there. As fear and paranoia set in, the trio are forced to question each other’s loyalty, with devastating consequences.

The film, which first bowed at the Edinburgh Film Festival last year,...

Kaleidoscope Film Distribution have snapped up Scottish thriller “Kill” for the U.K. market and are set to launch international sales at AFM.

The debut feature from creator, director and co-writer Rodger Griffiths, “Kill” is a story of violence, family and revenge. It follows three desperate brothers who “return to the woods where they shot and buried their abusive father, only to find his shallow grave empty,” reads the logline. “Now, someone is hunting them.” Rob Drummond co-wrote the film, which premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in August.

Paul Higgins (“Line of Duty”), Brian Vernel (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”) and Daniel Portman (“Game of Thrones”) star alongside Calum Ross (“Wednesday”), Anita Vettesse (“Outlander”), James Harkness (“Darkest Hour”) and Joanne Thomson (“The Victim”).

It is produced by Lee Brazier (“Yesterday”) of Mr B Films and Synchronicity Films’ Claire Mundell in association with Great Point Media and Wild Sheep.

Principal photography on the film began June 6.

Rodger Griffiths’ feature directorial debut Kill, produced by Clare Mundell’s Scotland-based Synchronicity Films and Lee Brazier’s Mr B Films, has started shooting in the UK.

The UK-us feature stars 2015 Screen Star of Tomorrow Brian Vernel, with Daniel Portman, Calum Ross and Paul Higgins.

CAA Media Finance is handling worldwide sales. Los Angeles-based Wild Sheep Content has joined as co-producer, with financing from Los Angeles outfit Library Pictures International and the UK’s Great Point Media.

It is supported by Screen Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen.

Kill centres on three brothers who...

Principal photography on the film began June 6.

Rodger Griffiths’ feature directorial debut Kill, produced by Clare Mundell’s Scotland-based Synchronicity Films and Lee Brazier’s Mr B Films, has started shooting in the UK.

The UK-us feature stars 2015 Screen Star of Tomorrow Brian Vernel, with Daniel Portman, Calum Ross and Paul Higgins.

CAA Media Finance is handling worldwide sales. Los Angeles-based Wild Sheep Content has joined as co-producer, with financing from Los Angeles outfit Library Pictures International and the UK’s Great Point Media.

It is supported by Screen Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen.

Kill centres on three brothers who...

Principal photography on the film began June 6.

Rodger Griffiths’ feature directorial debut Kill, produced by Clare Mundell’s Scotland-based Synchronicity Films and Lee Brazier’s Mr B Films, has started shooting in the UK.

The UK-us feature stars 2015 Screen Star of Tomorrow Brian Vernel, with Ralph Ineson and Lorn Macdonald.

CAA Media Finance is handling worldwide sales. Los Angeles-based Wild Sheep Content has joined as co-producer, with financing from Los Angeles outfit Library Pictures International and the UK’s Great Point Media.

It is supported by Screen Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen.

Kill centres on three brothers who attempt to...

Exclusive: Erik Barmack’s Wild Sheep Content has boarded Synchronicity Films and Mr. B Films’ feature Kill, which has entered principal photography.

Former Netflix International senior exec Barmack, who launched Wild Sheep two years ago, described Kill as “uniquely international, genre, and big in scope,” stating it will “deliver for all partners.” The feature, the debut film from director Rodger Griffiths, is the second Synchronicity project that Wild Sheep has partnered on, following YA TV series One More Kill from Sugar Rush’s Holly Phillips.

Meanwhile, Deadline can reveal that CAA Media Finance is handling worldwide sales for Kill and Library Pictures International and Great Point Media have also boarded the project, which is supported by Screen Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen.

The thriller explores the sins of a father, Don, and the revenge of his three sons, who are out to avenge their mothers’ murder and put an end...

Exclusive: Galway Film Festival winners Andy & Ryan Tohill (The Dig) are set to direct up and comers Levi Miller (Kraven the Hunter), Solly McLeod (star of upcoming ITV series Tom Jones), Isabella Pappas (Finding Alice), Lou Llobell (Foundation), and Izuka Hoyle (Mary Queen of Scots) in Beach Boys. Scripted by Malachi Smyth, the film will be repped at the Cannes Market by Hyde Park International.

Don’t let the title fool you, there is no harmony on display here. Pic takes place over one long summer night when a set of affluent students celebrate the end of term, clash with a group of local youths who’ve also hit the same beach to party. Rather than share a beach big enough for everyone, each side stakes absolute rights over it, leading to confrontation, violence, and ultimately tragedy for all. The film was developed with support from Northern Ireland Screen.

“We...

Exclusive: Two-time BAFTA nominee Peter Chelsom is making his second feature, the revenge thriller The Beauty of Sharks with Indiana Production in Italy. The news comes as Chelsom’s Italian thriller Security drops on Netflix today.

Written by Rob Green with rewrites by Chelsom and Tinker Linsday, the pic, set in 1958, follows Mrs. Joy Hamilton, a recently widowed American socialite on the brink of ending her life when she sees the chance to avenge a famous millionairess, whose son she raised as her own. Believing the son to be dead, Mrs. Hamilton recruits a handsome gigolo to be the imposter in a dangerous confidence trick. The Beauty of Sharks will shoot in Amalfi in January and casting is underway. Colin Vaines and Lee Brazier will produce.

Chelsom tells Deadline, “It’s very much a ‘modern period film’ – a story that addresses issues of privilege, prejudice and fluidity which, by virtue...

The fate of Owen Hart just might be the most tragic tale in the history of professional wrestling, and the late wrestler's story will be told in a new documentary. Simply called Owen, the project will be shopped by Kaleidoscope Film Distribution at the Cannes virtual market. Jo Lewis will direct the doc, with Owen produced by Keaton Stone and Western Edge Pictures through Vaughan Sivell. Hart's widow, Dr. Martha Hart, will also executive produce alongside Kaleidoscope CEO Spencer Pollard and Lee Brazier.

This news comes hot off the heels of Owen having a portion of his life story explored in the popular Vice TV series Dark Side of the Ring, which highlights some of the darkest stories in wrestling history. The Owen episode served as the season finale for the show's second season, pulling in the highest ratings for the docu-series to date. It was compelling television, but it...

Hart died in an accident in a live televised wrestling stunt.

UK-based sales agency Kaleidoscope Film Distribution has topped up its Cannes virtual market slate with Owen, a new documentary about tragic wrestling star Owen Hart.

The film is currently in production ahead of delivery late in Q1 2021. Kaleidoscope will handle worldwide sales, with initial materials available for viewing during the Marché du Film Online.

Hart was the golden boy of the World Wrestling Foundation in the 1990s, with a promising career as one of the franchise’s biggest names.

However, an accident on May 23, 1999 saw him fall eight stories...

Open casting search underway to fill one further key role.

Ralph Ineson, Brian Vernel and Lorn Macdonald have joined dark family thriller Kill from UK production company Synchronicity Films.

It marks the debut directorial feature of Rodger Griffiths and will be co-produced by Mr B Films. Glasgow-based Synchronicity said it would be its first project to go into production once Covid-19 lockdown measures are lifted.

The story centres on three brothers and their violent father (Ineson), who live in a remote forest. The brothers attempt to kill their father while on a hunting expedition but this begins a deadly game of cat-and-mouse.

Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) returns with his latest film Yesterday starring Himesh Patel releasing in theaters across North America next Friday, June 28. Premiering at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, the acclaimed film is a rock-n-roll comedy about music, dreams, friendship, and the long and winding road that leads to the love of your life.

Check out the exciting trailer for a film we can’t wait to see!

Yesterday, everyone knew The Beatles. Today, only Jack remembers their songs. He’s about to become a very big deal. From Academy Award®-winning director Danny Boyle and Richard Curtis, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually and Notting Hill, comes a rock-n-roll comedy about music, dreams, friendship, and the long and winding road that leads to the love of your life.

Jack Malik is a struggling singer-songwriter in a tiny English seaside town whose...

Danny Boyle's Yesterday hits theaters next month and the studio has released an extended clip to help promote the new musical comedy. Himesh Patel's Jack Malik character is living in a world where he is the only one who knows The Beatles ever existed, which puts him in a unique position. Boyle has created a rock and roll comedy about music, dreams, friendship, and the long and winding road that leads to the love of your life.

In Yesterday, Himesh Patel is Jack Malik, a struggling singer-songwriter whose dreams of fame are rapidly fading, despite the support and devotion of his childhood best friend, Ellie (Lily James). When Jack wakes up after a freak accident to discover that The Beatles have never existed... he finds himself with a very complicated problem. In the new clip, Jack performs the hit song Yesterday, which was written by Paul McCartney in 1965, on an acoustic guitar,...

Yesterday, everyone knew about The Beatles but today, only Jack remembers their songs. Consequently, he’s about to become a very big deal. From Academy Award®-winning director Danny Boyle and Richard Curtis, the Oscar®-nominated screenwriter of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, and Notting Hill, comes a rock-n-roll comedy about music, dreams, friendship, and the long and winding road that eventually leads to the love of your life.

Jack Malik is a struggling singer-songwriter in a tiny English seaside town whose dreams of fame are fading, despite the fierce devotion and support of his childhood best friend, Ellie. But, after an accident involving a bus during a mysterious global blackout, Jack wakes up to discover that the Fab Four never existed.

Performing songs by the greatest band in history to a world that has never heard them, and with a little help from his steel-hearted American agent,...

“Until a month ago, you were a complete failure. And then somehow you became the biggest star in the world. As if by magic. So what happened?” Therein hangs a tale. Here’s the first trailer for Yesterday, director Danny Boyle’s film about what might happen if suddenly nobody remembered the Beatles — except one guy.

Said guy is Jack (Himesh Patel), and he’s about to become a very big deal.

Along with the trailer, Universal Pictures also announced a June 28 release for the rock ‘n’ roll comedy. Here’s the logline: Jack Malik is a struggling singer-songwriter in a tiny English seaside town whose dreams of fame are rapidly fading, despite the fierce devotion and support of his childhood best friend, Ellie (Lily James). Then, after a freak bus accident during a mysterious global blackout, Jack wakes up to discover that the Beatles have never existed — and he...

Universal has officially announced the title to “Slumdog Millionaire” director Danny Boyle’s musical comedy about The Beatles as “Yesterday.

The studio also released a trailer for the new film on Tuesday morning, confirming its release date as the previously announced June 28.

In “Yesterday,” Jack Malik (Himesh Patel from BBC’s “Eastenders”) is a struggling amateur musician in England wakes up after a freak bus accident and mysterious global blackout to discover that The Beatles never existed, no one has ever heard their songs — and John, Paul, George and Ringo are nobodies.

Also Read: Danny Boyle Leaves 'James Bond 25' Over 'Creative Differences'

Even a Google search only reveals the bugs “beetles.” Apparently Coldplay are still really big, though.

Jack then sets out to replenish the world of Beatles songs, with the entire world believing that he wrote them and is now the greatest songwriter who ever lived. He’s...

Yesterday, everyone knew The Beatles. Today, only Jack remembers their songs. From Academy Award-winning director Danny Boyle and Oscar-nominated screenwriter Richard Curtis, Yesterday is a new musical comedy that stars Himesh Patel, Lily James, Kate McKinnon, and Ed Sheeran. Today, we have the first poster and trailer.

Jack is about to become a very big deal. From Danny Boyle and Richard Curtis, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually and Notting Hill, comes a rock-n-roll comedy about music, dreams, friendship, and the long and winding road that leads to the love of your life.

Jack Malik is a struggling singer-songwriter in a tiny English seaside town whose dreams of fame are rapidly fading, despite the fierce devotion and support of his childhood best friend, Ellie. Then, after a freak bus accident during a mysterious global blackout, Jack wakes up to discover that The Beatles have never...

In today’s film news roundup, Danny Boyle’s upcoming comedy has been moved forward, James Wan is producing a horror movie based on the short “Milk” and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” is returning to theaters.

Release Date

Universal Pictures will move its untitled Danny Boyle comedy forward three months from Sept. 13, 2019, to June 28.

Lily James, Himesh Patel and Kate McKinnon star. Boyle, who dropped out of directing the James Bond 25 movie recently, is teaming with screenwriter Richard Curtis, whose credits include “Love Actually” and “Notting Hill.” The story focuses on a struggling musician, played by Patel, and is set in the 1960s and 1970s.

Boyle and Curtis are also producing along with Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, Matt Wilkinson and Bernie Bellew. Nick Angel and Lee Brazier serve as executive producers.

The film will open against Paramount’s Tiffany Haddish comedy “Limited Partners” and Fox’s untitled Ford vs.

Updated: Universal we hear is stoked from what they’ve seen in the early clips from Danny Boyle’s untitled musical comedy and are moving the pic from its Sept. 13, 2019 release to June 28 next year.

Another reason for the Boyle pic move: Focus Features’ Downton Abbey movie which will roll out on Sept. 13 abroad, Sept 20 in U.S. Canada next year.

The pic, scripted by Richard Curtis, has musical elements and we’ve heard from non-studio sources that it’s connected to the Beatles’ music, specifically a guy who wakes up in a world where the Liverpool foursome’s ditties never existed. Universal knows how to handle musicals in the summer: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again made close to $120M domestic and $383.7M Ww last summer. On its new date, the Boyle title will come up against Paramount’s Tiffany Haddish-Rose Byrne comedy Limited Partners and Fox...

Exclusive: The cast for Universal and Working Title’s untitled Danny Boyle-directed, Richard Curtis-scripted comedy keeps expanding with Sophia Di Martino (Channel 4’s Flowers), Joel Fry and Harry Michell (Chubby Funny) joining the already announced Lily James, Himesh Patel, Kate McKinnon and Ana de Armas.

Di Martino plays the role of Carol who is the best friend to Lily James’ character. Storyline is under wraps. This movie has come together quite quickly for a Sept. 13, 2019 release considering there’s been solid talk out there that Boyle is bound for Bond. The 25th 007 title is scheduled for release two months after this romantic comedy on Nov. 8 next year.

Uni Evp of Production Erik Baiers has been overseeing this project. Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner are producing alongside Matt Wilkinson and Bernie Bellew. Curtis and Boyle will also produce.

Exclusive: Ana de Armas has joined Universal/Working Title’s Danny Boyle untitled romantic comedy scripted by Richard Curtis.

The Blade Runner 2049 actress will play the role of Roxanne and joins Lily James, Himesh Patel, Kate McKinnon and Ed Sheeran in the upcoming feature. The plot is still under wraps.

De Armas can be seen this week in Corazon opposite Demian Bechir, a short film directed by John Hillcoat that is making its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film is based on a true patient story, in association with New York’s Montefiore Hospital. The Cuban-born actress can next be seen in the Aug. 17 action-thriller Three Seconds alongside Clive Owen, Rosamund Pike and Joel Kinnaman. In Blade Runner 2049, De Armas played Joi, the digitized companion to Ryan Gosling’s character K. Her other notable turns include Todd Phillips’ War Dogs, the Cannes Film Festival premiere Hands of Stone,...

Lily James, Himesh Patel, Kate McKinnon to star.

Universal Pictures has set a September 13 2019 release date for Danny Boyle’s comedy for Working Title that sets up intriguing proximity to Bond 25.

Boyle has been linked to the next James Bond film, which Eon Productions and MGM have set to open on November 8 2019 through an as-yet-unannounced distributor.

Boyle’s rumoured involvement as director on Bond 25 is still to be confirmed, although if as seems likely he will take the reins, the filmmaker is looking at an extremely busy production schedule over the next 18 months.

Bond star Daniel Craig did...

Universal Studios has set a Sept. 13, 2019, release date for its untitled comedy with director Danny Boyle and Lily James, Himesh Patel and Kate McKinnon.

Boyle will be directing from a script by Richard Curtis. The Irish writer-director said last month that he’s also been working on script for the 25th James Bond movie with plans to shoot the comedy first, followed by the 007 film at the end of the year.

The comedy will be produced by Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner alongside Matt Wilkinson and Bernie Bellew. Curtis and Boyle will also produce, while Nick Angel and Lee Brazier serve as executive producers. Most plot details are being kept under wraps, but it will be music-themed and set in the 1960s or ’70s.

The comedy is the first title to be dated for Sept. 13, 2019. It opens a week after the launch of New Line’s horror...

After cameo roles in Game Of Thrones and Bridget Jones’ Baby, Brit singer Ed Sheeran is in talks to make an appearance in Danny Boyle’s upcoming music-themed comedy movie, we understand. No word yet on whether he will contribute to the movie’s score though the singer has previously expressed interest in doing more of this.

The Working Title pic, backed by Universal, is due to star Cinderella actress Lily James alongside actor Himesh Patel, known for his work in popular Brit TV series Eastenders. Saturday Night Live standout Kate McKinnon is in talks with filming due to take place this summer. Plot details are being kept under wraps.

As we reported last month, pic is written by Love Actually scribe Richard Curtis with Slumdog Millionaire helmer Boyle on board to direct. Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner will produce alongside Matthew James Wilkinson (Double Date) and...

“Saturday Night Live” standout Kate McKinnon is in negotiations to join the cast of Universal and Working Title’s untitled comedy from director Danny Boyle and scribe Richard Curtis, sources tell Variety.

If a deal closes, McKinnon would join Lily James and Himesh Patel, who are set to star with Boyle directing and Curtis writing the script.

Curtis and Boyle will also produce the film. Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner will produce alongside Matt Wilkinson and Bernie Bellew. Nick Angel and Lee Brazier are executive producers.

Most plot details are being kept under wraps, but it will be music-themed and set in the 1960s or ’70s. Details of McKinnon’s character are also currently unknown.

Exec VP of production Erik Baiers will oversee the project for Universal.

Speculation about Boyle’s next project, now that he’s finished the FX limited series “Trust,” had run rampant recently,...

British pair also to produce alongside Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.

Working Title is set to produce an untitled comedy to be directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire) and written by Richard Curtis (Notting Hill, Love, Actually). The project is currently in development at Universal.

There are no plot details as yet about the story, which will be produced by Boyle and Curtis alongside Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, with Matt Wilkinson and Bernie Bellew.

Executive producers are Nick Angel and Lee Brazier, with Exec VP of production Erik Baiers overseeing the project for Universal.

Here’s a hot one. Deadline has learned that Danny Boyle is teaming up with fellow UK stalwart Richard Curtis on a music-themed comedy feature for Universal Pictures and UK powerhouse Working Title.

Currently in development at Universal, the project is being written by Love Actually scribe Curtis with Slumdog Millionaire helmer Boyle on board to direct. Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner will produce the as-yet untitled movie alongside Matthew James Wilkinson (Double Date) and Bernie Bellew ( T2 Trainspotting). Curtis and Boyle will also produce while Nick Angel and Lee Brazier are executive producers. Executive vice president of production Erik Baiers will oversee the project for Universal.

Plot details are being kept under wraps for now but given the players involved and the likely feel-good material this could be a money-spinner. Boyle is currently balancing this project with the James Bond script he is working on with John Hodge,...

Matt Palmer’s Scotland-set thriller stars Jack Lowden [pictured] and Martin McCann.

Germany based sales outfit Beta Cinema has taken all rights to Matt Palmer’s thriller Calibre and will introduce the project to buyers at the Efm.

Set for a shoot in June this year, the film will star 2014 Screen Star of Tomorrow Jack Lowden (71) and Martin McCann (The Survivalist).

The story follows two friends who go on a hunting trip in the Scottish Highlands, during which they accidentally kill a boy, finding themselves trapped by their decision to cover up the crime.

Wellington Film’s Alastair Clark and Anna Griffin are producing, while Lee Brazier and Richard Holmes are exec producers on the project, which has backing from Creative England.

Exclusive: Metrodome inks Us deal on werewolf thriller.

Alchemy has picked up Us rights from Metrodome International to werewolf thriller Howl.

The deal was negotiated by Caroline Couret-Delègue of Metrodome and Samantha Fabin from Alchemy.

The Paul Hyett-directed (The Seasoning House)​ feature, starring Ed Speleers (Downton Abbey), Shauna Macdonald (Ripper Street) and Sean Pertwee (Dog Soldiers), tells the story of a midnight train stranded in a forest and attacked by a terrifying pack of werewolves.

Special makeup effects guru Hyett has worked on titles including The Descent, The Woman in Black and Ironclad.

The film is produced by Ed King and Martin Gentles for Starchild Productions. Script comes from Mark Huckerby and Nick Ostler (Me & My Monsters). Lee Brazier executive produces for Av Pictures.

Metrodome International will screen the film to the international market for the first time in Cannes.

Also on the sales agent’s Cannes slate is supernatural horror Thea, currently in production...

Exclusive: Cast rounds on horror for new UK sales outfit, to shoot this month.

Downton Abbey star Ed Speleers and Shauna Macdonald (Filth) have joined the cast of Paul Hyett’s upcoming horror Howl, which is being shopped in Cannes by fledgling UK sales outfit Metrodome International.

The creature horror, which begins shoot on May 27, tells the story of a midnight train which is attacked by a terrifying pack of werewolves, forcing a shy ticket inspector to unleash his inner beast to lead his passengers to safety and survive the night.

Metrodome has sold the film in Cannes to Shooting Stars for Middle East.

Director Hyett is known for his SFX work on The Woman in Black and The Descent.

Producers are Ed King and Martin Gentles for Starchild Pictures and executive produced by Lee Brazier (Av Pictures). Writers are Mark Huckerby and Nick Ostler.

Rising star Speleers has also locked roles in upcoming Disney sequel Through...

Exclusive: Cast rounds on horror for new UK sales outfit, to shoot this month.

Downton Abbey and Plastic star Ed Speelers [pictured] and Filth star Shauna Macdonald have joined the cast of Paul Hyett’s upcoming horror Howl, which is being shopped in Cannes by fledgling UK sales outfit Metrodome International.

The creature horror, which begins shoot on May 27, tells the story of a midnight train which is attacked by a terrifying pack of werewolves, forcing a shy ticket inspector to unleash his inner beast to lead his passengers to safety and survive the night.

Metrodome has sold the film in Cannes to Shooting Stars for Middle East.

Director Hyett is known for his VFX work on The Woman in Black and The Descent.

Producers are Ed King and Martin Gentles for Starchild Productions and executive produced by Lee Brazier (Av Pictures). Writers are Mark Huckerby and Nick Ostler.

Rising star Speelers has also locked roles in upcoming...

Exclusive: Metrodome International to officially launch at Cannes, with former Av staff

UK distributor Metrodome is to launch a new sales arm, which will incorporate the library and some staff from UK sales outfit Av Pictures, which will cease to actively acquire after an 11-year run in the industry.

Metrodome International will officially launch at Cannes next month, with former Av staff

Caroline Couret-Delègue is joining as head of sales and acquisitions and Jane Carolan will join as distribution manager.

Both will report in to Metrodome Distribution managing director Jezz Vernon who will take up the position of MD at the new agency in addition to his current role.

Av MD Chris Hainsworth and director of acquisitions and production Lee Brazier will manage the partnership on behalf of Av and its producer clients, and will focus on the nascent development slate of Cinescope Entertainment, Av’s sister production company.

Av chairman Angad Paul will retain a stake...

Exclusive: Horror starring Liam Cunningham sells in Europe, Middle East.

Av Pictures has inked a trio of deals on horror Let Us Prey, starring Liam Cunningham.

Alamode/Pierrot Le Fou has acquired rights in German-speaking Europe, Premiere TV Distribution has picked up Benelux rights while Falcon Films will distribute in The Middle East.

Currently in post-production, Let Us Prey charts the fallout when an enigmatic stranger takes over the minds of the detainees in a remote Scottish police station.

Pollyanna McIntosh (Filth) and Douglas Russell (A Lonely Place To Die) star alongside Cunningham.

Eddie Dick (Outcast) produces for Makar Productions with Brendan McCarthy (Last Days on Mars) and John McDonnell (Last Days on Mars) for Fantastic Films with Brian O’Malley directing.

Backers on the project include James Daly of Greenhouse Media; Creative Scotland and The Irish Film Board.

Lee Brazier is overseeing the production for Av Pictures.

Exclusive: UK sales outfit Av Pictures has picked up world rights to Wwi horror script No Man’s Land.

Set in the trenches of the Western Front, No Man’s Land follows English troops who encounter an ancient race of blood-thirsty subterranean creatures.

Former Student Academy Award winner Jen Handorf [pictured] produces for Dark Matter Films with Sean Hogan directing.

VFX expert Dan Martin will create the monsters while Ben Wheatley collaborator Martin Pavey is on board as sound designer.

Principal photography is due to get underway in the UK in March 2014 with Lee Brazier overseeing for Av Pictures. The film is out to cast now.

Exclusive: Brian O’Malley started principal photography on Monday for horror film Let Us Prey.

Av Pictures handles sales and will screen first footage to buyers at the Afm.

The cast is led by Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones), Pollyanna McIntosh and Douglas Russell.

The story is about Satan arriving in a backwater town; Rae Brunton, David Cairns and Fiona Watson wrote the screenplay.

The production is shooting in Ireland and Scotland.

Eddie Dick (Outcast) is producing for Makar Productions with Brendan McCarthy & John McDonnell for Fantastic Films (Last Days on Mars). Backers on the project include James Daly of Greenhouse Media; Creative Scotland and The Irish Film Board.

Lee Brazier is overseeing the production for Av.

Art Director Melanie Light dropped us a line today with the first details of a new project she's working on entitled Scintilla from Av Pictures. Read on to learn more and to see some stills and behind-the-scenes videos of the filming taking place now in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England.

From the Press Release:

Av Pictures and producers Lionel Hicks and Craig Conway have concluded a multi-territory deal with eOne for sci-fi thriller Scintilla. The distributor has acquired the film for France, German-speaking Europe, Scandinavia, and South Africa.

Scintilla follows a disparate group of mercenaries hired to a lead a special unit deep into a former Soviet state to infiltrate and retrieve data from an underground militia base. All is far from what it seems when a top-secret biotech lab and its unearthly creations are discovered.

The film’s ensemble cast stars John Lynch, Morjana Alaoui, Ned Denehey, Beth Winslet,...

A new action thriller is being developed by Av Pictures involving werewolves impinging upon the Roman Empire. The time is 160 Ad and the title of this new picture is, appropriately, titled Galdiators vs. Werewolves: Edge of Empire. The story follows a legionnaire tasked with capturing a mythical clan of beasts on the Empire's outer borders. These monsters are worse than the rumours state and once these werewolves are placed in the arena their bloodlust and ambition for power creates a growing army of lycanthropes. Can Titus reign in their numbers before it is too late? Fans will have to wait until 2012 to find out.

As background, Av Pictures developed the recently released Lesbian Vampire Killers. This is a film sale and production company that has been in its present form since 2003. Expect Av Pictures to release this United Kingdom shot epic with some attention to detail based on their previous works.