Indie
AFM ’09: ‘Mummy’ Producer Comes Onboard ‘Mortis Rex’
Some pretty huge news this evening as US producer Jim Jacks, whose track record includes the Mummy franchise and A Simple Plan, has signed on to produce Hellboy co-writer Peter Briggs supernatural action thriller Mortis Rex, reports Screen Daily. You can get the full skinny on this massive period piece horror film below.
Hellboy co-writer Peter Briggs makes his feature directorial debut on the story of a disgraced Roman soldier who is given the chance to redeem himself when he investigates a spate of brutal murders.
Principal photography is scheduled to begin in spring 2010 in the UK, Italy and Eastern Europe.
Jacks will produce through his Frelaine Productions alongside Stuart Pollok, Matthew Dench and Marisa Kagan. Dominic Ianno played a key role in securing the financing and will serve as executive producer.
Worldwide rights holder Intandem Films is also on board as executive producer and will talk to buyers at AFM. Indeed deals have already concluded with Civic Index in Russia, Falcon in the Middle East, Lusomundo in Portugal, Spentzos in Greece, and Bridge in Benelux.
“I’ve always been interested in Roman history in general and the dark myths surrounding the building of Hadrian’s Wall in particular,” Jacks said. “Mortis Rex’s uniquely original, blood chilling telling of the legend of the Lost Legion with a monster movie twist has the makings of a truly exciting and commercial movie that is sure to spark excitement from global audiences.”
Intandem Films director Andrew Brown said Jack’s involvement was “proof positive” of the project’s global appeal. He added: “Peter Briggs is an exceptional craftsman who has created an amazing, terrifying world based on true fact and we are excited that he will direct a superb hi-end supernatural live-action film that will have worldwide appeal.”
Check out our exclusive concept art below:
First two pieces by Stuart Jennett, the last two by Chao Lin
The Wayans are out to cancel the Cancel Culture with Scary Movie, and the cast assures it will do just that.
“They sort of have an across-the-board style,” Anna Faris tells EW. “It’s always been a part of the Wayans Brothers, their electricity. ‘Can we offend you? Will you still love us? Come on, you still love us, don’t you?'”
Regina Hall concurs, promising the “boundary-pushing” sixth installment in the horror parody franchise will “offend everyone.”
EW has shared a batch of behind-the-scenes images from Scary Movie, which hits theaters June 5 via Paramount.
Faris and Hall are joined by fellow franchise favorites Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Dave Sheridan, Lochlyn Munro, Cheri Oteri, Chris Elliott, and Jon Abrahams in the legacy sequel.
The ensemble includes Damon Wayans Jr., Gregg Wayans, Kim Wayans, Benny Zielke, Cameron Scott Roberts, Heidi Gardner, Olivia Rose Keegan, Ruby Snowber, Savannah Lee Nassif, Sydney Park, Kenan Thompson, and Felissa Rose.
Michael Tiddes (A Haunted House) directs from a script by Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, original Scary Movie director Keenen Ivory Wayans, Craig Wayans (Scary Movie 2), and Rick Alvarez (A Haunted House).
The film will slash through reboots, remakes, requels, prequels, sequels, spin-offs, elevated horror, origin stories, anything with the word legacy in it, and every “final chapter” that absolutely isn’t final.
Scary Movie launched in 2000, followed by Scary Movie 2 in 2001. The Wayans’ involvement ended there, but the series continued with 2003’s Scary Movie 3, 2006’s Scary Movie 4, and 2013’s Scary Movie 5.
Regina Hall & Marlon Wayans on the set of ‘Scary Movie.’ Credit: Paramount Pictures.
Anna Faris on the set of ‘Scary Movie.’ Credit: Paramount Pictures.
Marlon Wayans & Regina Hall on the set of ‘Scary Movie.’ Credit: Paramount Pictures.
Michael Tiddes & Anna Faris on the set of ‘Scary Movie.’ Credit: Paramount Pictures.
Marlon Wayans on the set of ‘Scary Movie.’ Credit: Paramount Pictures.
Regina Hall & Anna Faris on the set of ‘Scary Movie.’ Credit: Paramount Pictures.
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