What a crappy day for horror. First, The Crow dies and now Slender Man is stuck in the forest.
Variety breaks the news that distribution rights for the upcoming horror movie are on the shopping block because the film’s producers are having heated disagreements about the release strategy with Sony Pictures, the studio that is supposed to debut the film on August 24th. Sony sees the film as a low-budget, Blumhouse-style release, two insiders tell the site, while the producers have more confidence in the movie and are pushing for the picture to unspool across more screens. They also want a bigger marketing push, which will cost more money than Sony is willing to spend.
The producers have triggered a clause in their contract that allows them to solicit higher offers. They’ve shown the film to several studios including Netflix and Amazon, but some companies that have seen the nearly completed picture are skeptical about its commercial potential.
Directed by Sylvain White, Slender Man centers on a tall thin horrifying figure with a featureless face that is responsible for the haunting, stalking and disappearance of countless victims.
“In a small town in Massachusetts, four high school girls perform a ritual in an attempt to debunk the lore of Slender Man. When one of the girls goes mysteriously missing, they begin to suspect that she is, in fact, HIS latest victim.”
The Conjuring and Wish Upon‘s Joey King and Julia Goldani Telles star with Captain Fantastic actress Annalise Basso, Jaz Sinclair (When The Bough Breaks), and Alex Fitzalan.
It is extremely rare for a film to be shopped to other studios so close to its scheduled release, adds the site. Sony has already debuted a trailer for the film, and unveiled posters, and promotional images. Presumably whoever buys the film would have to pay the studio back for any expenses it incurred.
If the producers cannot find another studio, Sony may move forward with its Aug. 24 release date.
