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Miramax Reportedly for Sale, Which Could Impact ‘Halloween’ and ‘Scream’ Franchises

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Here’s a potentially huge story that’s been flying under the radar. Last week, Variety wrote that Qatar-based beIN Media Group is seeking to sell up to 50% of Miramax in a deal that would value the studio founded in 1979 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein at $650 million; currently, beIN owns the company in its entirety. The story comes straight from a Wall Street Journal report.

This is important for horror fans as Miramax is one of the main rights holders of the Halloween franchise, which occurred after it was exiled from the firm grasp of the Weinstein Company’s Dimension Films three years ago (report). Had this not happened, it’s quite possible that the franchise would still be tied up in the reshuffling of Dimension and Lantern’s acquisition of The Weinstein Company.

Speaking of, Miramax is also tied to the franchise rights of Scream, which also resides at Lantern/Dimension Films. A third season of the TV series has been completed for quite some time but appears to be held up after Netflix terminated an output deal.

We’re not sure there how this potential sale would impact both franchises, but it’s worth noting that this is something to keep our eyes on. If Universal Pictures were to acquire Miramax, it would make it much easier to expedite sequels to Halloween – and a new suitor could have an interesting impact on what happens with Scream.

We reached out to a handful of sources in hopes to get some intel. Until then, we’ll watch for any more information as it comes in.

Thanks to reader Richie Watkins for the heads up on this one.

Horror movie fanatic who co-founded Bloody Disgusting in 2001. Producer on Southbound, V/H/S/2/3/94, SiREN, Under the Bed, and A Horrible Way to Die. Chicago-based. Horror, pizza and basketball connoisseur. Taco Bell daily. Franchise favs: Hellraiser, Child's Play, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, Scream and Friday the 13th. Horror 365 days a year.

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‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’ Adds “Chucky” Actor Teo Briones and More to Lead Cast

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Chucky Actor Teo Briones
Pictured: Teo Briones in "Chucky" Season Two

The Final Destination franchise is returning to life with Final Destination: Bloodlines. With filming now underway, THR reports that three actors have joined the lead cast, including “Chucky” actor Teo Briones.

Brec Bassinger (“Stargirl”) and Kaitlyn Santa Juana (The Friendship Game) join Teo Briones, who played Junior Wheeler in season two of “Chucky,” as the leads in the sixth installment of the horror franchise.

Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein (Freaks) are directing the fresh installment that also includes Richard Harmon (“The 100”, Grave Encounters 2), Anna Lore, Owen Patrick Joyner, Max Lloyd-Jones (The Book Of Boba Fett), Rya Kihlstedt (Obi Wan Kenobi), and Tinpo Lee (The Manor) among the cast.

Production is now underway in Vancouver.

What can we expect from the upcoming Final Destination 6? Speaking with Collider, franchise creator Jeffrey Reddick offered up an intriguing (and mysterious) tease last year.

“This film dives into the film in such a unique way that it attacks it from a different angle so you don’t feel like, ‘Oh, there’s an amazing setup and then there’s gonna be one wrinkle that can potentially save you all that you have to kind of make a moral choice about or do to solve it.’ There’s an expansion of the universe that – I’m being so careful,” Reddick teased.

Reddick continued, “It kind of unearths a whole deep layer to the story that kind of, yes, makes it really, really interesting.”

Final Destination: Bloodlines is written by Lori Evans Taylor (“Wicked Wicked Games”) and Guy Busick (Scream), with Jon Watts (Spider-Man: No Way Home) producing.

Producers on the new movie for New Line Cinema also include Dianne McGunigle (Cop Car) as well as Final Destination producers Craig Perry and Sheila Hanahan Taylor.

This will be the sixth installment in the hit franchise, and the first in over ten years. Each film centers on “Death” hunting down young friends who survive a mass casualty event.

The latest entry is expected in 2025, coinciding with the original film’s 25th anniversary.

 

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