Movies
SXSW Social Media Slasher ‘Dembanger’ Now Titled ‘Initiation’ and Acquired by Saban Films
As reported by Deadline this morning, Saban Films has picked up North American rights to the slasher film Initiation, which had originally been titled Dembanger for its planned premiere at SXSW this year. That premiere, of course, was halted by the ongoing pandemic.
John Berardo directed Initiation, based on a short film he made back in 2013. XYZ Films is introducing the film to international distributors during the Cannes virtual market.
Berardo teases, “Initiation pays homage to the 90s horror classics I grew up on, but with a modern take for today’s socially conscious generation.”
“Described as a slasher pic about a cruel social media game that spins out of control, Initiation sees Whiton University unravel on the night a star-athlete is murdered in the wake of a buried assault allegation, kicking off a spree of social media-linked slayings. As a masked killer targets students across campus, a trio of sorority sisters races to uncover the truth behind the school’s hidden secrets — and the horrifying meaning of an exclamation point – before they become the next victims.”
Lochlyn Munro (The Predator), Isabella Gomez (One Day At A Time), Jon Huertas (This Is Us), Froy Gutierrez (Teen Wolf), Bart Johnson (High School Musical) and Yancy Butler (Kick-Ass) star.
Berardo wrote the script with Brian Frager and Lindsay LaVanchy.
Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day, Freaky) is staying busy here in 2024, directing not only the werewolf movie Big Bad but also an upcoming thriller titled Drop.
The project for Blumhouse and Platinum Dunes is being described as a “fast-paced thriller,” and Deadline reports today that Violett Beane (Truth or Dare) has joined the cast.
Newcomer Jacob Robinson has also signed on to star in the mysterious thriller. Previously announced, Meghann Fahy (“White Lotus”) will be leading the cast.
Landon recently teased on Twitter, “This is my love letter to DePalma.”
Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach wrote the script.
Michael Bay, Jason Blum, Brad Fuller and Cameron Fuller — “who brought the script in to Platinum Dunes” — are producing the upcoming Drop. Sam Lerner is an executive producer.
THR notes, “The film is a Platinum Dunes and Blumhouse production for Universal.”
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