Dark Sky Films is pleased to announce this week marks the first week of principal photography and production on James Felix McKenney’s feature Hypothermia, while also confirming our scoop from last week that Michael Rooker (SLiTHER, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer) will be topling. Beyond the break you’ll find the official release with new info and cast.
HYPOTHERMIA, written and directed by McKenney, stars Michael Rooker, who has had a long career in film that launched with his chilling performance as the titular character in HENRY: THE PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER. HYPOTHERMIA co-stars Blanche Baker who starred in SIXTEEN CANDLES, HBO’s TAKING CHANCE and the horror indie THE GIRL NEXT DOOR. Also in the cast are Greg Finley (THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER), and McKenney regulars Don Wood (THE OFF SEASON, AUTOMATONS, SATAN HATES YOU), Ben Forster and Amy Chang. The film will be produced in partnership with Larry Fessenden’s Glass Eye Pix.

The story takes place in Maine in the dead of winter. Ray Pelletier and his wife Helen have been ice fishing the frozen expanse of Lake Noyade for over two decades but this year something is different: no fish bite. Is it their new neighbors on the ice — Stevie Jr. and his overbearing Dad — with their high-tech gear and over-sized rig that is driving the fish away? Or is it something else? The answer comes in an onslaught of ferocious attacks that unites the two families against a mysterious creature from under the ice.

Producers on the film are 2010 Spirit Award nominee and horror director Larry Fessenden and his partners Peter Phok and Brent Kunkle, along with Dark Sky Films producer Derek Curl (THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL, HATCHET 2). The Co-Producer is Jacob Jaffke (THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL, Bafta nominated short OFF SEASON).

The film is produced in association with Offhollywood Pictures, which brings up-to-the minute technical innovation to the production. HYPOTHERMIA is one of the first feature films to be lensed in 4K on RED ONE digital cinema cameras updated with the new, high-dynamic range Mysterium-X sensor alongside David Fincher ‘s SOCIAL NETWORK and Steven Soderbergh’s KNOCKOUT.

Says Fessenden: “It is very gratifying to have the support of such a cool company as Dark Sky so we can keep making these auteur-driven genre films we call Scareflix. Having Michael Rooker headline the cast in a role like this is especially exciting because it is a different side of Rooker we’ll be exploring. I know the fans will be gratified to spend some real screen time with him in this rugged and sympathetic role.”

The monster has been created by effects veteran Chris Bridges who has lent his talents to such films as DIARY OF THE DEAD, 300, SILENT HILL, SAW III and MAX PAYNE. since his on-set debut on MIMIC. Stunt and movement artist Asa Liebmann will be inside the suit. Gore effects will be handled by Brian Spears (PLAGUETOWN, I SELL THE DEAD, BITTER FEAST, STAKE LAND).