The Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnet Releasing, genre arm of Magnolia Pictures announced today that it has acquired US rights to Brad Anderson’s VANISHING ON 7TH STREET. Starring Hayden Christensen, John Leguizamo, Thandie Newton and young R&B sensation Jacob Latimore, Vanishing on 7th Street (review) is a scary, character driven horror film that taps into one of humankind’s most basic and universal anxieties: fear of the dark. The film, which premiered at this year’s Toronto Film Festival, was produced by Norton Herrick, Tove Christensen and Mandalay Vision’s Celine Rattray, and is yet another smart and unconventional genre entry from Anderson (Session 9, The Machinist, Transsiberian), one of the most talented independent filmmakers working today.
When a massive power outage plunges the city of Detroit into total darkness, a disparate group of individuals (Christensen, Leguizamo, Newton) find themselves alone. The entire city’s population has vanished into thin air, leaving behind heaps of empty clothing, abandoned cars and lengthening shadows. Soon the daylight begins to disappear completely, and as the survivors gather in an abandoned tavern, they realize the darkness is out to get them, and only their rapidly diminishing light sources can keep them safe.

“VANISHING ON 7TH STREET is scary as hell, but it’s the richness of its characters and the stellar performances that really make it stand out,” said Magnet SVP Tom Quinn. “Brad Anderson has made an excellent, wholly original ghost film that is a perfect fit for the Magnet slate.”

“We were captivated after reading the script, and are even more electrified by the finished film,” said producer Norton Herrick. “Brad Anderson has done another masterful job. Vanishing is an intelligent thriller with terrifying overtones that will have people talking well after leaving the theater. Herrick Entertainment is pleased to be able to bring it to audiences through Magnolia’s Magnet Releasing.”

“VANISHING ON 7TH STREET is an apocalyptic thriller about the end of the world and it could not be placed in better hands than with Magnet Releasing, whose expertise in distributing genre films is par none,” said director Brad Anderson. “I am excited to be working with them to bring the film to audiences across the country.”

The US deal was negotiated by Magnet SVP Tom Quinn with Cinetic. Magnet will release the film theatrically in February, 2011.