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Japan’s Dean Fujioka and the U.K.’s Callum Woodhouse are set to star in “Orang Ikan,” a WWII-set creature horror film. The picture is scripted by Singapore and Indonesia-based Mike Wiluan who will also direct the picture from next month.

International rights to “Orang Ikan” have been picked up by London-based Sc Films International, which will give the project its sales launch at the Busan festival and accompanying market next month.

Set in the Pacific, 1942, a Japanese ship transports prisoners of war to occupied territories as slave labor. After being torpedoed by allied submarines, a Japanese soldier and a British Pow are stranded on a deserted island, but soon discover they are not alone. They are being hunted by a ferocious mythological creature, the Orang Ikan, a human-fish hybrid. Unable to communicate in each other’s language, the two mortal enemies must come together to survive the unknown.

Exclusive: Cineverse (formerly Cinedigm) has picked up North American rights to the survival drama On Fire, co-directed by and starring Peter Facinelli (The Vanished), which is inspired by the true and harrowing events that transpired during one of Northern California’s most catastrophic wildfires.

The film helmed by Facinelli and Nick Lyon (Bullet), from the latter’s script written with Ron Peer (Goodbye Love), is slated for release in theaters this fall, on the heels of its premiere at at the 2023 Mammoth Film Festival.

Also starring Asher Angel (Shazam! Fury of the Gods), Fiona Dourif (The Blacklist), Golden Globe nominee Lance Henriksen (Aliens), Ashlei Foushee (Ballers) and Glenn Morshower (24), On Fire tells the story of an ordinary man thrown into extraordinary circumstances. Dave Laughlin (Facinelli) has spent his life working to be a great husband, father and son. Living in a remote area of NorCal, he finds his world suddenly...

Exclusive: Peter Facinelli (Nurse Jackie) has been joined in action feature On Fire by Fiona Dourif (Tenet), Asher Angel (Shazam!) and Lance Henriksen (Aliens).

We can unveil a first look at the movie, which is three weeks into shoot in Austin, Texas.

As we revealed last month, the film follows a family who get caught up in the wildfires of Northern California. As the inferno suddenly spreads, survival becomes their main objective.

Nick Lyon directs and co-writes alongside Ron Peer. Producers are Beth Bruce, Rob Witte, Joe Fernandez, Matthew Joynes and Suzanne Weinert. Sc Films is handling world sales and intend to begin talks with buyers when a promo is ready for EFM next year.

Actress Dourif stated: “It’s an important story to tell. Fires are ravaging the west coast, yet I have somehow never seen this film before”.

Asher Angel commented: “I was on the edge of my...

Exclusive: Peter Facinelli has signed on to star in On Fire, a survival drama from director Nick Lyon, Lone Star Storytellers and Media Group LLC.

The film centers on a family man, his pregnant wife and son who live in a trailer home in the woods of Northern California and are suddenly confronted by a wildfire. When it reaches the family’s home, survival becomes the main objective.

Facinelli will play Dave Laughlin, a humble man who is a great husband, father, and son, and must do everything he can to protect his family.

Lyon and Ron Peer wrote the film, which is being produced by Obake Sakka, with Simon Crowe, Suzanne Weinert, Matthew Joynes, and Beth Bruce on board as executive producers.

It’s currently in production in Austin, TX and will be distributed by Sc Films.

Facinelli will next be seen in 13 Minutes, a...

Cornerstone is selling the film which premiered at Rome Film Festival.

At the start of Afm, John Turturro’s Big Lebowski spin-off The Jesus Rolls has been picked up for the UK and Ireland by new UK distributor Blue Finch Film Releasing.

The film, which Turturro wrote, directed and stars in, premiered at Rome Film Festival last month and is being sold by Cornerstone Films. Carla Quarto di Palo, Cornerstone’s director of international sales, negotiated the deal with Blue Finch co-ceo Mike Chapman.

With Turturro reprising his role as Jesus Quintana from the Coen brothers’ comedy The Big Lebowski,...

Film is a contemporary reimagining of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

UK distribution outfit Blue Finch has boarded UK and Ireland distribution on Larry Fessenden’s horror Depraved.

The company is planning a winter release on the title, which recently had its UK premiere at horror festival FrightFest. It has also played festivals including Fantasia and Sydney.

Genre sales outfit Yellow Veil Pictures handles rights and struck the deal with Blue Finch.

Depraved is a contemporary re-imaging of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, centring on a field surgeon (played by David Call) who creates a man out of body parts in a makeshift lab in Brooklyn.

Exclusive: Sundance 2018 title Ophelia has been picked up for UK and Ireland distribution by Blue Finch Film Releasing.

U.S. sales outfit Covert struck the deal on the title, which was released by IFC in North America earlier this year. The UK deal was closed between Jim Harvey on behalf of Covert and Mike Chapman for Blue Finch.

A retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet from Ophelia’s perspective, pic stars Daisy Ridley, Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, George MacKay and Tom Felton.

Claire McCarthy directs from Semi Chellas’ script, based on the novel by Lisa Klein. Producers are Daniel Bobker, Sarah Curtis, Ehren Kruger, and Paul Hanson in association with Freebury Productions Limited. Funding came from Ingenious Media and Bert Marcus Film.

Fledgling outfit Blue Finch plans to release the film later this year with a theatrical component. The distributor’s first theatrical title, Charming, is currently on release. Movies on...

The film premiered at SXSW in March.

Harmony Korine’s comedy The Beach Bum, starring Matthew McConaughey, has secured a UK and Ireland theatrical deal with nascent distributor Blue Finch Film Releasing.

Rocket Science is handling international sales on the film, which premiered at SXSW in March and was then released in North American by Neon where it has grossed $3.5m to date.

Korine’s sixth feature, and his first since 2012 hit Spring Breakers, follows the misadventures of the rogueish Moondog (McConaughey) around the tropics of Cuba and Florida. Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher, Zac Efron, Jonah Hill and Martin Lawrence co-star.

Exclusive: UK distribution outfit Blue Finch Films has boarded UK/Ireland rights to Karen Gillan’s (Avengers: Endgame) directorial debut The Party’s Just Beginning, which she also wrote and stars in.

Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle and Doctor Who actress Gillan plays Liusaidh, a young woman living in Scotland with her parents. After she loses her best friend, she embarks on a journey of of drink, drugs and casual flings, until a stranger comes into her life. The Glasgow and Tribeca 2018 drama also stars Lee Pace, Paul Higgins and Siobhan Redmond.

The film was produced by Claire Mundell of Synchronicity Films, Andru Davies of Mt. Hollywood and Mali Elfman. The deal was struck with Mike Chapman and Russell Webber on behalf of Blue Finch Films and the film is set to be released in Q4 this year.

Gillan commented, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to have Bluefinch distribute my debut film.

UK, Middle East buyers snap up genre slate.

New York-based Film Sales Company president Andrew Herwitz has announced the first deals in Cannes on his slate of films from genre specialists Blumhouse, striking three-film deals in the UK and the Middle East.

Herwitz arrived in Cannes with a trio of titles from prolific producer Jason Blum’s genre stable: thriller Bloodline stars Seann William Scott (pictured) in the story of a high school counsellor who takes his job a little too seriously; Mercy Black centres on a young woman who confronts her gory childhood; and urban horror Thriller tells of...

Blue Finch Films takes UK and Ireland rights to project.

UK sales outfit Sc Films has taken international rights to Canadian horror-thriller Alive.

Rob Grant, whose credits include 2019 Rotterdam premiere Harpoon and 2012 Fantasia title Mon Ami, directs the story of a severely injured man and woman who awake in an abandoned sanitarium to discover that a sadistic caretaker holds the keys to their freedom.

Thomas Cocquerel and Camille Stopps lead the cast, with Angus Macfadyen playing their captor.

Chuck McCue and Jules Vincent wrote the screenplay and produces with Lars Lehmann and Michael Peterson.

Alongside Sc Films boarding sales, fledgling...

Family animation Charming to be Blue Finch’s first theatrical release.

Blue Finch Films - the UK distribution outfit set up by former Kaleidoscope executive Mike Chapman with sales exec Simon Crowe and financier Matthew Joynes in August this year - has picked up its first titles.

Among the deals is a title that will mark the company’s first theatrical release, family animation Charming. Directed and written by Ross Venokur, the film features the voices of Demi Lovato, Sia, Avril Lavigne and John Cleese in the story of three fairy tale princesses who find themselves engaged to the same guy,...

Peter Thompson, Matthew Kreuzer form joint venture.

Peter Thompson, former head of sales at Arrow Films, and Matthew Kreuzer, former sales director at Kaleidoscope, have teamed to launch a new UK distribution label, Lightbulb Film Distribution.

The company will look to pick up independent genre films from around the world, with a broad focus across language and country of origin, and the team are now reviewing potential first acquisitions. It plans to distribute theatrically as well as on digital platforms and broadcasters.

Despite the ongoing challenges in the sector, several new UK distribution banners have opened in 2018, including former Arrow...

Exclusive: International sales vet Simon Crowe, financier Matthew Joynes and former Kaleidoscope executive Michael Chapman are setting up new UK/Ireland distribution company Blue Finch Film Releasing.

The label will look to pick up commercially-oriented and cast-driven movies and is aiming to release up to 20 pics per year, including a select number of theatrical titles.

Officially launching in September, the company is in discussions about first movies on the slate. I understand there are also advanced conversations with at least one other established sales and finance outfit who could join the Blue Finch fold.

Chapman, who recently left UK distributor Kaleidoscope after six years, will serve as COO while Crowe will be acting CEO. The latter will continue to run his sales outfit Sc Films.

Well-liked sales vet Crowe set up Sc Films with financier Joynes in 2008. The company has ploughed a furrow in animation working on movies such as...

Streaming and DVD rental service Quickflix is resisting calls from a small group of Us investors for a general meeting aimed at removing the current board and electing four new directors.

Most of the investors are represented by Guaranty Finance Investors, which owns about 4.6% of the ordinary shares.

Guaranty.s Don Campbell resigned as a Quickflix director in July 2012, telling the company he could not devote sufficient time to his board duties.

In place of the current directors Guaranty wants Gary Dartnall, Matthew Joynes, Malcolm Reeve and Ethan Gilmore elected to the board. None of the nominees lives in Australia or is a shareholder in Quickflix.

.We.re going through a process but if it goes to a general meeting then we have the support of major shareholders,. Quickflix chairman/CEO Stephen Langsford told If.

He noted the Us group.s move comes soon after Quickflix reported its March quarter results,...

Cockneys vs Zombies is a horror, comedy set in East London. Coincidentally, this title will have its world premiere in London at this year's Fright Fest Film Festival. The World Premiere begins August 23rd. A trailer for Cockneys vs Zombies has now been released. In the clip, several bank robbers try to save an "old folk's home," with some stolen loot. A zombie apocalypse puts a jinx in their plans. All sorts of blood and mayhem can be seen in the film's Red Band trailer hosted below. Release Date: August 23rd, 2012 (UK, World Premiere). Director: Matthias Hoene. Writers: James Moran and Lucas Roche. Producers: James Harris, Mark Lane, Mark Birmingham, Simon Crowe, and Matthew Joynes. Cast: Michelle Ryan, Harry Treadaway, Rasmus Hardiker, Georgia King, Honor Blackman, and Alan Ford. The trailer for Cockneys vs Zombies is here (Red...

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Optimum Releasing will be releasing Cockneys vs Zombies in the United Kingdom in 2012 and the film puts much of East London on the run, from the hordes of undead. The first concept poster, in blood reds and midnight blacks, is here and the film will star Rasmus Hardiker (Your Highness), Michelle Ryan ("Jekyll") and Georgia King (Tormented). Prepare to lace up your trainers soon, as "flesh eating zombies," bank robbers and an overrun old folks home vie for your attention. More details, including a set photo, are below.

The synopsis for Cockneys vs Zombies:

"Cockneys vs Zombies is the story of Andy (Harry Treadaway) and Terry (Rasmus Hardiker): two hapless cockney brothers who try to save their grandad's (Alan Ford) care home by robbing a bank. At the same time, a virus sweeps across East London turning all the inhabitants into flesh eating zombies. Faced with hordes of undead zombies,...

Malin Akerman is in talks to play the female lead in Nu Image/Millennium Films' action thriller "Medallion," opposite Nicolas Cage.According to The Hollywood Reporter, Simon West will direct.David Guggenheim, who wrote the upcoming Denzel Washington/Ryan Reynolds action thriller "Safe House," wrote the script. The film focuses on a father (Cage), a former master thief, who has to find his daughter within a few hours after she is kidnapped and locked in the trunk of a New York medallion taxi cab.Akerman will play Cage's former girlfriend and accomplice who helps him rescue his daughter.Matthew Joynes and Jesse Kennedy of Aurelius are producing with McG through his Wonderland Sound and Vision. James Holt is also producing.Shooting begins in New Orleans in mid-March.Akerman's...

Malin Akerman (Watchmen, Couple's Retreat) is set to star opposite Nicolas Cage in Medallion for director Simon West!

Medallion tells the story of “a father – a former master thief – who has only a few hours to find his daughter when she is kidnapped and locked in the trunk of a New York medallion taxi cab.” David Guggenheim wrote the script for the film that is being produced by Matthew Joynes, Jesse Kennedy, McG, and James Holt.

Akerman has yet to have an amazing role even though I liked her in Watchmen. She will play Cage’s ex in this new film. What are your thoughts on this casting news?...

Actress Malin Akerman has signed onto star in the action-thriller Medallion alongside Nicolas Cage for Millenium Films.

The story centers on a former thief (Nicolas Cage) who has only a matter of hours to find his kidnapped daughter, who is locked in the trunk of a New York City taxi cab. Malin Akerman will play the thief's ex-girlfriend, a former bank robber, who helps him find his daughter.

Simon West (The Mechanic) will direct Medallion from a screenplay by David Guggenheim. McG is producing along with James A. Holt, Jesse Kennedy, and Matthew Joynes.

Principal photography will begin next month in New Orleans.

Medallion comes to theaters in 2012 and stars Nicolas Cage, Malin Akerman. The film is directed by Simon West.

Nicolas Cage will star in Millennium Films' action thriller "Medallion." According to The Hollywood Reporter, Simon West will direct.West directed Cage in the 1997 actioner "Con Air."Clive Owen and Jason Statham had been attached to the project at different stages.David Guggenheim, who wrote the upcoming Denzel Washington/Ryan Reynolds action thriller "Safe House," wrote the script. The film focuses on a father, a former master thief, who has to find his daughter within a few hours after she is kidnapped and locked in the trunk of a New York medallion taxi cab.Matthew Joynes and Jesse Kennedy of Aurelius are producing with McG through his Wonderland Sound and Vision. James Holt is also producing.Cage will be seen in Relativity's "Season of the...

Nicolas Cage will star in the action adventure "Medallion" for Millennium Films reports Heat Vision Blog.

The story follows a father who has a few hours to locate his daughter who has been kidnapped and locked in the trunk of an unidentified New York City cab.

David Guggenheim ("Safe House") penned the script, Simon West ("Con Air") will direct and McG, James A. Holt, Jesse Kennedy and Matthew Joynes will produce.

Nicolas Cage will star in the action adventure "Medallion" for Millennium Films reports Heat Vision Blog.

The story follows a father who has a few hours to locate his daughter who has been kidnapped and locked in the trunk of an unidentified New York City cab.

David Guggenheim ("Safe House") penned the script, Simon West ("Con Air") will direct and McG, James A. Holt, Jesse Kennedy and Matthew Joynes will produce.

Still in the production of "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance", Nicolas Cage has already lined up his next project. The Hollywood Reporter (THR) says the 46-year-old actor is on board for the lead role in action movie "Medallion", which will be financed by Millennium Films.

Cage will portray a father, a former master thief, who has only a few hours to find his daughter when she is kidnapped and locked in the trunk of a New York medallion taxi cab. Clive Owen and Jason Statham were linked to the project at one point.

Set to serve behind the lens of the upcoming movie is Simon West, who has previously directed Cage in 1997 "Con Air". Meanwhile, former Us Weekly journalist David Guggenheim, who writes "Safe House" to be starring Denzel Washington, provides the script for "Medallion". Matthew Joynes, Jesse Kennedy and James Holt team up to produce with Avi Lerner, Danny Trevor,...

Clive Owen will star in the action thriller "Medallion" for Parlay Films says Screen Daily.

The story follows a bank robber fresh out of prison who learns that a former accomplice has kidnapped his daughter and stashed her in the trunk of a Manhattan cab.

The robber has six hours to find her, or fork over $50 million in ransom money. David Guggenheim penned the script.

Jesse T Kennedy, McG, James Holt and Matthew Joynes are producing. Filming takes place in New York and Toronto this Fall.

"National Treasure" director Jon Turteltaub will direct a film detailing the roots of the Greenpeace movement. Jerry and Janet Zucker will produce.The story will be set in the late 1970s and early 1980s and told through the eyes of the organization's founding members, Bob Hunter and Rex Weyler. According to Variety, Aurelius Films is financing development of the project, and the company's Matthew Joynes and Jesse Kennedy are also producers. Joynes, has secured the organization's official cooperation, and has also acquired the rights to two books that will form the story: Weyler's "Greenpeace: How a Group of Ecologists, Journalists, and Visionaries Changed the World" and Hunter's "Warriors of the Rainbow: A Chronicle of the Greenpeace Movement."The producers have been in...