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Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s international distribution company Telepool is investing in a genre slate from indie producer Eric B. Fleischman, along with Maurice Fadida’s Kodiak Pictures, Variety has learned exclusively.

Fleischman was a Sundance Film Festival breakout star in 2016, when at age 26, he made a strong showing with “Sleight” and “Carnage Park.” His company, Defiant Studios, will receive a cash infusion for several horror-thrillers, beginning with the film “Phobias,” which is currently in production.

The Smiths acquired Telepool in late June, with Marc Forster and his shop Elysian Fields. This marks the first significant investment and U.S. expansion for Telepool, a standalone theatrical and multi-platform distribution entity with a big presence in Europe. Kodiak is a producer on David Ayer’s upcoming “The Tax Collector,” starring Shia Labeouf, as well as Gerard Butler’s “Keepers.”

Defiant’s slate is currently unknown, though “Phobias” is an ambitious...

Want to score a walk-on role in Happy Death Day 2? Omaze has got you covered with a nightmare-induced Happy Death Day experience. Also in today's Horror Highlights: a new trailer for Revenge, Keepers finds a home at Saban Films, and Chilling Tales For Dark Nights audiobook from BabblePress.

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Saban Films has picked up the North American rights to Gerard Butler’s “Keepers,” the distributor announced Thursday.

Kristoffer Nyholm directed the film which also stars Peter Mullan and Connor Swindells. The thriller was produced by Andy Evans, Ade Shannon and Sean Marley for Mad As Birds Films, Butler and Alan Siegel for G-base, and Jason Seagraves and Maurice Fadida.

Written by Joe Bone and Celyn Jones, “Keepers” is inspired by the Flannan Isle mystery where three lighthouse keepers arrive on an uninhabited island for a six-week shift but then discover something life-changing that isn’t theirs to keep. Soon, they have to battle paranoia and isolation to survive.

Also Read: Cannes Confirms 'Don Quixote' for Closing Night, Praises Court Win: 'Cinema Has Regained Its Rights'

“Gerard brings a charm and tact to the grittiness of this action-packed film,” said Saban Films CEO Bill Bromiley. “‘Keepers’ is full of tension, allure, and suspense. We absolutely love it.”

Phil Hunt and Compton Ross are executive producers alongside Brian Oliver of Cross Creek Pictures, Danielle Robinson for G-base and Mickey Gooch and D.G. Guyer of Kodiak Pictures.

Also Read: Kristen Stewart, Chloe Sevigny Crime Drama 'Lizzie' Picked Up by Saban Films

Kodiak Pictures financed the thriller with Head Gear and Creative Scotland, while Bill Bromiley and Jonathan Saba negotiated the deal for Saban Films, with CAA Media Finance negotiating on behalf of the filmmakers.

At the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, Saban Films bought Craig William Macneill’s “Lizzie,” which stars Chloe Sevigny and Kristen Stewart.

Read original story Gerard Butler’s ‘Keepers’ Picked Up by Saban Films At TheWrap...