The executives at New Line Cinema were clearly blown away by last year’s horror release Варварин (watch it HERE) – which was distributed by 20th Century Studios – as they have made it very clear over the last week that they are eager to be in business with the creative team behind that film. They made an eight figure deal with writer/director Zach Cregger to ensure that his next movie – something called Оружје – will be a New Line Cinema project. They signed a first look deal with Варварин producers BoulderLight Pictures so they will develop high concept genre properties for the company. And now The Hollywood Reporter has broken the news that New Line Cinema has put a thriller called Компањон on the fast track to production, with Cregger producing alongside BoulderLight and Vertigo’s Roy Lee.
Drew Hancock wrote the screenplay for Компањон, and Cregger was so impressed by it that he considered making the film his directorial follow-up to Варварин. Instead, Hancock will be making his feature directorial debut with Компањон while Cregger focuses on Оружје. All we know about Оружје is that it’s “tonally in the vein of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Магнолија“, but that’s more than what’s being revealed about Компањон. Details on this one are being kept completely under wraps.
Hancock’s previous writing credits include episodes of Supah Ninjas, Blue Mountain State, Fred: The Show, Suburgatory, Faking It, Mr. Pickles, Ми Деад Ек (which he co-created), as well as the movie Fred 3: Camp Fred. While he has never directed a movie before, he has directed episodes of Acceptable TV Јимми Киммел Ливе!, as well as a Tenacious D music video.
Стварно ми се допао Варварин, but I’m still surprised at how deep New Line Cinema is diving into “the Варварин business”. It reminds me of the Stephen King quote, “I have seen the future of horror and his name is Clive Barker.” In this case, New Line Cinema believes the future of horror is the people who brought us Варварин.
What do you think of New Line Cinema joining forces with BoulderLight Pictures and Zach Cregger to bring us Компањон and, presumably, several other genre projects? Share your thoughts on this news by leaving a comment below.
