Universal International nabs Elijah Wood horror-comedy “Cooties”November 9, 2013 - 17:18 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - In boost for Elijah Wood's new horror production company, Universal Pictures International Entertainment has struck a multi-territory deal for distribution rights to Cooties, including for the U.K., Germany and Brazil. The horror-comedy stars Wood opposite Alison Pill and Rainn Wilson, The Hollywood Reporter said. Cary Munion and Jonathan Milott directed Cooties from a script by fright master Leigh Whannell (Saw, Insidious) and Glee co-creator Ian Brennan, who also serve as executive producers. In the film, an unlikely hero (a substitute teacher) must lead a motley band of teachers in the fight of their lives against them when a mysterious virus borne from chicken nuggets hits an isolated elementary school, transforming the pre-adolescent children into a feral swarm of mindless cannibals. Synchronicity Entertainment is handling the film internationally, and struck the deal with Universal International. Synchronicity is a partnership between The Solution Group and Siren Studios. Cooties is one of the first titles from SpectreVision, the production company founded by Wood, Daniel Noah and Josh C. Waller with a focus on horror films. Steven Schneider (Paranormal Activity, Insidious) and Glacier Films' Tove Christensen and Georgy Malkov also produced Cooties, which Paradigm is representing domestically. “Not since Gremlins struck a nerve have little monsters terrorized a town in a wildly entertaining take on the horror genre. UPIE’s enthusiasm for the release in such key international territories as the UK and Germany promises that Cooties has found the perfect home where it can grow globally,” said Ruzanna Kegeyan, president of Synchronicity Entertainment. Synchronicity’s slate at AFM also includes Schneider’s supernatural horror film Mara, starring Olga Kurylenko, the James Mottern thriller God Only Knows and James Roday’s genre-bending horror Gravy with Lily Cole, Gabourey Sidibe and Sarah Silverman. Related links: Top stories Ara Aivazian said Azerbaijan continues the traditions of Turkey after seizing territories and forced Armenians out. The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. Partner news | Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. Armenian government besieged by protesters Protesters led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan poured into Yerevan’s Republic Square to try to surround the seat of Armenia’s government. Armenia, Russia agree on repairing railway destroyed in floods Yerevan and Moscow have agreed to repair a flood-stricken railway in northern Armenia. |