Columbia Pictures has hired former music video director David Slade to helm the horror film 30 DAYS OF NIGHT, according to the trades. Ghost House Pictures will be the production firm on the film with Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert producing. Grant Curtis will shepherd the film for Ghost House. Mike Richardson, Joe Drake and Nathan Kahane will serve as exec producers. Shannon Gaulding and Adam Milano will shepherd for Columbia.
Columbia will distribute the film in North America as well as in a few international territories, with Ghost House partner Mandate Pictures tackling the remaining international rights.
Based on the comicbook series written by Steve Niles, illustrated by Ben Templesmith and published by IDW, the story is set in Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost town in the U.S., where the sun does not rise for more than 30 days during the dead of winter. When an evil force takes over the town, husband and wife sheriffs must decide whether they will save themselves or remain to help save the town.
Writer Stuart Beattie wrote an early draft of the film for which the studio is looking for another writer to pen a second draft from.
Slades first feature HARD CANDY was a breakout hit at Sundance and will be distributed by Lions Gate this December.