Category: Films

The Weinstein Co. has bought the North America, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand distribution rights to the Japanese supernatural thriller, NIGHTMARE DETECTIVE, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Arclight Films subsidiary Easternlight Films had been handling the rights.

The film, written and directed by Shinya Tsukamoto (TETSUO, THE IRON MAN), follows a female detective, who looks into a pair of suicides where both victims dialed zero on their mobile phones right before their deaths. During the investigation, the detective meets a man who can enter people's dreams.

Sam Raimi is set to produce, and possibly direct, a new version of THE SHADOW for Columbia Pictures, VARIETY reports. Raimi will work with Josh Donen of his Buckaroo Ent. on the project.

Created by Walter B. Gibson, THE SHADOW started life as a pulp novel series in the 1930s, which adapted into the now legendary CBS radio show, which starred Orson Welles. The superhero who can bend the minds of his enemies has since been featured in comics, books, television and multiple film versions, including Universal's 1994 rendition with Alec Baldwin.

In front of investors at the CSFB media conference, Viacom ceo Philippe Dauman confirmed that J.J. Abrams has signed a deal to direct the next big screen STAR TREK adventure for Paramount, reports VARIETY.

"We're revitalizing it in a new and interesting way," Dauman said.

Abrams will also co-write the script with MISSION:IMPOSSIBLE III scribes Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. The story will focus on the early days of James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock, including their first meeting at Starfleet Academy and first outer space mission.

Agadir, Morocco-based C Brothers has started production on ALADDIN, the first Berber-language puppet animated film, reports VARIETY. Newcomer Ebhheim Abdeni will direct.

The film follows a little boy who challenges forest genies to win a book of knowledge. An Arabic-dubbed version will also be made.

C Brothers is owned by a trio of brother Brahim, Hussein and Rachid Chkiri. The company has produced on average 10 direct-to-DVD films a year. These low-budget productions are often edutainment products for the local market.

Clive Barker and Walden Media are partnering to create an original young-adult thriller featuring the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Barker will develop the story and produce. Anthony DiBlasi and Joseph Daley are set to exec produce via Barker's Seraphim Films.

The story will follow a group of teenagers who, when trying to discover what happened during the last two weeks of Edgar Allen Poe's life, accidentally unleash Poe's nightmares on Earth.

Huhu Studio -- through Wise Giant Enterprise Ltd., which it founded in 2005 -- has inked a $25 million production deal on a six-part animation series that centers on the epic stories of the Bible. The six well-known Bible stories will be made into 3D animated features. The deal was made possible through funding from iGlobe Treasury, a fund sponsored by the New Zealand's government's Venture Investment Fund (VIF).

Bollywood's hot young director Karan Johar has announced that he will make an animated feature, reports APUNKACHOICE.

Karan plans to make the animated feature like most popular Bollywood films, including songs and high drama. Suresh Nair will pen the script with production set to start early next year.

"Now, all I want is a good technical team," said Karan.

In a letter to TheOneRing.net website, Peter Jackson announced that New Line will be moving ahead with a film version of THE HOBBIT, as well as another LORD OF THE RINGS prequel, without Jackson's involvement.