In the first major deal of the Toronto Film Festival, Joshua Giuliano’s slasher film “River” is in talks to be acquired by Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Atomic Monster, Variety has confirmed. Giuliano’s film was originally backed by Independent Film Company and Shudder, but the companies are now closing a deal to sell distribution rights to the debut feature for north of $10 million after its TIFF world premiere.
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The slasher is written and directed by Giuliano and stars Jane Levy (“Evil Dead”), Jessica Rothe (“Happy Death Day”) and Max Mattern (“Devil in Disguise: John Wayne”) as estranged siblings who reunite in their hometown after their father’s death. According to the official synopsis, when they set out to scatter his ashes at a favorite spot on a remote river, their boat breaks down and the trip devolves into a waking nightmare. Dane DiLiegro (“Prey”) also stars.
“River” is produced by Nick Antosca, Alex Hedlund and Steven Schneider and executive produced by Roy Lee, Ben Ross, Matt Brodlie, Jonathan Kier, Jeffrey Tinnell, Robert Tinnell and Jason Blum.
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Sam Zimmerman, who now leads the indies slate at Blumhouse Atomic Monster, had a relationship Giuliano during his time at Shudder.
Last week, Blumhouse Atomic Monster, Divie/Conquer and Spooky Pictures signed on for Giuliano’s next film, “Occupant,” with Focus Features distributing. The filmmaker, who was part of the American Film Institute’s directing program, has won awards for his short films at genre festivals including Fantasia, Fantastic Fest and FrightFest.
Giuliano is repped by CAA, Kaplan Perrone Entertainment and Marios Rush.
News of the deal was first reported by IndieWire.