Damien Leone is shifting to the Hollywood studio system for his subsequent authentic horror challenge.
Leone, who bootstrapped himself into the highest echelons of horror due to the Terrifier franchise, has closed a deal to put in writing, direct and produce Tortures of the Damned at Lionsgate. Plot particulars are unknown, however sources say it’s completely different in tone from Terrifier and can sport a heftier price range than the low-budget Terrifier franchise. He’ll flip his consideration to the challenge after finishing work on the fourth Terrifier film, which is in pre-production.
Horror maestro Sam Raimi will produce with Rob Tapert by way of their Ghost Home.
Leone got here from micro-budget obscurity to create the ultra-profitable, ultra-violent Terrifier films. The franchise launched in 2016, however Terrifier 2 in 2022 grew to become a life-changing film for the director. Made for simply $250,000, it earned $15.7 million globally and turned antagonist Artwork the Clown right into a Halloween costume icon. He was a one-man present, serving as author, director, co-producer, editor and sound designer on that film, in addition to engaged on the VFX.
The third installment beefed up its price range to $2 million and introduced in $89.1 million globally.
Scott O’Brien and Pavan Kalidindi will oversee Leone’s Tortures of the Damned for Lionsgate, with Romel Adam and Jose Cañas overseeing for Ghost Home and government produce. Dan Freedman negotiated the offers on behalf of Lionsgate.
“We’re incredibly proud and excited to be partnering with Damien Leone on his first original film after the beloved Terrifier series. I join the huge contingency of horror fans — and Damien fans — inside Lionsgate who have been following his work and cheering him on,” stated Erin Westerman, president, Lionsgate Movement Image Group. “Damien is a true genre auteur with a singular vision, and we’re thrilled to help bring this bold new project to the screen while continuing to build on the incredible connection he has with fans around the world.”
In 2024, Leone spoke of the added pressures that got here with a much bigger price range and larger highlight on Terrifier 3, which provides perception into his serious about taking up greater initiatives.
“In some regards, it was easier, but [Terrifier 3] was also the most stressful and intense film I’ve ever worked on. More money, more problems is real,” Leone told The Hollywood Reporter. “The two other films were very homemade. We made them at our own pace. We didn’t have anybody breathing down our neck, saying, ‘The movie needs to come out by this date.’ And I’m not saying this as a negative critique. This is just the nature of the beast.”
Leone is repped by WME and Zerner Legislation.
Raimi, who was final in theaters as a director with Ship Assist, is already within the Lionsgate enterprise, set to direct a Magic remake for the studio. He’s repped by CAA and Hansen Jacobson.
