Famous Monsters Of Filmland » Overture Films

2 New TV Spots for The Crazies

Jesse — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:46:54 +0000

Here are two new TV spots for Overture Films’ upcoming remake of George A. Romero’s 1973 horror classic The Crazies.

Directed by Breck Eisner (Sahara), the remake stars Timothy Olyphant and Radha Mitchell as a husband and wife in a small Midwestern town find themselves battling for survival as their friends and family descend into madness. A mysterious toxin in the water supply turns everyone exposed to it into mindless killers and the authorities leave the uninfected to their certain doom.

The Crazies opens February 26.

The Crazies Official Synopsis

dominie — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:43:12 +0000

While press and industry folks gather in Las Vegas for the annual ShoWest convention, among the attendees were Shock Till You Drop, who revealed first official synopsis for The Crazies remake on the net today.

In a terrifying tale of the “American Dream” gone wrong, four friends find themselves trapped in their hometown in The Crazies, a reinvention of the George Romero classic directed by Breck Eisner from a screenplay by Ray Wright (Pulse, Case 39) and Scott Kosar (The Amityville Horror, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre). David Dutton (Timothy Olyphant) is sheriff of Ogden Marsh, a picture-perfect American town with happy, law-abiding citizens. But one night, one of them comes to a school baseball game with a loaded shotgun, ready to kill. Another man burns down his house after locking his wife and young son in a closet inside. Something is infecting the citizens of Ogden Marsh…with insanity. The few still sane find themselves trapped: Sheriff Dutton; his pregnant wife, Judy (Radha Mitchell); Becca, an assistant at the medical center; and Russell, Dutton’s deputy and right-hand man. Forced to band together, an ordinary night becomes a struggle for survival as they try to get out of town alive.

Directed by Breck Eisner and starring Timothy Olyphant, Radha Mitchell, Joe Reegan, Danielle Panabaker, and Joe Anderson, The Crazies is currently filmming in Georgia and scheduled to hit theaters September 25, 2009.

Early Pandorum One Sheet

dominie — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 04:48:59 +0000

At last weekend’s WonderCon, Latino Review discovered a teaser poster for Overture Films’ upcoming sci-fi thriller, Pandorum, directed by Christian Alvart’s.

Starring Ben Foster, Dennis Quaid, Cam Gigandet, Antje Traue and Cung Le, Pandorum is about “Two crewmen [who] awaken from hyper-sleep aboard a spacecraft. None of their equipment is working, and their memories are incomplete. What was their mission? How much time has passed? Where are they? Who are they? As they try to piece things together, they discover they are not alone, and the ship’s new inhabitants – tribal warriors carrying crudely made weapons – are moving among them, intent on killing all aboard. As the space travelers unravel the frightening and deadly secrets the ship harbors, they realize the survival of mankind hinges on their actions. They must regain control of the ship before Pandorum takes over.”

Look for Pandorum in theaters September 4, 2009.

Terror Tidbits

dominie — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:01:46 +0000

According to Production Weekly, Cloverfield director Matt Reeves’ (recently dubbed) Let Me In, a remake of Swedish director Tomas Alfredson’s vampire drama Let The Right One In, begins shooting in May. Overture Films has slated the remake for release on January 15, 2010.

Based on a best selling book from Sweden, the film is about “Oscar, an overlooked and bullied boy, finds love and revenge through Eli, a beautiful but peculiar girl who turns out to be a vampire feasting on his neighbours.”

Speaking of Cloverfield, Comingsoon.net rallied fans of the film together again over the weekend when they revealed there will be a sequel to the box office hit. The site spoke with producer J.J. Abrams of the film at the Wondercon in San Francisco who confirms they’re actually working on a second entry right now. Imagine my surprise because when the movie hit theaters, Abrams and director Matt Reeves rejected the idea of a potential sequel altogether. Read below or see Comingsoon.net for all the details.

“We’re actually working on an idea right now,” Abrams told the packed crowd. “The key obviously at doing any kind of sequel, certainly this film included, is that it better not be a business decision. If you’re going to do something, it should be because you’re really inspired to do it. It doesn’t really have to mean anything, doesn’t mean it will work, but it means we did it because we cared, not because we thought we could get the bucks. We have an idea that we thought was pretty cool that we’re playing with, which means there will be something that’s connected to ‘Cloverfield,’ but I hope it happens sooner than later because the idea is pretty sweet.”

The Crazies – Contest and Casting Update

dominie — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:45:15 +0000

Some very exciting news: We fell a little behind on our updates last week for Overture Films’ The Crazies remake of the George A. Romero’s classic 1973 version, but here’s all the news, compiled into one straight shooter post!

As previously announced Radha Mitchell will topline opposite Timothy Olyphant in the Breck Eisner-directed remake. The latest to join the pair is Joe Reegan (Jeepers Creepers 2). Filming will begin in Georgia and the movie has been slated for release September 25th.

A teaser poster was supplied by Mr. Disgusting (below) along with this special announcement. Click on the links for more detailed information.

Bloody-Disgusting has partnered with Overture Films to give one lucky reader a trip to the set on April 3rd to be an extra in the film!! To learn how, read beyond the break.

The Breck Eisner directed film revolves around the inhabitants of a small Kansas town who are beset by death and insanity after a plane crash lets loose a secret biological weapon into the water supply.

Overture Films and Bloody Disgusting will fly one lucky winner to be an extra in the film THE CRAZIES, all you have to do to enter is become a follower of THE CRAZIES on Twitter. It’s super easy, just click here to start following THECRAZIESFILM on Twitter. Not only will you automatically be entered for a chance to win, but you will also receive updates on the contest, tweets from the set, latest film content and much, much more!!

Also, register here for updates on other cool films like THE CRAZIES only on Bloody-Disgusting.com. Winner will also be announced in a news blast to all 60,000+ B-D readers! Also check out Bloody-Disgusting’s Twitter page.

Winner must be available to travel week of March 31st. Exact travel dates are subject to change. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18 or older. Professional actors, as determined by Sponsor, are not eligible. Sweepstakes starts 12:01 a.m. ET 2/23/09, ends 11:59 p.m. ET 3/9/09. Void where prohibited. Subject to Official Rules (see below). Sponsor: Overture Films, LLC.

OFFICIAL RULES
The Crazies Sweepstakes

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE FIFTY (50) UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Employees (and their immediate families (parent, child, spouse or sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and those living in their same households, whether or not related) of the Overture Films, LLC (“Sponsor”), bloodydisgusting.com, Twitter, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and advertising and promotion agencies are not eligible to enter or win. Professional actors, as determined by Sponsor, are also not eligible. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the judges and/or Sponsor, which are binding and final on matters relating to this sweepstakes. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.

TO ENTER: Between 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time (“ET”) on February 23, 2009 and 11:59 p.m. ET on March 9, 2009 (the “Entry Period”), you will be automatically entered when you sign-up to follow THE CRAZIES on Twitter. You must be a registered member of Twitter. Registration is free. You can opt-out at any time by following the instructions at Twitter. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on March 9, 2009 to be eligible. Please note: You can still follow THE CRAZIES on Twitter after March 9, 2009; however, you will not be entered into the drawing. Limit one (1) entry per username and person and per email address for the duration of the Entry Period. Multiple entries received from any username or person or e-mail address will be void. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means or which subvert the entry process are void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.

DRAWING: Potential winner will be selected in a random drawing held on or about March 10, 2009 from all eligible entries received by an independent judging agency. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Potential winner will be notified on Twitter by “tweet” on or about March 10, 2009 and will have twenty-four (24) hours from time “tweet” was sent to respond or prize will be forfeited and, at Sponsor’s discretion, an alternate winner selected. Potential winner will be required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility, a liability release and, where lawful, a publicity release as well as any other documents which may be required by Sponsor within three (3) days of date of issuance. If such documents are not returned within the specified time period, prize notification is returned as undeliverable, or potential winner is not in compliance with these rules, prize will be forfeited and, at Sponsor’s discretion, an alternate winner selected. If potential winner is an eligible minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, prize may be awarded in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian who will be responsible for fulfilling all requirements imposed on winner set forth herein.

PRIZE: Opportunity for winner to appear as an extra in feature film, The Crazies. Prize includes roundtrip, coach class air transportation from a major U.S. gateway airport nearest winner’s residence to designated location, up to three (3) days and two (2) nights standard hotel accommodations (one room, single occupancy) and ground transportation between airport and hotel and hotel and set. Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): $1,500. Actual value of may vary based on point of departure and destination. Any difference between stated value and actual value will not be awarded. If, for whatever reason, Sponsor is unable to provide winner with the opportunity to appear as an extra, no compensation or substitution will be provided; however, remainder of prize package will be awarded and Sponsor will have no further obligation to winner. Sponsor does not guarantee that winner will appear in the final cut of the film. Winner must comply with all set rules and regulations. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of prize. Trip must be taken on dates specified by Sponsor or prize will be forfeited and Sponsor will have no further obligation to such winner. Exact dates subject to change but travel is tentatively scheduled for the week of March 30, 2009. Sponsor reserves right to change dates. Travel must be made through Sponsor’s agent, on a carrier of Sponsor’s choice. Certain travel restrictions may apply. All federal, state and local taxes and all other costs associated with prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided, including additional ground transportation, luggage fees, meals, souvenirs, gratuities are the sole responsibility of the winner. Winner may not substitute, assign or transfer prize or redeem prize for cash, but Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to substitute prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value. All prize details are at Sponsor’s sole discretion.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: Released Parties (as defined below) are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, inaccurate, stolen, delayed, misdirected, undelivered, garbled or registration or sign-ups; or for lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties, or other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the sweepstakes, the processing of registrations or entries, the announcement of the prize or in any sweepstakes-related materials. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the sweepstakes. Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to participants’ or to any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in this sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the web site. Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the sweepstakes or website or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified and all associated entries will be void. Should any portion of the sweepstakes be, in Sponsor’s sole opinion, compromised by virus, worms, bugs, non-authorized human intervention or other causes which, in the sole opinion of the Sponsor, corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or proper play, or submission of entries, Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the sweepstakes and, if terminated, at its discretion, select the potential winner from all eligible, non-suspect entries received prior to action taken or as otherwise deemed fair and appropriate by Sponsor. Entrants, by participating, agree that Sponsor, www.bloodydisgusting.com, Twitter, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and advertising and promotion agencies and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents (collectively, “Released Parties”) will have no liability whatsoever for, and shall be held harmless by entrants against, any liability, for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind, including death, to persons, or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse or use of the prize (including any travel or activity-related thereto) or participation in this sweepstakes. Winner, by acceptance of prize, except where legally prohibited, grants permission for Sponsor and its designees to use his/her name, address (city and state), photograph, performance, voice and/or other likeness and prize information for advertising, trade and promotional purposes without further compensation, in all media now known or hereafter discovered, worldwide in perpetuity, without notice or review or approval. In the event of a dispute regarding entries received from multiple users having the same e-mail account, the authorized subscriber of the e-mail account at the time of entry will be deemed to be the entrant and must comply with these rules. Authorized account subscriber is the natural person who is assigned the e-mail address by the Internet Service Provider (ISP), on-line service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses.

WINNER’S NAME: For the name of the winner (available after March 25, 2009), send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: The Crazies Sweepstakes, 9242 Beverly Boulevard, Suite 200, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, for receipt no later than April 30, 2009.

SPONSOR: Overture Films, LLC, 9242 Beverly Blvd., Suite 200, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

Casting Breakdown For The Crazies Remake

dominie — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:06:20 +0000

Below you will find the latest casting breakdown (thanks BD) for Overture Films’ remake of the classic George A. Romero film, The Crazies, to be helmed by Breck Eisner based on the screenplay by Scott Kosar and Ray Wright. The film begins shooting on March 1, 2009.

The Crazies follows David Dutton, the sheriff of small town Ogden Marsh, Kansas, [as he] desperately tries to protect his pregnant wife, Judy, after they discover that something in their town is making people become crazed and violent…

Timothy Olyphant has been cast as David. Who will join him?

[VENDOR/KEVIN MILLER] Mid 30′s – early 40′s. The local concessions vendor at the high school baseball games in Ogden Marsh, Kansas, decent, normal, a neighbor/friend of David’s, he meets up with David in a transport vehicle after the military swoops down on the town. Pragmatic and determined, Kevin tries to get everyone on the transport to keep a level head in light of their impossible situation. …4 speeches & 7 lines, 3 scenes (1)

[PRIVATE BILLY BABCOCK] 18 to early 20′s, blue collar, well-mannered and innocent, with a West Virginia drawl, this young soldier is looking for renegade townspeople when he’s conked on the head and disarmed by David, Judy, Russell and Becca. Scared as hell, just wanting to save his life, not really too aware of what’s actually going on, he tells the little group what he knows and, relieved, goes on his way, offering an apology ‘for your folks’ town’…5 speeches & 10 lines, 1 scene (55)

[BILL FARNUM] Mid to late 30′s, likeable, a Native Kansan, married to Deardra and the father of 12 year old Nicholas, Bill seems confused and a bit out of it when he shows up at the high school, unable to unlock his classroom door–and apparently not remembering that he retired five years ago. Bill is the second person in town to succumb to a bizarre madness,…3 lines, 6 scenes (8)

[DEARDRA FARNUM] early to late 30′s, attractive but simple, sympathetic. The wife of Bill Farnum and the mother of their 12 year old son, Nicholas, …13 lines, 4 scenes (11)

[NICHOLAS FARNUM] 7 to 13 years old, the son of Deardra and Bill, he notices his dad’s bizarre behavior and takes refuge in a closet inside their house, pulling his mother inside with him. …5 lines, 3 scenes (11)

[MAYOR HOBBS] Odgen Marsh’s mayor, a flabby, white-bread, cowardly and insecure bureaucrat who’s more interested in his own skin than his civic duty, …6 lines, 2 scenes (24)

Creepy Casting

dominie — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:27:17 +0000

Timothy Olyphant (Deadwood, Damages) will topline in Overture Film’s remake of George A. Romero’s 1973 zombie horror, The Crazies reports Bloody Disgusting.

Directed by Breck Eisner from a screenplay by Scott Kosar and Ray Wright, the story “revolves around people in a small Kansas town who are beset by a virus that causes insanity and death after a mysterious toxin contaminates the local water supply.” Olyphant will play the town’s sheriff.

No start date has been determined, but Overature has set their eyes on a September 25, 2009 release date.

Overture Films Taps Director for Freaks of the Heartland

dominie — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:25:05 +0000

The Hollywood Reporter announced that director David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express) has been tapped to helm Freaks of the Heartland from a screenplay by Peter Sattler and Geoff Davey, based on Steve Niles’ (30 Days of Night) Dark Horse graphic novel of the same name. This will be one of many of Overture Films’ recent titles (The Crazies, Let The Right One In) slated for a remake.

The original graphic novel is a six part feature “about the horrible secret of a rural Middle American town [that] involves Trevor Owen’s attempts to protect his ‘monster’ of a 6year-old younger brother and Gristlewood Valley’s other ‘freaks’ from their parents’ worst instincts.”

Overture Announces 2009 Slate

dominie — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:00:01 +0000

Overture Films has announced three of their horror films slated for next year. There are no official dates as of yet, but here’s what we can expect so far.

Pandorum— from director Christian Alvart (Case 39 and Antibodies), Pandorum is a science fiction thriller that centers on the “story of an astronaut who awakes from his hyper sleep chamber only to discover he’s alone on a massive spaceship. He ventures towards the bridge in search of others and to try and figure out what happened.”

Let The Right One In—director Matt Reeves of Cloverfield will be helming the English-language remake of Tomas Alfredson’s vampire movie of the same name. Based on a best selling book from Sweden, the film is about “Oscar, an overlooked and bullied boy, finds love and revenge through Eli, a beautiful but peculiar girl who turns out to be a vampire feasting on his neighbours.”

The Crazies—is a remake of George A. Romero’s 1973 zombie film. Directed by Breck Eisner, The Crazies “revolves around people in a small Kansas town who are beset by a virus that causes insanity and death after a mysterious toxin contaminates the local water supply.”

Overture Moves Forward on The Crazies Remake

dominie — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:38:15 +0000

In February, it was reported that Brad Anderson removed himself from directing the remake of George A. Romero’s 1973 The Crazies, also to be titled The Crazies. Shortly after, Breck Eisner (Sahara, Flash Gordon, Creature from the Black Lagoon) replaced Anderson in the director’s chair and today Overture Films announced the greenlight for production to begin.

According to Variety, Overature Films will produce and distribute (via their partnership with Anchor Bay) the remake, directed by Breck Eisner from a script penned by Ray Wright and Scott Kosar. Romero will executive produce the film set to begin lensing early next year.

The Crazies remake, which was originally set up by Rogue Pictures and Paramount, seems to be following the original tale when a “military attempts to contain a killer man-made virus that causes death and permanent insanity in those [who are] infected.”