Lionsgate has picked up Tortures of the Damned, the upcoming horror project from Terrifier’s Damian Leone. The studio and filmmakers are keeping the plot secret, but considering Leone is the deranged mind behind Art the Clown, it’s a pretty safe bet that bodies will pile up.
Leone, a master of micro-budget genre films, has an even bigger canvas here. He will write, direct, and produce the project, which will be his next film after the completion of “Terrifier 4,” which is currently in pre-production. Sam Raimi, director of “Send Help” and “Spider-Man,” and Rob Tapert, who produces through their Ghost House label, will serve as producers. Like Leone, Raimi started his career in low-budget horror films like The Evil Dead.
“We are extremely proud and excited to be teaming up with director Damian Leone on his first original film since the beloved ‘Terrifier’ franchise,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president Erin Westerman said in a statement. “I join a huge contingent of horror fans within Lionsgate, and Damian fans, who follow his work and support him. Damian is a true genre writer with a unique vision, and we’re excited to help bring this bold new project to the screen while continuing to build on the incredible connections he has with fans around the world.”
In addition to all of the Terrifire films, Leone wrote and directed The Night of the Treasures. Raimi will direct and produce a remake of the horror classic Magic for Lionsgate.
Scott O’Brien and Pavan Kalidindi are set to direct Lionsgate’s Torture in Hell. Romel Adam and Jose Cañas will direct the Ghost House project and serve as executive producers.
Leone is repped by WME and Zerner Law. Mr. Raimi is represented by CAA and Mr. Hansen, Mr. Jacobson and Mr. Teller. The Hollywood Reporter reported the news of “Hellish Torture.”
