Dimension Films has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Mark Tonderai's horror thriller "Pest" from IM Global and Blumhouse Productions, the companies said Tuesday.
IM Global's genre division Octane will fully finance the film, which will be produced by Blumhouse's Jason Blum ("The Purge") and Sherryl Clark ("Cloverfield") of Busted Shark.
IM Global CEO Stuart Ford will executive produce with Charles Layton and Matt Kaplan.
Blumhouse International, which has a worldwide distribution and servicing deal with IM Global, is overseeing foreign sales.
Tonderai ("The House at the End of the Street") is directing from Barbara Marshall’s original screenplay "Peste," which appeared on the Black List, the Blood List, and the Hit List in 2012.
Story follows a teen whose hometown is invaded by a deadly virus. She documents her family's new life in quarantine and tries to protect her infected sister as society begins to crumble outside.
Abigail Breslin was originally attached to star but she's no longer involved with the project.
"I was captivated by Marshall’s screenplay. There is a complicated family drama amidst a terrifying and tense story of an outbreak that is unleashed. I’m excited to be working with Jason Blum and Stuart Ford again to bring this terrifying thriller to audiences," said Bob Weinstein, co-chairman of the Weinstein Co.
“We’re delighted to continue our long-standing and successful relationship with both Jason and Bob Weinstein. We couldn’t ask for two more savvy and prolific partners on a smart, elevated genre piece such as 'Pest,'” added Ford.
Deal was negotiated for Dimension Films by TWC's David Glasser and Michael Steinberg with Ford, Blum and IM Global's Florence Larsonneur on behalf of the film.
