CBS Films has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to “The Last Exorcism Part II” from StudioCanal, the companies announced on Thursday.

Directed by Ed Gass-Donnelly from a screenplay by Gass-Donnelly and Damien Chazelle, the film is the sequel to the 2010 feature “The Last Exorcism.” 

Eli Roth produced the film along with Marc Abraham, Thomas A. Bliss and Eric Newman of Strike Entertainment. Patty Long and Gabrielle Neimand served as executive producers.

The sequel continues where the first film left off. Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found alone and terrified in the woods.  Back in the relative safety of civilization, Nell realizes that she can't remember what happened in the previous months, and discovers that she is the last surviving member of her family.  Just as Nell begins the process of starting a new life, the force that once possessed her returns with horrific plans that mean her last exorcism was just the beginning.

CBS Films executive vice president of acquisitions and co-productions Scott Shooman negotiated the deal with StudioCanal executive vice president of international distribution, Harold van Lier.  StudioCanal fully financed the film and will handle its release in the U.K., France and Germany.  

"Heading into AFM we knew that the creative team behind ‘The Last Exorcism Part II” had delivered a bigger, scarier sequel.  CBS Films came to the table with a clear vision for the film's release and we feel that we've found the perfect partner to take this franchise to the next level,” said Van Lier. 

CBS Films will release "The Last Exorcism Part II" wide on March 1, 2013.