Shout! Factory and China-based Ace Film HK Company Limited (ACE) have acquired the New Horizons Picture library, encompassing 270 Roger Corman films and an action sci-fi TV series from Roger and Julie Corman, the companies announced Thursday.
Popular Corman properties include “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School,” “Battle Beyond the Stars,” “Piranha,” “Galaxy of Terror,” “Bloodfist,” “Black Scorpion,” “Eat My Dust!,” “Humanoids from the Deep,” “Slumber Party Massacre” and “Forbidden World.”
The deal grants Shout! Factory all rights to the New Horizons library in North America, Europe, Australia, and Russia. ACE secured all rights for China, Asia, Africa and South America.
Shout! Factory and Ace Film plan to support these 270 titles with a long-term growth strategy that entails new content development, remakes, merchandise licensing programs, digital media initiatives, and content syndication (streaming, TV, EST, and VOD) to domestic and international territories.
Future endeavors on the movie/series remake of select film properties will be developed, produced and distributed either by Shout’s filmed entertainment production and distribution arm, Shout! Studios, or ACE and its various strategic partners in Asia.
“We’ve been huge fans of the Cormans. Their great ingenuity and independent spirit have inspired us throughout our careers. We’ve loved working with them over the last eight years and are thrilled to now be the custodians of these beloved films, making sure that film buffs and fans everywhere discover them like we did,” stated Shout! Factory’s founders in a joint statement.
“We have been fortunate to be professionally and personally associated with Roger and Julie for the past decade and the purchase of their film library means our relationships will not only continue, but accelerate,” said Henry Luk, CEO of ACE.
“During the past decade our personal and professional relationships with Shout! Factory’s Bob Emmer, Richard and Garson Foos, and Ace Film’s Henry Luk and Adam Yuchen Ren have shown us that their independent, entrepreneurial spirit, respect for our work and creative methods of distribution and production make them especially well-suited to carry on with the New Horizons film library.” stated Roger and Julie Corman.
The New Horizons Picture library acquisition follows Shout’s home entertainment and digital distribution endeavors for Roger Corman’s Cult Classics branded content since 2010, which demonstrates the company’s unique ability to identify, reinvigorate, and expand the financial potential of entertainment content, and to create additional long-term value for pop culture brands.
The saga of legendary producer-director Roger Corman, recipient of a 2009 Honorary Academy Award, ranks as one of the most amazing motion picture success stories. Having produced more than 350 films and directed 60 others, his influence on American film goes far beyond his own energetic, creative low-budget movies. He is arguably one of Hollywood’s most gifted and masterful filmmakers, having launched the careers of many others.
Noted for his keen ability to spot young talent, Corman’s most lasting legacy will undoubtedly be the legion of producers, directors, writers and actors he has fostered, among them: Jack Nicholson, Francis Ford Coppola, Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Ron Howard, Peter Fonda, Jonathan Demme, Gale Anne Hurd, Diane Ladd, Tommy Lee Jones, Harry Dean Stanton, Sandra Bullock, Bruce Dern, Talia Shire, Charles Bronson, Joe Dante, Peter Bogdanovich and Sally Kirkland.
Julie Corman’s career spans 45 years with New Horizons. As the producer of more than 35 films she has worked with: Jonathan Demme, John Sayles, Catherine Hardwicke, Robert King, Bill Pullman, Martin Sheen, Peter Billingsley, Jon Lovitz, and Mario Van Peebles, among others. She was Chair of the Graduate Film Department at NYU.
The deal was negotiated by Shout’s Bob Emmer and Bruce David Eisen of Media Advisory Services, Inc., for Shout! Factory, Henry Luk for ACE, and Alan Schwartz and Robert Sherman of Greenberg Traurig, LLP on behalf of Roger and Julie Corman.
13 Must-See Horror Movies After 'It,' From 'Green Room' to 'It Follows' (Photos)
"Starry Eyes" (2014)
Written & directed by Kevin Kolsch, Dennis Widmyer
Cool imagery, solid performances, and a harrowing take on how far a person will go to become a star.
Available to rent: Amazon Video, YouTube, iTunes
"Honeymoon" (2014)
Directed by Leigh Janiak
Janiak made a solid directorial debut with "Honeymoon." The whole film rests on the shoulders of the two leads with excellent chemistry who take you through a well-paced story of paranoia and freaky scares.
Available to rent: iTunes, Vudu, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV
"What We Do in the Shadows" (2015)
Written & directed by Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement
This film is a joyride of a horror comedy. This mockumentary stars all of your favorite monsters, and will make you smile with it’s charm.
Available to rent: Amazon Video, iTunes
"Goodnight Mommy" (2015)
Written & directed by Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala
I caught this out of Fantasia 2015, and was blown away. I admittedly shielded my eyes during the more torture-y parts at the end, but I didn’t see the twists, and it’s one of the most visually stunning genre films in recent years.
Available to rent: Amazon Video, YouTube, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play Movies & TV
"The Visit" (2015)
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
Fun story: I was invited by my former boss Steven Schneider (and EP on the film) to a small screening, and he wouldn’t tell me what it was. I walk in and M. Night is there and only a couple of other people. I was so scared, and unfortunately was sitting in the front row so everyone could see me jump. I was over found footage, but I powered through that element because the story is so fun to watch unfold. Signature Shyamalan Twist works like a charm, and with this and "Split" getting great reviews it’s great to have M. Night back.
"Green Room" (2016)
Written & directed by Jeremy Saulnier
As a huge fan of "Blue Ruin," I was equally as impressed with how "Green Room" as a a brutally relentless thriller that is both tense and entertaining.
Available to rent: Amazon Video, YouTube, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play Movies & TV
The Guest (2014)
Directed by Adam Wingard.
I caught this on the big screen at Next Fest in 2014. Maika Monroe and Dan Stevens are captivating to watch. Period. It’s a quick-paced thriller wrapped into a poppy homage to throwback horror films.
"In Order of Disappearance" (2014)
Directed by Hans Petter Moland
I was lucky enough to see this at Fantastic Fest in 2014. It’s an intense Norwegian revenge story set against the beautifully snowy backdrop of Norway in winter. Tonally it reminded me of "Fargo" with added thriller elements and tense scenes.
Available to rent: Amazon Video, YouTube, iTunes
"Afflicted" (2014)
Written & directed by Derek Lee, Clif Prowse
I was pleasantly surprised by this film. Lee and Prowse put a unique spin on the well-tread vampire sub genre by giving the viewer an experience of what it’s like to make the transition into a vampire after you’ve been bitten by one. Shot on a very limited budget, the effects are impressive and mostly practical and they make great use of the docu-style filmmaking.
Available on Amazon Video, iTunes, Vudu
"Hush" (2016)
Directed by Mike Flanagan
Home invasion movie out of SXSW 2016. Reminiscent of "The Strangers" and "Wait Until Dark," it’s a very minimalist movie, and is intense, nonstop and entertaining. It’s low budget, but it doesn’t take away from the quality in this gem.
Available to rent: Netflix
"The Taking of Deborah Logan" (2014)
Directed by Adam Robitel
Jill Larson carries the film well in the title role that requires her to go from happy to sad to positively terrifying in the same scene. I wish it wasn’t found footage because I felt like that was one of the weak elements of it, but if you want to watch a possession film that won’t disappoint give this a look. I’m excited to see what Robitel does with "Insidious 4."
Available to rent: Amazon Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV
"Under the Skin" (2014)
Directed by Jonathan Glazer
This film is gorgeous. It’s eerie. It’s an artsy take on "Species," and will gross you out as much as it will impress you with it’s visuals. It’s a very polarizing film, but the lovely Scarlett Johansson makes it work on so many levels. It’s sure to stick with you after viewing.
Available to rent: Vudu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, iTunes
"It Follows" (2014)
Written and Directed by David Robert Mitchell.
I’m sure you’ve at least heard of this film. A testament to its quality is that it’s one of the few films horror films to get an expanded release after doing high number in its limited run. Spooky soundtrack, 80’s vibes, and a new twist on the slasher sub-genre. Watch this in the dark. There are multiple gasp-worthy scenes.
Available to buy: Amazon Video, Google Play Movies & TV, iTunes
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Kailey Marsh, creator of BloodList.com, gives the scoop on movies to keep you up at night
"Starry Eyes" (2014)
Written & directed by Kevin Kolsch, Dennis Widmyer
Cool imagery, solid performances, and a harrowing take on how far a person will go to become a star.
Available to rent: Amazon Video, YouTube, iTunes