XYZ Films has partnered with Demarest Films and A24 on Kevin Smith’s epic new horror film “Tusk,” coming aboard to handle all international sales rights.
Written and directed by Smith, “Tusk” was born out of one of his popular SModcast podcasts and stars Justin Long, Haley Joel Osment, Genesis Rodriguez and Michael Parks.
Demarest (“A Most Wanted Man”) financed and produced “Tusk” in partnership with New York-based distributor A24 (“Spring Breakers”), which is planning a wide release in the third quarter of 2014.
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XYZ will be introducing the currently-in-production project to international buyers at the European Film Market in February.
“Tusk” is a modern-day monster movie that follows a journalist (Long) who finds the story of a lifetime in a worldwide adventurer (Parks) with amazing tales and a curious penchant for walruses.
The film was produced by Sam Englebardt, William D. Johnson, and David Greathouse for Demarest Films and Shannon McIntosh for Smith’s SModcast Pictures banner. Smith’s wife, Jennifer Schwalbach, serves as executive producer.
“It’s an honor to support the work of Kevin Smith, a filmmaker we’ve revered for years. His bold and uncompromising vision for ‘Tusk’ is a game-changer and one that we know will yield a memorable film that will leave audiences breathless,” XYZ Films said in a statement.
“XYZ Films has incredible taste, particularly in the world of horror, so we are thrilled that they will be our partner on this groundbreaking film from Kevin Smith,” added Englebardt.
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XYZ executive produced and handled international sales on the hit action film “The Raid: Redemption.” which was released by Sony Pictures Classics. The company also produced and is handling world sales on Gareth Huw Evans’ “The Raid 2,” as well as the Mo Brothers’ thriller “Killers.”
The company has had a busy week at Sundance, where it is handling international sales on competition title “Life After Beth,” which stars Aubrey Plaza and Dane DeHaan. XYZ also executive produced the horror film “Dead Snow: Red vs. Dead,” which Well Go USA acquired at the festival.