Relativity and Blumhouse Productions Partner to Acquire Mike Flanagan’s Oculus from Intrepid Pictures

Relativity and Blumhouse Close on U.S. Distribution Rights at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival

(Beverly Hills, CA) September 18, 2013 – Relativity and Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Productions announced today that the companies have partnered to acquire the horror film Oculus, starring Karen Gillan (Doctor Who, Not Another Happy Ending), Brenton Thwaites (the upcoming Maleficent and The Giver), Rory Cochrane (Argo, Parkland) and Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica, Riddick). The film was screened during the Midnight Madness section of the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.  Relativity plans a wide release and further distribution details including a release date will be announced at a later time.  Oculus was developed and produced by Intrepid Pictures, who co-financed with MICA Entertainment.  The deal was brokered by Paradigm on behalf of Intrepid and Trevor Macy, and negotiated by Glenn D. Feig of Reder & Feig LLP.

Oculus was directed by Mike Flanagan (Absentia, Ghosts of Hamilton Street), and produced by Trevor Macy (Safe House, The Strangers, The Raven) and Marc D. Evans (Safe House, The Strangers, The Raven). Anil Kurian (Sahara, The Raven), D. Scott Lumpkin (Safe Haven) and Peter Schlessel (Drive, Looper) serve as Executive Producers.  Mike Flanagan and Jeff Howard wrote the screenplay, which is based on the short screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Jeff Seidman.

Trevor Macy said: “It’s very gratifying to have all of the work on Oculus validated by the kind of enthusiasm Relativity has shown for the film. We’ve enjoyed working with Relativity in the past and look forward to this unique partnership with Relativity and Blumhouse.”

Tucker Tooley, President of Relativity, commented: “We are thrilled to partner with Blumhouse and look forward to working once again with Trevor and Intrepid Pictures to bring this thrilling story to a wide audience.

Jason Blum added:  “Oculus terrified the Midnight Madness crowd at Toronto and Relativity immediately saw its potential. We are excited to work with Tucker and his team at Relativity, Mike, Trevor and Intrepid on sharing Oculus with genre fans all over the country.”

Ten years ago a horrifying family incident left two young children orphans. Although authorities charged the brother with murder, his sister believed that the true culprit was a haunted antique mirror. Now completely rehabilitated and in his 20s, the brother is ready to move on but his sister is determined to prove that the haunted mirror was responsible for destroying their family.

International sales are being handled by Focus Features International.

Intrepid Pictures is currently working with Flanagan and Howard on Somnia, shooting this fall and starring Katee Sackhoff.  Demarest Films and MICA Entertainment are co-financing.

Flanagan and Howard are repped by APA, Affirmative Entertainment and Nelson Davis Wetzstein, LLP.