On the heels of launching its last-planned “Saw” pic, Lionsgate is staking claim to the Halloween 2011 frame with the Sam Raimi-produced horror pic “Dibbuk Box,” set for release Oct. 28.
Lionsgate has released a “Saw” offering around Halloween for the past seven consecutive years, with “Saw 3D” launching last weekend to $24.2 million. The first “Saw” kicked off Oct. 29, 2004, with $18.3 million and cumed $55.2 million domestically.
Based on real events, “Dibbuk Box” is a clear departure from the distrib’s torture porn “Saw” franchise, according to Lionsgate. Pic, from Danish director Ole Bornedal, tells the story of a family who acquire a box containing evil spirits and their quest to destroy it. Raimi and Rob Tapert will produce via their shingle Ghost House Pictures.
“Dibbuk Box” will begin production in the first quarter 2011.
Currently, it stands as the only pic to wide the weekend before Halloween. Warner Bros.’ Steven Soderbergh thriller “Contagion,” with Jude Law, Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet, is set to launch the week before.
