Yahoo Lifestyle Adam Scott to Lead Supernatural Horror ‘Hokum’ From ‘Oddity’ Director Damian McCarthy (EXCLUSIVE)
Adam Scott, whose horror credentials include “Little Evil,” “Krampus” and “Piranha 3D” — and go all the way back to 1996’s “Hellraiser: Bloodline” — is returning to the genre.
The “Severance” star will lead the cast of supernatural horror “Hokum,” set to shoot on location in Ireland later this month, Variety can reveal. The film comes from Irish writer/director Damian McCarthy, behind last year’s acclaimed s “Oddity,” which caused a stir after premiering at SXSW, where it won the audience award in the midnighter section.
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“Hokum” will see Scott play a horror novelist who visits a remote Irish inn to spread his parents’ ashes, unaware the place is rumored to be haunted by a witch. Peter Coonan (“Bad Sisters”) and David Wilmot (“Bodkin”) are also set to star.
“Hokum” also marks the latest collaboration between production companies Image Nation and Spooky Pictures following last year’s hit “Late Night With the Devil,” starring David Dastmalchian, and the critically acclaimed thriller “Watcher,” directed by Chloe Okuno and starring Maika Monroe. The project is the fifth in the current Image Nation/Spooky Pictures slate following the announcement of Bryan Edward Hills’ “Archangel” starring Connor Leslie and Randall Okita’s “Menace” starring Isabel May, which was acquired by IFC/Shudder at Cannes last year.
Tailored Films, the Irish banner that co-produced Ali Abbasi’s Cannes-bowing and Oscar-nominated “The Apprentice” and Mubi’s Barry Keoghan-starring “Bring Them Down,” is also on board.
“Hokum” will be produced by Spooky Pictures founders Roy Lee (“Barbarian”) and Steven Schneider (“Strange Darling”), Image Nation’s Derek Dauchy (“Late Night with the Devil”) and Tailored Film’s Ruth Treacy, Julianne Forde and Mairtín de Barra (“The Apprentice”). Ben Ross (“Late Night With the Devil”), Dan Kagan (“Longlegs”), Rami Yasin (“Late Night With the Devil”) and Andrew Childs (“Boy Kills World”) will serve as executive producers. The project is also supported by co-production funding from Screen Ireland/ Fís Éireann.
“Partnering with Steven and Roy has been an incredible journey and it’s been great to see that our collaboration has led to some incredible projects,” said Ross, acting CEO of Image Nation. “With Adam’s talent and charisma and Damian’s unique direction, this is another opportunity for us to push boundaries in the horror genre and continue to make our mark in the international market.”
Added Schneider of Spooky Pictures: “With Damian McCarthy’s fresh and unique approach behind the camera and the amazing Adam Scott bringing his talent to the lead role, ‘Hokum’ is shaping up to be something truly special. It’s always a pleasure working with the team at Image Nation Abu Dhabi — they share our passion for bold, boundary-pushing storytelling. We can’t wait for audiences everywhere to experience what we’ve created together.”
UTA Independent Film Group is handling U.S./North American rights to the film.
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