Filmax greenlights two '[REC]' pics

Plaza helms 'Genesis,' Balaguero nabs 'Apocalypse'

3rd May 2010 - Source: variety.com

MADRID -- Spain's Filmax Entertainment has greenlit production on Paco Plaza's "[REC] Genesis" and Jaume Balaguero's "[REC] Apocalypse", Filmax chairman Julio Fernandez announced Monday.

Filmax Intl. will sell both pics, which conclude one of Europe's most commercially successful modern zombie franchises.

While "[REC]" and "[REC]2" were co-directed by Plaza and Balaguero, the duo are co-developing both new films but then will solo direct.

Skedded for delivery fall 2011, "[REC] Genesis" is being written by Plaza and Luis Berdejo, a seminal figure in Spain's genre pic boom, who co-wrote "[REC]" before making his feature directorial debut directing Kevin Costner starrer "The New Daughter."

"Genesis" will explore the origins of the diabolic zombie mutant viris partially explained in "[REC]2." Balaguero will helm franchise closer "Apocalypse" once he completes his current directorial gig, sociopathic doorman thriller "Sleep Tight" (aka "Flatmate"), also set up at Filmax.

"Apocalypse" should be ready by fall 2012, opening the door as with "Genesis" to a select fest run.

"[REC] and "[REC]2" premiered at the Venice Festival in 2007 and 2009, before establishing their fanboy credentials at Spain's Sitges fest.

Though not as big a hit as the original, "[REC]2" still saw good results in some territories such as Spain, where it hit Euros5.2 million ($6.9 million) and France, where it grossed a first-four week $3.7 million, bucking the trend for horror films to underperform in Gaul.

Double pic production marks an attempt to conclude the franchise with a creative flourish, avoiding the diminishing returns of a "[REC]3" and "[REC]"4."

As ancillary markets seek ever more to morph film releases into film events, the bookend also offers added value in DVD, VOD and TV to distributors already holding rights to "[REC]" and "[REC] 2."

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