Universal and Blumhouse Strike Major Deal for Joshua Giuliano’s Slasher Film 'River'

In a significant move within the film industry, Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Atomic Monster are reportedly close to finalizing a lucrative agreement to acquire distribution rights for Joshua Giuliano's slasher film, 'River.' The deal was prompted by the film's successful world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it garnered attention and acclaim.

'River,' which marks Giuliano's feature directorial debut, was initially supported by Independent Film Company and Shudder. Sources suggest that the acquisition price for the film could exceed $10 million, positioning it as one of the largest sales emerging from TIFF this year. This acquisition underscores the high regard in which Giuliano is held by Universal and Blumhouse, who have shown keen interest in his burgeoning career.

A Rising Star in Horror

Giuliano's trajectory is drawing comparisons to that of Curry Barker, another young director who gained fame through TIFF. Blumhouse and Focus Features recently announced they would produce 'Occupant,' co-written by Giuliano, indicating a strong commitment to nurturing his talent. In 'River,' audiences follow three estranged siblings attempting to scatter their father's ashes, only to find themselves stalked by a masked serial killer in a rural setting.

Acclaim and Anticipation

The film, which features a cast including Jane Levy and Jessica Rothe, received positive reviews from IndieWire, which highlighted its potential as a must-see on the big screen. As the first production from Shudder, 'River' has already made a mark, and industry insiders are eager to see if it can replicate the success of Blumhouse's previous hits like 'Obsession' and 'Backrooms.' With Blumhouse’s track record for discovering promising filmmakers, 'River' could very well be the next big sensation in horror cinema.

Source: www.indiewire.com