Republic Pictures, the acquisitions label under Paramount Pictures, has acquired the North American rights to the horror movie “Azrael” from the C2 Motion Picture Group. The film, which stars Samara Weaving and is directed by E.L. Katz, is set to be a high concept action-horror flick. With a strong horror pedigree, thanks to Weaving’s previous roles in “Ready or Not” and “The Babysitter” movie series, as well as Katz’s directing work on “Haunting of Bly Manor” and “Channel Zero,” the movie is generating a lot of buzz.
“Azrael” takes place in a world where no one speaks and focuses on a devout female-led community that hunts down a young woman, played by Weaving, who has escaped her imprisonment. However, she is recaptured by the community’s ruthless leaders and is to be sacrificed to an ancient evil that resides in the surrounding wilderness. Determined to ensure her own freedom and survival, Azrael will stop at nothing to achieve her goal. The film’s creators describe it as a relentless parable of sacrifice and salvation, unfolding in real time.
The rights to “Azrael” were won by Jason Cloth and Dave Caplan’s C2 Motion Picture Group in a competitive bidding situation last fall. The company fully financed and produced the movie. Dan Kagan and Simon Barrett also served as producers on the project. Jason Cloth and Katrin Kissa are the executive producers, adding to the already impressive lineup.
Although no distribution plans have been announced, there is hope for a theatrical release. CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group co-represented domestic sales for the film, while Mossbank is handling international sales. This is the second distribution deal between Republic Pictures and C2 Motion Picture Group, as they previously collaborated on the survival thriller “The End We Start From,” starring Jodie Comer.
C2 Motion Picture Group has established a strong relationship with Paramount, having co-financed four of their films in the past year, including “Babylon,” “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” and “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1.” This collaboration highlights the trust and confidence that Paramount has in C2 Motion Picture Group’s ability to deliver quality films.
Republic Pictures has been making some impressive acquisitions lately. In addition to “Azrael,” they recently acquired the rights to “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial,” the final film directed by William Friedkin, which will debut on Paramount+ and Showtime. Furthermore, “The End We Start From,” their previous collaboration with C2 Motion Picture Group, is set to hit theaters on December 8.
Fans of Samara Weaving and horror movies should be thrilled with the news of “Azrael.” With a talented team of filmmakers and a captivating storyline, this film has the potential to be a standout in the genre. As fans eagerly await further details and a potential theatrical release, it’s clear that “Azrael” is a movie to keep an eye on.
