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Eli Roth/Jason Blum Teaming Up, New Line/IT Remake, DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

Eli Roth and Jason Blum are pushing forward with a new and interesting sounding television Horror project that will be called SOUTH OF HELL. This new series will follow around a demon hunter that lives in Savannah Georgia. Eli Roth himself is already set to take the director's chair for the premiere episode. Check out the details below.

“WE tv today announced that it has greenlit the scripted thriller, “South of Hell,” from Sonar Entertainment and Blumhouse Television. “South of Hell” is a gripping Supernatural thriller set in Savannah, GA and focused on Maria Abascal, a demon hunter whose power stems from within. The premiere episode will be directed by Eli Roth (“Hostel,” “Hemlock Grove,” “The Green Inferno”). WE tv has ordered eight, 60-minute episodes of “South of Hell,” and plans a 2015 premiere.

“As WE tv moves firmly into scripted programming, we are committed to presenting distinctive and engaging stories to today’s savvy TV audience,” said Marc Juris, WE tv’s president. “That is certainly the case with ‘South of Hell,’ a dramatic thriller that introduces viewers to an Unforgettable character, Supernatural themes and the battle between good and evil.”

“‘South of Hell’ is a cornerstone production for Sonar that reflects our overall commitment to the ongoing development of quality series television,” said Sonar Entertainment CEO Gene Stein. “We are thrilled to collaborate with WE tv and the stellar creative team attached to the project to bring this compelling story to life.”

The premiere episode was written by Matt Lambert. James Manos, Jr. (“Dexter,” “The Shield,” “The Sopranos”) is executive producer and showrunner. Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions (“Paranormal Activity,” “Insidious,” “Sinister”) also serves as executive producer, along with Gerard Bocaccio, Stewart Till, Stein, and Roth.

Savannah, Georgia is an elusive city with many faces and the perfect home for Maria Abascal, a stunning, 30-year-old demon-hunter-for-hire. Alongside her brother, David, she is skilled and fearless in her pursuit of the demons that live in others. Like those that she hunts, Maria is divided within herself, struggling with her own demon, Abigail, who resides inside of her, feeding on the evil Maria exorcises from others. Maria and Abigail share a soul and a destiny, but as Maria desperately tries to overtake Abigail, she will discover how far Abigail will go to remain a part of her.

“We can’t wait to work with WE tv to introduce audiences to this series led by an extremely talented creative team including James, Matt and Eli, whose vision we share in delivering thrilling entertainment,” said Jason Blum, CEO and Founder, Blumhouse Productions.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of ‘South of Hell,’” said Roth. “Exorcism and possession stories have always fascinated me, and Matt Lambert has created an incredibly rich, original world in which to tell many stories of good, evil and everyone’s own personal inner demons. I’m also honored to be working with Jim and Jason, both of whom I greatly admire. We want to create something smart and spectacular, and we are excited to be at the forefront of WE tv’s new scripted series initiative.”

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In other news the new adaptation of Stephen King's IT is still rolling ahead strong but it has now relocated from Warner Bros. over to New Line Cinema.

Warner Bros has been working on a new version of IT for many years now, but with the switch over to New Line, it will be nice to see the Horror classic being remade under the New Line umbrella.

The Studios emphasis will be less slashery and will be going for more thrills and chills. The plan is for the first IT film to tell the story of the kids and then the second film will put the focus on the adults.

Synopsis:

"IT follows a group of kids called the Losers Club who defeat a creature called It. Years later, the creature returns and the club, now adults, have to band together again even though they have no memory of the first battle.”

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Within the storyline, it has been over eight years now since we saw the virus in RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES take the world by surprise. At this point the humans are truly struggling to survive as the new world is being taken over by the evolving apes at a rapid pace. We have for you all a new behind the scenes look at the film waiting for you below.

Starring Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Enrique Murciano, Kirk Acevedo, Karin Konoval, and Judy Greer. The film is directed by Matt Reeves.

Synopsis:

"A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species."



DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES has a release date of July 11, 2014.