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Netflix confirmed this week that they have taken on the global rights to the Canadian sci-fi movie Code 8: Part II. The film will be the streamer's first original Canadian English-language feature acquisition. Robbie Amell and Stephen Amell are reprising their roles from the first film and the movie will once again be directed by Jeff Chan. Chris Pare, Jeff Chan, Sherren Lee,…...

Essentially a humbler, grungier indie “X-Men” without the same dependence on splashy effects, “Code 8” is a solid genre effort from director Jeff Chan. Spun off from his prior short of the same name, the crowdfunded effort is resourceful and polished on a tight budget. Its fast-paced progress has enough appeal to suggest a possible franchise, even if this potential kickoff is held back from becoming something more memorable by the general familiarity of the story and character concepts. Starring cousins Robbie and Stephen Amell (both best known for their respective CW series “The Flash” and “Arrow”), the Canadian sci-fi action film opened Dec. 6 on a single Los Angeles screen, expanding to other U.S. cities as well as streaming on Dec. 13.

In the alternative near-future of fictive Lincoln City, a minority of “power-enabled” persons were once valued members of society. But since automation has more or less replaced any...

Exclusive: Vertical Entertainment has acquired rights to Code 8, the crowd-funded sci-fi thriller spearheaded by cousins Stephen and Robbie Amell, who executive produce and star. Vertical is planning a theatrical release for the film, directed by Jeff Chan, day-and-date near the end of this year.

Code 8, written by Chris Pare, is set in a world where 4% of the population is born with some type of supernatural ability, but instead of being superheroes, they are heavily policed and live in poverty. Connor Reed (Robbie Amell) is a powerful young “electric” struggling to pay for his ailing mother’s medical treatment. To earn money, he joins a lucrative criminal world led by Garrett (Stephen Amell), who teaches him how to use his powers to pull off a series of increasingly dangerous crimes. Sung Kang (Fast & Furious) and Greg Bryk (Ad Astra) also star.

The Amells launched a funding bid on...

The most interesting thing about Stephen and Robbie Amell's Code 8 is how much mystery surrounds the project. These cousins have release a teaser trailer, for the film. The clip shows strange events and a caption "4% of people possess abnormal abilities." Not much later, a duo of robotic police officers are dropped into Lincoln City, to investigate. The film has also been developed by writer Chris Pare (Call of Duty: Operation Kingfish) and director Jeff Chan. The film stars Robbie Amell (The Hunters), Sung Kang and Aaron Abrams. And, the film's teaser trailer is hosted here. From the Colony Pictures website, there is mention of a project, currently in post-production. Developed with Sony Pictures, this project is a feature length film. Though, a synopsis remains just out-of-reach, until March 22nd. On this date, more details will be released on Code 8 and possibly a full length trailer? Release Date: Tba. Director: Jeff Chan.

Stars: Alexia Fast, Lin Shaye, Alan Dale, Joel David Moore, Alexis Knapp, Clarke Peters | Written by Jeff Chan, Chris Pare | Directed by Jeff Chan

Grace (Fast) is a beautiful, naive, virginal college freshman trying to deal with campus culture and her outgoing new roommate. But when a terror takes over her body and unleashes chaos, Grace returns to the cold clutches of her severe grandmother (Shaye). Haunted by the horrific death of her mother and her deeply ingrained destructive urges, Grace must stop the demon inside before it’s too late.

Wow. Could that synopsis be any more generic? In fact everything about the marketing of Grace: The Possession is so generic you’d be forgiven for thinking this is yet another Exorcist knock-off. Or, as the copy on the front of the DVD would have you believe, the latest in the long line of spooky horrors churned out by Blumhouse Productions,...

We return with the latest edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting recent independent horror news sent our way. Today’s feature includes a trailer for The Banshee Chapter, a new episode of Chronicles of the Dead, details on The Crying Dead, and much more:

Heir First Details: “From Richard Powell and Zach Green’s Fatal Pictures, the company that brought you the critically acclaimed, award winning horror shorts Worm and Familiar, comes their new and final short film “Heir”, a touching tale of father and son. Starring the Emmy award winning Bill Oberst Jr. (Abraham Lincoln Vs. Zombies) and Robert Nolan (Sick, Worm, Familiar).

After connecting with a stranger of similar interests online, family man Gordon and his son Paul, embark on an ill-fated road trip in which Gordon aims to indulge in a secret passion. Before the day ends a horrible truth will be uncovered and a harsh lesson will be learned.

Sony Pictures has announced that they've acquired the rights to Grace, another flick in the teen tormented by an ungodly force and we don't mean Justin Bieber and his piss-bucket wiles.

From the Press Release

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (“Spwa”) has acquired Grace, the horror-thriller from Automatik, Oddfellows Entertainment and Colony Pictures. Jeff Chan, who co-wrote the film with Chris Paré, is directing. Grace marks Chan’s full-length feature debut, having previously helmed live action shorts for Activision’s Call Of Duty franchise. Automatik’s Brian Kavanaugh-Jones (Insidious: Chapter 2, Sinister, Insidious) and Oddfellows’ Chris Ferguson are producing.

Seen entirely through the eyes of Grace, an oppressed 18 year old is tormented by the ungodly forces that plague her.

The film, which is currently shooting in Vancouver, stars Alexia Fast (Jack Reacher) as Grace, Alan Dale (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Lin Shaye (Insidious: Chapter 2,...

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions has acquired worldwide rights to the horror-thriller from Automatik, Oddfellows Entertainment and Colony Pictures.

Grace marks the feature directorial debut of Jeff Chan, who co-wrote the film with Chris Paré.

The horror thriller takes place from the point of view of an oppressed 18-year-old tormented by evil forces. Shooting is underway in Vancouver, Canada.

Alexia Fast, Alan Dale, Lin Shaye, Alexis Knapp, Joel David Moore and Clarke Peters star.

Automatik’s Brian Kavanaugh-Jones and Oddfellows’ Chris Ferguson are producing Grace, while Colony Pictures’ Chan and Im Global CEO Stuart Ford serve as executive producers.

Jeff Chan made a name for himself directing the live-action shorts promoting the "Call of Duty" video games and he's currently up in Vancouver filming his directorial debut, the horror-thriller Grace--not to be confused with the eerie film directed by Paul Solet that had people fainting at Sundance when it premiered--and that movie has just been picked up for distribution by Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions.

Co-written by Chan and Chris Pare, the first-person film stars Alexia Fast (Jack Reacher) as the oppressed teen of the title who is plagued by "ungodly forces," and it's produced by Automatik's Brian Kavanaugh-Jones (Insidious, Sinister) , Oddfellows Entertainment's Chris Ferguson and Chan's company Colony Pictures.

The cast is rounded out by Alan Dale, Lin Shaye, Alexis Knapp, Joel David Moore and Clarke Peters.

You can read the full press release with quotes from the key players in the distribution deal after the jump.

Read more.

Jeff Chan made a name for himself directing the live-action shorts promoting the "Call of Duty" video games and he's currently up in Vancouver filming his directorial debut, the horror-thriller Grace --not to be confused with the eerie film directed by Paul Solet that had people fainting at Sundance when it premiered--which has just been picked up for distribution by Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions. Co-written by Chan and Chris Pare, the first-person film stars Alexia Fast ( Jack Reacher ) as the oppressed teen of the title who is plagued by "ungodly forces," and it's produced by Automatik's Brian Kavanaugh-Jones ( Insidious , Sinister ) , Oddfellows Entertainment's Chris Ferguson and Chan's company Colony Pictures. The cast is rounded out by Alan Dale,...