DREAD and Iconic Events Releasing Strike Deal for Theatrical Re-Release of TERRIFIER, Damien Leone’s Basis for the Surprise 2022 Box Office Sensation Sequel, On Over 700 Screens Across the U.S.
DREAD, the L.A.-based distribution and financing company Epic Pictures’ specialty horror label, announced today plans to re-release TERRIFIER, Damien Leone’s 2016 slasher horror — that would lead to the smash box-office hit TERRIFIER 2 — nationwide in theaters with Iconic Events, who handled the explosively successful rollout of the sequel last year. TERRIFIER will return to the big screen on July 19, 2023 and play in over 700 theater locations across the U.S.
Following a string of earlier films that first introduced Leone’s now-iconic villain Art the Clown to audiences, TERRIFIER saw the role first taken by David Howard Thornton, who took up the mantle once again in the film’s breakout sequel, cementing the character’s place in horror canon legacy.
TERRIFIER stars Thornton alongside Jenna Kanell (RENFIELD), Samantha Scaffidi, and Catherine Corcoran (RETURN TO NUKE ‘EM HIGH VOLUME 1), with all four reprising their roles in the sequel. The film takes place on Halloween night as Tara Heyes (Kanell) finds herself as the obsession of a sadistic murderer known as Art the Clown.
After playing genre film festivals around the globe, including London’s FrightFest, IMAGINE Film Festival in Amsterdam, and the Telluride Horror Show Film Festival, TERRIFIER earned praise for its over-the-top gore and passionate resurrection of the beloved slasher flick and was acquired by Epic Pictures for their Dread Central label. The film saw an initial limited theatrical release followed by digital and home video in 2018.
“When Damien Leone and his team brought Terrifier to Dread Central years ago, we knew that the film was something incredibly special and astoundingly terrifying in the best way possible. Now, six years later, with millions of Terrifier fans worldwide, we are excited to once again unleash on the big screen this blood-soaked homage to old-school horror and the insanity of Art the Clown,” said Epic Pictures and DREAD CEO and owner Patrick Ewald.
Added Damien Leone: “I am thrilled to announce that Terrifier is officially getting its long overdue release in nationwide theaters this July! Let’s see if you can stomach Art the Clown’s notorious “hack saw scene” on the big screen! Be sure to bring your barf bags.”
“Every once in a while, a film genre spawns a generational talent who breaks the mold,” said Steve Menkin, President & Co-Founder, Iconic Events. “Damien Leone is such a visionary director. Iconic Events is excited and proud to present the original Terrifier in theatres for fans who have been waiting to see it the way it was meant to be seen in all its “gory” — on the big screen!”
In addition to writing and directing the feature, Leone also edited and did special effects make-up on TERRIFIER. Phil Falcone and George Steuber also produced.
To celebrate the re-release, Dread Central will be hosting an Art the Clown contest and looking for all forms of art that feature the villain. Submissions can be in the form of photos and videos of your TERRIFIER-inspired art, tattoos, and cosplays, and more details on the contest, prizes, and how to apply can be found on the website HERE.
ABOUT EPIC PICTURES
Founded in 2007, Epic Pictures is an independent content studio with the mission of delivering the best-in-class genre entertainment “for fans, by fans.” Epic Pictures produces, finances, and distributes approximately twenty-thirty independent genre films a year. In 2013, the company established Epic Pictures Releasing which is its US focused distribution division. In 2017, Epic Pictures acquired the world’s most popular horror website, Dread Central, and launched its unique horror label, Dread, followed by its AVOD channel, DreadTV. In 2019, Epic Pictures started the horror gaming site, DreadXP, with a focus on editorial, reviews, podcasts, and original streaming content. In 2020, DreadXP began a video game production and publishing division in collaboration with some of the most innovative developers in the independent gaming space.
ABOUT ICONIC EVENTS RELEASING
A fast-growing name in event cinema, Iconic Events Releasing brings live and filmed entertainment of all types to movie theaters as special event and full-length distribution. Programming includes live pay-per-view sports, horror & genre films, faith-based films, anime, concerts and music docs, comedy events, e-sports competitions and award-winning television specials. Iconic Event’s theater network represents the country’s preeminent cinemas offering enhanced guest experiences, high-quality food & beverage service, and reserved seating. More information is available at https://iconicreleasing.com.
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