Film Based on the #1 Best-Selling Novels To Air on IFC tv Summer 2010
NEW YORK, NY – March 31, 2009 – IFC tv announced today it has greenlit its first
original
event telefilm, “Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter,” based on
Hamilton’s
series of best-selling paranormal fantasy novels and produced by Lionsgate and
After Dark
Films. Adapted by Glen Morgan ("X-Files," "Final Destination"), who also serves
as executive
producer, the movie begins production this summer.
There are currently 16 books in the series, with more
than 6 million copies in print worldwide. Seven of the novels have made the
New York Times Bestseller list and the most recent one,
Blood Noir, debuted at #1
on the list on June 15, 2008. The next highly anticipated Anita Blake novel,
SKIN TRADE, hits
shelves June 2, 2009.
Mixing mystery, fantasy, and horror, the film will center on the character of
Anita Blake, a
street-savvy, down-to-earth vampire hunter with a lousy dating life and a
penchant for bringing
dead people back to life. Blake also works as a police consultant investigating
preternatural
crimes. Tough, sexy and independent, Blake battles the supernatural as she
attempts to solve a
variety of paranormal mysteries, come to terms with her own abilities, and
navigate a complex
string of romantic and political relationships which include a master vampire
and an Alpha
werewolf.
“I’m thrilled to be bringing my characters and world to television for the first
time,” stated
Hamilton. “After Dark Films, Lionsgate and IFC all push the boundaries on film.
I push the
boundaries on paper. I can’t wait to see what we can create together.”
“This unique partnership with Lionsgate, After Dark, Laurell and Glen continues
IFC tv's commitment to provide groundbreaking content that you cannot find
anywhere else” said Evan Shapiro, president of IFC tv and Sundance Channel.
"Anita Blake on IFC will offer a fresh and unique take on the genre; the type of
approach that defines our brand."
“‘Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter’ marks the first time in IFC tv’s history that we
have created a fictional feature film for the network. IFC is appealing to its
core base of men ages 18-34 who are looking for vampire content. The popularity
of the network in this demographic indicates that there is a clear demand for
films that delve into provocative topics and nothing is more
classically provocative than vampire lore” said Jennifer Caserta, EVP and
general manager of
IFC tv. “Anita Blake fits perfectly with our successful original programming.”
“Laurell has created a fascinating heroine in Anita Blake and we quickly
recognized the onscreen
potential for this vivid character,” said Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate’s president of
television
programming and production. “We have an outstanding creative team and are
excited to be
moving forward with IFC, which will allow us to fully explore the complex world
of Laurell’s
highly intriguing and erotically charged novels.”
“We are excited to have acquired this successful property, and to have partnered
with IFC and Lionsgate. We look forward to bringing “Anita Blake” to the small
screen,” stated After Dark Films’ Courtney Solomon. “I am confident that
television viewers will be captivated by Laurell K. Hamilton’s spellbinding
stories, much as readers have devoured the popular
novel series.”
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