The studio has acquired feature rights to Lois Duncan’s 1974 novel Down A Dark Hall and set Rodrigo Cortés to direct and Twilight saga author Stephenie Meyer to produce.

The dynamic package extends Lionsgate’s relationship with Cortés (pictured) after Buried and features writing by screenwriter Chris Sparling – Cortés’ Buried collaborator and a hot property after his Sea Of Trees script formed the backbone of one of this year’s most sought-after pre-sales titles in Cannes.

Michael Goldbach wrote the original adaptation for the screen after Meyer and her Fickle Fish partner Meghan Hibbett optioned the book last year and brought him on.

Fickle Fish Films will produce with Temple Hill Entertainment’s Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen. 

Down A Dark Hall follows a girl called Kit Gordy as she starts at an elite boarding school where dark powers lurk and her personal detiny hangs in the balance.

Erik Feig and James Myers oversee for Lionsgate and Robert Melnik negotiated the deal on behalf of the studio.

UTA represents Fickle Fish, Temple Hill, Sparling and Goldbach, while Jody Hotchkiss & Associates represents the book.

  • IndiePix Films has acquired all US rights to Dick: The Documentary, a co-production from first-time documentary film-maker Brian Fender and Isotope Films. IndiePix plans an online roll-out in mid-September with an exclusive 90-day general market streaming window, followed by further platform releases in January 2015.

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