Goldcrest backs Andre Ovredal’s Troll Hunter follow-up

Goldcrest has come on board to fully finance Troll Hunter director Andre Ovredal’s first English-language film, psychological horror The Autopsy of Jane Doe.

Based on an original screenplay by Ian Goldberg and Richard Naing, The Autopsy of Jane Doe is produced by Fred Berger (Taking Chance) and Eric Garcia (Matchstick Men) under their Impostor Pictures banner alongside Rory Aitken and Ben Pugh of 42 (Welcome to the Punch, Monsters: Dark Continent).

Goldcrest’s Nick Quested and Pascal Degove are serving as executive producers.

Goldcrest will handle global sales and distribution and will introduce the film to buyers at the upcoming American Film Market (AFM).

Production will take place in London this winter with casting underway. Goldcrest Post, under managing director Chris Quested, will provide picture and sound post-production services.

Terrifying secrets

Set in a small-town, family-owned mortuary, the film follows father and son coroners who receive a mysterious homicide victim – a beautiful young “Jane Doe.”

As they attempt to figure out how she died and who she is, they discover increasingly bizarre clues, which hold the key to terrifying secrets.

Troll Hunter US remake

Acclaimed 2011 horror Troll Hunter generated significant buzz in press and at the box office, with a US remake set to be produced by Harry Potter director Chris Columbus.

The news marks a significant return to production for former powerhouse Goldcrest, which in recent years has focused on sales and distribution, especially of documentaries.

Goldcrest is now spearheaded by managing director Pascal Degove, former head of international at EuropaCorp.

As previously announced by ScreenDaily, recent staff additions include former Fortissimo executive Courtney Noble who joined as head of acquisitions and development earlier this year.

Scariest script

”The Autopsy of Jane Doe has everything I want in a horror movie – great characters, an intriguing mystery and it is simply the scariest script I have ever read,” said Norwegian director Ovredal.

“I am proud to make this my follow-up to Troll Hunter and I am excited to be in business with Goldcrest, 42 and Impostor as they are extremely supportive and share my vision for the film.”

Degove said: “This is exactly the sort of overtly commercial project I love delivering to distributors and audiences – a perfect storm of exciting creative talent, a great script and a sensible budget.”

“I’m thrilled that The Autopsy of Jane Doe will benefit from Goldcrest’s expertise across the board - our unique combination of sales, finance and post-production is a compelling integrated solution for leading producers,” he continued.

“Ian and Richard have crafted a riveting, chilling, and utterly original horror story,” said producer Eric Garcia.

“To have Andre’s vision and immense talent bring it to life is a dream.”