chernobyl-diaries-oren-peli-sliceFor those of you who are unfamiliar with Oren Peli, his three Paranormal Activity films have grossed over half-a-billion dollars and is the creator of ABC’s The River, a horror-thriller set deep in the Amazon rain forest. Back in November, we had word that Peli was developing a new horror feature that was filming in Eastern Europe. Now titled Chernobyl Diaries, the film was recently acquired by Alcon Entertainment. The synopsis is as follows:

An original story by Peli, Chernobyl Diaries is set in the city of Prypiat that once housed the workers of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, the horror-thriller follows a group of friends who, while vacationing in Europe, find themselves stranded in the abandoned city only to discover that they are not alone.

Chernobyl Diaries is expected to release this Memorial Day Weekend. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Check out the press release for details on Chernobyl Diaries:

ALCON ENTERAINMENT ACQUIRES THE RIGHTS

TO OREN PELI’S NEXT HORROR THRILLER

“CHERNOBYL DIARIES”

STUDIO TO RELEASE FILM THIS SPRING

LOS ANGELES FEBRUARY 14, 2012—Alcon Entertainment has acquired North American and international release rights in Germany, Spain and Japan for the next horror thriller from Oren Peli (“Paranormal Activity”), it was announced by Alcon co-founders and co-CEOs Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove.

The film will be released by Warner Bros. via Alcon’s output deal on Memorial Day weekend this year.

Produced by Peli and Brian Witten (“Dark City,” “Final Destination,” “Friday the 13th”) and directed by Brad Parker, “Chernobyl Diaries,” was fully financed and sold internationally by FilmNation Entertainment.  Kosove and Johnson are Executive Producers.

An original story by Peli, “Chernobyl Diaries” is set in the city of Prypiat that once housed the workers of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, the horror-thriller follows a group of friends who, while vacationing in Europe, find themselves stranded in the abandoned city only to discover that they are not alone.

Dave Fierson, Alcon’s SVP of Business Affairs, brought the movie into Alcon. The deal was negotiated by Scott Parish, Alcon’s COO/CFO, Scott Edel of Loeb & Loeb and Nancy Bruington of O’Melveny & Myers on behalf of Alcon and by Alison Cohen, Linda Lichter and Micah Green on behalf of Oren Peli and FilmNation.

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One of Hollywood's most sought after talents, Peli wrote and directed the box office hit "Paranormal Activity," which launched a successful franchise for Paramount having grossed more than $576 million worldwide from three installments to date. He is the creator of "The River," a paranormal jungle adventure for ABC, which premiered to solid numbers last week with a two-part debut.

A veteran visual effects artist, Parker served as the visual effects supervisor on 2010’s critically acclaimed “Let Me In” and makes his directorial debut with this project.

States Kosove and Johnson: “Alcon is thrilled to have acquired this unique, thoughtful and very frightening film. The content is all the more terrifying given that it's based on reality.”

States Glen Basner, CEO of FilmNation Entertainment: "We are thrilled to have found such a terrific home for our first fully financed film. Congratulations to Brad, Oren and Brian who have created an incredible movie that will truly terrify audiences.”

Peli is repped by CAA.  Parker is repped by Paradigm.

Alcon recently announced the start of production on “Beautiful Creatures” directed by Richard LaGravenese starring Emma Thompson, Viola Davis, Jack O’Connell and Alice Englert.

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