Mark Duplass got his start in very low-budget independent cinema with dramatic films like The Puffy Chair, Cyrus, and Jeff, Who Lives At Home, which he co-wrote and co-directed with his brother Jay Duplass. Recently, Mark teamed up with producer Jason Blum and his Blumhouse Productions—the studio behind the low-budget horror movement that has spawned Paranormal Activity, The Purge, and Sinister franchises—for a different kind of low-budget feature: a psychological horror film called Creep. The film revolves around a man (Patrick Brice) who answers a cryptic online ad asking for a filming service. He arrives at a remote location and begins filming his subject, Josef (Duplass), but as the day goes on, he begins to suspect Josef isn’t really who he says he is.
The pic recently debuted at the SXSW Film Festival to a positive response, and not only has RADiUS-TWC now picked the film up for distribution, but it has also signed on to carry out a trilogy of Creep films. Hit the jump for more on the latest horror franchise.
Presumably based on the strong response at SXSW and the insanely low-budget necessary for a film that takes place in one location and stars two characters, Blumhouse and RADiUS-TWC are already working on two more Creep films before the first movie even hits theaters. RADiUS-TWC, the VOD spinoff label of The Weinstein Company, will release the Patrick Brice-directed first film sometime this year, while the press release notes that Blumhouse and Duplass will go into production on the two sequels.
Further details on Creep 2 and Creep 3 are scarce, but Duplass and Brice co-wrote the first film so one imagines they might resume those duties on the follow-ups. Since I haven't seen Creep I don't know if Duplass would return as star, but based on the logline and image it feels like a horror franchise that might be anchored by his almost-definitely sinister character.
Read the full press release below.
RADiUS-TWC, THE DUPLASS BROTHERS AND BLUMHOUSE PRODUCTIONS JOIN FORCES ON ‘CREEP’ TRILOGY AFTER THE FILM’S FEAR INDUCING
SXSW PREMIERE
DISTRIB TO RELEASE ‘CREEP’ WHILE BLUMHOUSE/DUPLASS GO INTO PRODUCTION ON SECOND AND THIRD INSTALLMENTS
(New York, NY) April 7, 2014 - RADiUS-TWC is proud to announce that it has partnered with the Duplass Brothers and Blumhouse Productions on a CREEP trilogy after the film’s highly praised and fear inducing SXSW premiere. CREEP stars Mark Duplass (SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED) who co-wrote the film with Patrick Brice, making his directorial debut. Produced by Jason Blum (PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, THE PURGE, INSIDIOUS and SINISTER franchises) and Duplass, CREEP is a unique two-man psychological thriller that upends expectations at every turn. RADiUS is also distributing Duplass’ THE ONE I LOVE which the company acquired out of Sundance and plans to release on August 15th.
Synopsis is as follows: “Looking for work, Aaron (Brice) comes across a cryptic online ad: $1,000 for the day. Filming service. Discretion is appreciated.”
Low on cash and full of naiveté he drives to a cabin in a remote mountain town where he meets Josef (Duplass), his cinematic subject for the day. Josef is sincere and the project seems heartfelt, so Aaron begins to film. But as the day goes on, it becomes clear that Josef may not be who he says.
RADiUS, who acquired worldwide rights to the trilogy, is planning to release CREEP later this year.
According to RADiUS co-presidents Tom Quinn and Jason Janego: "We jumped at the opportunity to work with Mark again and Jason’s involvement was icing on the cake. CREEP is wry and unnerving with a shock ending that one has come to expect from Blumhouse. The film played through the roof at SXSW and it was abundantly clear that audiences have a huge appetite for these characters.”
Mark Duplass echoes the sentiment: “I’m a huge fan of the renegade tactics of Blumhouse and RADiUS, and I couldn’t be more psyched to partner with them on this utterly insane new franchise."
Jason Blum goes on to say: “Mark and Patrick made a smart, fresh and terrifying film and we are excited to partner with RADiUS-TWC on sharing it with audiences while we continue to expand the CREEP world.”
Quinn and Janego negotiated the deal with Josh Braun of Submarine.