Any project Samara Weaving is involved with has our attention here at JoBlo and Arrow in the Head, so we’ve been anxiously waiting to hear updates on the action horror film Azrael, in which Weaving plays the title character. A great update has reached us today, as Republic Pictures has acquired the North American distribution rights to Azrael, for release through Paramount Global Distribution, in a high seven figure deal. They haven’t revealed their release plans yet, but it shouldn’t be long before they do.
Directed by E.L. Katz (The Haunting of Bly Manor) from an original screenplay by You’re Next writer Simon Barrett, Azrael has the following synopsis: In a world in which no one speaks, a devout female-led community hunts down a young woman (Weaving) who has escaped her imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, Azrael is to be sacrificed to pacify an ancient evil that resides deep within the surrounding wilderness – yet she will stop at nothing to ensure her own freedom and survival. From the seeds of this gritty, relentless parable of sacrifice and salvation, comes an immersive, real-time, action horror tale.
Weaving’s previous credits include Ready or Not, Mayhem, The Babysitter, Guns Akimbo, Scream VI, and episodes of Ash vs. Evil Dead.
Joker financier Jason Cloth and his C2 Motion Picture Group partner Dave Caplan provided the financing for Azrael. Caplan and Barrett produced the film with Dan Kagan, while Cloth served as executive producer alongside Katrin Kissa.
Michael Rothstein and Sam Hall’s Mossbank are handling the international sales. Rothstein provided the following statement: “From the first minute we read it, we were captivated by the world of Azrael and the potential of a film so relentless and action-packed for its genre – distinguished by its own unique voice, which has so much to say. E.L. Katz and Simon Barrett have delivered something truly visionary, which will undoubtedly connect with a global legion of fans. And we couldn’t think of a more perfect heroine in Samara Weaving, who’s at the peak of her powers right now.“
Does Azrael sound interesting to you, and are you glad to hear that it has secured North American distribution? Let us know by leaving a comment below.