Our own Chris Bumbray was not a fan of director Roseanne Liang's World War II action horror film SHADOW IN THE CLOUD, giving it a 3/10 review – but Vertical Entertainment and Redbox Entertainment sure seem to like it. According to Deadline, the companies forked over around $5 million to acquire the North American distribution rights to the film. The plan is to give SHADOW IN THE CLOUD a multi-platform release, including theatrical, next summer. Deadline notes that this "might hold the distinction of being the first drive-in theatre movie acquisition ever".
The film stars Chloe Grace Moretz as
a badass female World War II pilot who joins an unsuspecting crew on a bomber. She’s carrying top secret cache on a B-17 Flying Fortress. The crew’s sexist taunts and surprise encounters with enemy fighter planes become the least of her worries as she goes up against an evil presence on board the flight that is tearing the plane apart bolt by bolt.
Nick Robinson, Callan Mulvey, and Beulah Koale co-star.
SHADOW IN THE CLOUD originated as a screenplay written by Max Landis, but don't expect to see his name on the finished film. Liang reportedly did extensive rewrites on the script.
Peter Jarowey, CEO of Vertical Entertainment, and Galen Smith, CEO of Redbox, released the following statement about the distribution deal:
SHADOW IN THE CLOUD is a captivating film with mesmerizing visual effects. Roseanne Liang’s distinct vision and Chloe Grace Moretz’s knock-out performance are guaranteed to bring audiences to the edge of their seats. We’re thrilled to be partnering with the amazing female-led filmmaking team and Endeavor Content to bring this film to North American audiences next year."
Liang added:
I’m over the moon, on cloud nine with a song in my heart and a smile on my face. I couldn’t be more excited to partner with the teams at Vertical Entertainment and Redbox Entertainment to bring our film to North American screens. This project has weathered more than its fair share of challenges, but its success is due to the army of artists and technicians who poured their love and faith into 83 minutes of heart, fun and engaging spectacle. I can’t wait for everyone to experience Flight Officer Garrett’s ascension."
SHADOW IN THE CLOUD was produced by Tom Hern, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Kelly McCormick, and Fred Berger. Terry Dougas, Paris Kassidokostas-Latsis, Jean Luc DeFanti, and Sandra Yee Ling served as executive producers. Hercules Film Fund, Endeavor Content, and the New Zealand Film Commission co-financed the project, an Automatik, Four Knights Film, and Rhea Films co-production.
Bumbray doesn't recommend it, but I'm still intrigued by the concept of SHADOW IN THE CLOUD, so I'm going to have to check it out when Vertical and Redbox release it next year.