Skinwalkers Starts Shooting In Toronto

JASON BEHR, ELIAS KOTEAS AND RHONA MITRA TO STAR IN LIONS GATE FILMS’ RELEASE “SKINWALKERS” STARTS PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Contemporary Werewolf Fable With A Twist Begin Shooting September 19th

TORONTO, CANADA, September 22, 2005 -- Producers Don Carmody and Dennis Berardi have announced the beginning of principal photography on the feature film, SKINWALKERS, starring Jason Behr (THE GRUDGE), Elias Koteas (COLLATERAL DAMAGE) and Rhona Mitra (“Boston Legal”, "Nip/Tuck") along with Kim Coates (SILENT HILL, THE ISLAND), Natassia Malthe (ELEKTRA), Sarah Carter (FINAL DESTINATION), Tom Jackson (“North of 60”), Shawn Roberts (LAND OF THE DEAD), Matthew Knight (THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED), and Lyriq Bent (SAW II).

SKINWALKERS marks Lions Gate’s first collaboration with another genre leader, Constantin Film (RESIDENT EVIL, RESIDENT EVIL: Apocalypse, WRONG TURN), which will provide financing for the Skinwalkers DCP Inc. production in association with Red Moon Films Inc. with producers Don Carmody (SILENT HILL, CHICAGO, ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13, RESIDENT EVIL: Apocalypse, WRONG TURN) and Dennis Berardi of Red Moon Films and renowned effects house Mr. X (RESIDENT EVIL: Apocalypse, DAWN OF THE DEAD, Disney’s THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED), and executive producers Robert Kulzer and Brian Gilbert. Lions Gate President of Acquisitions and Coproductions, Peter Block, and Senior Vice President of Acquisitions, Jason Constantine, are overseeing production for Lions Gate Films.

SKINWALKERS is a spellbinding new twist on classic werewolf horror tales. Timothy, a 12-year-old boy, suddenly finds himself at the center of a battle between two warring groups of werewolves. One group of werewolves is sworn to protect him, the other group is trying to kill him – and the young boy’s mother has to find out why her son is at the center of the conflict before time runs out.

Principal photography began September 19 and runs through November 11 in Toronto and surrounding region. SKINWALKERS is slated for wide North American release in 2006. Lions Gate Films Corp. will release in Canada, Lions Gate Films International is currently selling foreign rights in all territories except Germany which will be handled by Constantin Film.

The film will be directed by Jim Isaac, who directed the special effects for NAKED LUNCH, EXISTENZ, ARACHNOPHOBIA, THE FLY and ENEMY MINE and has been involved with creature effects-driven films since STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI and GREMLINS. SKINWALKERS also marks Lions Gate’s first collaboration with legendary “Creature Mogul” Stan Winston, who heads the premier creature visual effects studio in the industry and has created cutting edge, award-winning special effects for TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES, TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY, the JURASSIC PARK franchise, INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE and the big-budget spectacular WAR OF THE WORLDS.

“I’m very pleased and excited to begin principal photography on SKINWALKERS. Jim Isaac and the producers have assembled an incredible cast, the locations and production design are tremendous, and the creatures created by Stan Winston Studios will set a new high mark in the annals of horror filmmaking,” said Carmody.

“We are thrilled to have Jason, Elias and Rhona lead the cast of this film which brings together an all-star genre team,” said Lions Gate International President Nick Meyer and Lions Gate Films Releasing President Tom Ortenberg. “SKINWALKERS targets a movie-going audience we know well, and we are combining a great story with dazzling effects to serve up our first werewolf movie to moviegoers worldwide.”

“I am very excited to have these three dynamic, appealing actors at the top of the cast for SKINWALKERS. They will bring their gifts to a great story with compelling characters, amazing special effects, action and stunning visuals,” said Isaac.

“We are very excited with the coming together of the cast for SKINWALKERS,” said Martin Moszkowicz and Robert Kulzer, Los Angeles co-presidents of Constantin. “The talents of the producers together with Lions Gate’s marketing acumen are sure to produce a unique horror experience of unparalleled thrills.”

The script was written by the writing team of James DeMonaco (ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13, THE NEGOTIATOR), Todd Harthan (“Crossing Jordan”) and James Roday (the feature film THE DUKES OF HAZZARD and THE DRIVER).