Magnet Goes for Ti West’s “The Innkeepers”

Magnet Releasing has acquired U.S. theatrical and VOD rights to Ti West’s haunted house film “The Innkeepers.” The company handled West’s last horror picture, “The House of the Devil.”

“The Innkeepers” stars Sara Paxton, Pat Healy and Kelly McGillis, and takes place in a haunted hotel. The film was inspired by unnerving experiences West and his crew had while making “The House of the Devil.”

Magnet will launch “The Innkeepers” on VOD platforms on December 30, 2011, with a theatrical release set for early February, 2012.

Full release below:

Magnet Releasing takes US Theatrical and VOD Rights to Ti West’s THE INNKEEPERS

New York, NY – September 20, 2011 – The Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnet Releasing, genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, announced today they have acquired US theatrical and VOD rights to Ti West’s THE INNKEEPERS, a ghost film about a haunted hotel that expertly blends humor with truly terrifying scares. Written, directed and edited by West, who previously collaborated with Magnet on the landmark indie horror favorite The House of the Devil, THE INNKEEPERS stars Sara Paxton, Pat Healy, and Kelly McGillis, and was produced by Derek Curl, Peter Phok, West and Larry Fessenden for MPI/Dark Sky Films in partnership with Glass Eye Pix.

Magnet will release THE INNKEEPERS through its Ultra VOD program, launching the film on all digital VOD platforms on December 30th of 2011, with a theatrical release in major markets in early February, 2012. MPI Media Group is releasing the film on DVD.

The Innkeepers is set in the venerable Yankee Pedlar Inn, which is about to shut its doors for good after over a century of service. Believed by many to be one of New England’s “most haunted hotels,” the last remaining employees -Claire (Sara Paxton) and Luke (Pat Healy)- are determined to uncover proof before it shuts down for good. As the Inn’s final days draw near, odd guests check in as the pair of minimum wage “ghost hunters” begin to experience strange and alarming events that may ultimately cause them to be mere footnotes in the hotel’s long unexplained history. The film was inspired by West and his crew’s unnerving experiences at a similar hotel during the shooting of The House of the Devil.

“Ti is a horror auteur extraordinaire, with a style and unique voice in the genre that we truly love,” said Magnolia/Magnet President Eamonn Bowles. “THE INNKEEPERS is a worthy successor to the great House of the Devil, and we couldn’t be more pleased to be taking it out.

Director Ti West adds, “Anyone who knows me knows I have a huge smile on my face to be back working together with Magnolia/Magnet. They are responsible for the most exciting and progressive genre offerings each year, and I couldn’t think of a better home for the film. I am proud to be continuing such a great collaboration.”

The deal was negotiated for Magnet by SVP of Acquisitions Dori Begley and Head of Legal and Business Affairs Chris Matson with Greg Newman, Executive VP of MPI Media Group.