If you haven't heard yet, one of the best things to happen to independent horror in a long time is a film called Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon.  Originally premiering at the SXSW festival in early 2006 - it started a buzz with its fantasy/reality take on a world where Jason, Michael, and Freddy actually existed.  A documentary crew follows along with Leslie Vernon - a psycho killer on the verge of a killing spree - as he shows us all the ins and outs of how much preparation is invloved with setting up a night of victims.  Its an absolute gift to the slasher fan from credits to credits.

While most great independent films go by the wayside and direct to DVD - good news has finally come our way.  Anchor Bay Entertainment has acquired Behind the Mask and is planning a huge national theater release on January 5th, 2007.

Im not going to overhype this film, but it wont disappoint on the inside slant that only a true slasher fan can enjoy - plus the inevitable killing spree is instant Friday the 13th pudding.  Take a peek at the trailer and review we did on this film a while back, and if youre at the movies that week - you'll get your camp horror money's worth.

Check out Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon in theaters starting January 5th, 2007.  Here's the press release for all the juicy details...

Anchor Bay Entertainment, a Starz Media company, has acquired all rights to Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon, the highly anticipated feature mockumentary from first-time filmmaker Scott Glosserman, the announcement was made today by Mark Ward, vice president acquisitions, Anchor Bay Entertainment.

Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon, which premiered at SXSW ’06 and has gone on to become a film festival darling garnering several awards, critical acclaim and a devout internet following, will mark the largest theatrical release thus far for Anchor Bay Entertainment, a leader in the horror genre, which is now part of Starz Media.  The film is slated to open in the U.S. on Jan. 5, 2007.  

Directed and produced by Glosserman from a script that David J. Stieve and he co-wrote, Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon features break-out performances by up & comers Nathan Baesel (Invasion), who plays the lead character, and Angela Goethals (Spanglish, 24), and also stars international cult icon Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street, 2001 Maniacs), Scott Wilson (Junebug, The Last Samurai) and Zelda Rubinstein (Poltergeist I, II, & III, Sixteen Candles).   The film was executive produced by Andrew Lewis and Code Entertainment’s Al Corley, Bart Rosenblatt and Eugene Musso.  Stieve also served as co-producer.  Glosserman is repped by Endeavor and Steve Crawford at Nine Yards Entertainment and Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon marks the first production from his company Glen Echo Entertainment. 

“Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon is a smart, affectionate tribute to the horror genre,” commented Ward.  “Scott Glosserman and company have made the next great American horror film, which is sure to resonate with fans of the genre, as well as a broad spectrum of moviegoers.”

“Anchor Bay is the perfect home for Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon,” said Glosserman. “They’re passionate, innovative and have tremendous horror-branded street cred, and now that they’re part of Starz Media, we have the benefit of a top multi-media company behind us.”

Set in a world where Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees exist, Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon introduces promising young psycho-slasher Leslie Vernon (Baesel), who aspires to follow in the footsteps of his legendary predecessors.  A true self-promoter, Leslie gives documentary filmmaker Taylor Gentry (Goethals) and her crew exclusive access to his life as he plans and executes his epic reign of terror over the sleepy town of Glen Echo, all the while deconstructing the conventions and archetypes of the horror genre for them.  

The deal was brokered by Endeavor Independent and Traction Media on behalf of Glosserman.

Anchor Bay Entertainment is a division of Starz Media.  Starz Media is a programming, production and distribution company operating worldwide. It includes the Film Roman, Anchor Bay Entertainment and Manga Entertainment brands. Its units create animated and live-action programming, including theatrical films and programming created under contract for other media companies. It distributes that programming, and programming acquired from outside producers, through home video retailers, theaters, broadcasters, ad supported and premium television channels, and Internet and wireless video distributors in the US and internationally. Starz Media is a operating unit of Starz, LLC which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation that is attributed to Liberty Capital Group, www.starz.com.