Bleecker Street has taken North American distribution rights to horror film The Third Parent from Walters Media Group starring Rob Lowe, Crispin Glover and Roselyn Sanchez. A nationwide theatrical release will be scheduled at some point in the future.
The movie marks the feature debut of producer David Michaels, who is set to write and direct.
Based on the acclaimed viral “creepypasta” series of internet-based stories from writer Elias Witherow, The Third Parent takes place amidst a 4th of July celebration, when a disturbing figure named Tommy Taffy emerges, disguising himself as a human to infiltrate a suburban neighborhood and impose authoritarian rule over an unsuspecting family.
“Crispin Glover’s Tommy Taffy will be the next great horror villain,” said Bleecker’s Andrew Karpen and Kent Sanderson in a statement. “With Gary’s incredible track record as a producer and David’s strong vision, anchored by Rob Lowe and Roselyn Sanchez’ compelling performances, we believe this will be a singular and terrifying theatrical experience.”
“I am so thrilled to be part of Bleecker Street’s continued expansion into the horror space. Andrew and Kent’s support for this project has been phenomenal,” said Gary Michael Walters.
Pic is produced by Gary Michael Walters (Whiplash, Nightcrawler, and Bleecker’s Colette) for Walters Media Group, which retains ownership of the IP. Lowe also produces along with Spencer Young for Enfant Terrible and Jonathan Halperyn and Daniel Kresmery for Hero Squared. EPs include Jack Roberts for Lesnik Entertainment, Drake Dowd and Kristen Gilot-Dowd for Dowd Films, and Andrew Karpen and Kent Sanderson for Bleecker Street.
Golden Globe and Emmy nominated Lowe starred in The West Wing, Parks and Recreation, 9-1-1: Lone Star, and Unstable, as well as films such as St. Elmo’s Fire, About Last Night…, and The Outsiders. Lowe is also the host and producer of FOX’s hit game show The Floor and is a New York Times best-selling author of memoirs including Stories I Only Tell My Friends and Love Life.
Glover starred in the Back to the Future franchise, River’s Edge as well as TV series like American Gods and Texas Rising.
Sanchez is an actress, director, producer, and author known for her work in the television series Fantasy Island, Devious Maids, and Without a Trace, and in such films as Rush Hour 2, The Game Plan, and Act of Valor. She received an ALMA Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Television Series for her role in Without a Trace. She recently wrapped her feature film directorial debut on Diario: Mujer y Café.
The deal was negotiated by Bleecker Street’s Miranda King and Avy Eschenasy. Walters and Rosen Law Group negotiated for WMG.
