Longlegs director Osgood Perkins and his producing partner Chris Ferguson have launched production banner Phobos with backing from Neon.
Under the first-look deal, Neon will house films that Perkins writes and directs, as well as those he produces for other filmmakers. Neon will release the features theatrically in the U.S. and represent the international rights. Perkins will continue to work with producer Brian Kavanaugh-Jones of Range.
The agreement cements Neon’s relationship with Perkins, who has established himself as an influential force in the horror genre. Neon acquired Longlegs, starring Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage, and The Monkey, based on the short story by Stephen King. Longless broke the $100M barrier globally, making it Neon‘s highest-grossing film ever and the best-performing indie horror for the past 10 years.
Neon will also release Perkins’ next film, Keeper, in October. A teaser trailer for the movie will drop on YouTube on Wednesday at 12.06PM PT.
“There’s only one Osgood Perkins — fearless, deeply imaginative, relentlessly funny and operating on a frequency that’s all his own,” said Neon CEO Tom Quinn. “His work lingers with you, burrows into your brain as all great art does. With Neon as his creative home, Oz will continue to cook, pushing the boundaries of his ever-expanding cinematic universe.”
The first-look deal was negotiated by Neon, with Perkins repped by CAA, Untitled, and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Feldman, Rogal, Shikora & Clark, Inc.
