Oren Peli’s AREA 51 acquired by Paramount
The distribution rights to PARANORMAL ACTIVITY director Oren Peli’s AREA 51 have been acquired by Paramount.
A far cry from the $11,000 it took to make PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, AREA 51 boasts a budget of just under $5 million. AREA 51 uses the same found-footage technique as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, along with a cast of unknown actors. The film tells the story of three teenagers who explore the Area 51 section of Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. Principal photography was completed three weeks ago and the film is expected to see a 2010 release.
The movie features actors Reid Warner, Darrin Bragg, and Ben Rovner and is currently in post-production. Peli will work on a sequel to PARANORMAL ACTIVITY for Paramount after its completion. PARANORMAL ACTIVITY has made over $106 million so far and is still in theaters.
Paramount made a deal in the seven figure range to co-finance the film, as well as any sequels, at the American Film Market.
Many are speculating that director Oren Peli is a one-trick pony, due to his reliance on the found footage technique for yet another film. But based on the success of his first film, can we blame him? It seems that Paramount is confident that audiences aren’t tired of it yet.
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