Dimension Films and Miramax have used the Cannes Film Festival to announce a project that will definitely not be playing at the Canes Film Festival: "The Amityville Horror: The Lost Tapes," a new addition to the horror franchise and the first collaboration in a Miramax/Weinstein Company alliance that allows TWC's Dimension to make sequels to Miramax properties.
That agreement, which was announced last year, permits Weinstein to produce sequels to projects released by Miramax, which was founded by TWC principals Harvey and Bob Weinstein.
Other films that may be produced under the agreement include sequels to "Bad Santa," "Bridget Jones's Diary," "From Dusk Till Dawn" and "Shakespeare in Love."
Also read: Miramax, Weinstein Co. to Produce Sequels to 'Bad Santa,' 'Swingers'
The screenplay for the new haunted-house film was written by Casey La Scala and Daniel Farrands, who are also set to direct. Production begins this summer, with a release date scheduled for January 2012.
The last film in the series, "The Amityville Horror" with Ryan Reynolds, was produced by Dimension in 2005 and released through MGM.
"We are thrilled to return to the mythology of the Amityville Horror with a new and terrifying vision that will satisfy our existing fans and also introduce an entirely new audience to this popular haunting phenomenon," said Bob Weinstein in a statement announcing the project.