Producers Brad Fuller and Andrew Form founded the company Platinum Dunes with Michael Bay in 2001, and over the last 18 years they have been responsible for such films as A QUIET PLACE and a slew of remakes and reboots: THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, THE AMITYVILLE HORROR, THE HITCHER, FRIDAY THE 13TH, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. Now Fuller and Form are branching out on their own, and their new company Fully Formed Entertainment has a three-year, exclusive, first-look deal with A QUIET PLACE's home studio Paramount.
As part of their deal with Paramount, Fuller and Form are now planning to produce a feature adaptation of director Jonathan Behr's 10 minute German short film FOLLOWER. That short told the following story:
Clara Reichert only wants to spend a casual evening babysitting in a rich family’s house, when she gets a new follower for her Instagram account. But this one is different. This one is not easy to shake off. Even as Clara calls her boyfriend Patrick for help, the situation is only getting worse, because the follower has anything but good intentions. He follows her not only in the digital world – he stalks in the real world too. While Patrick is on his way to save her, she barricades herself inside the house.
The short was written by Simon Schulz, but Aaron W. Sala is writing the feature. This take on the idea will have the same set-up as the short, but
focus on the young woman’s attempt to turn the tables on her would-be stalker.
When Fully Formed Entertainment's deal with Paramount was announced, Fuller and Form released the following statement:
Michael Bay has been our mentor for 18 years and the lessons we learned from him are the building blocks that have allowed us to create Fully Formed Entertainment. Michael brought us into the Paramount family and our experience at this studio for the last 10 years has been so rewarding that we are excited to continue working with the stellar team at Paramount."
Bay also sent out a statement, saying:
I started Platinum Dunes with two of my closest friends in 2001. Our goal was to help young directors get their start in feature films, and we’ve been incredibly successful and had a lot of fun doing it. I’ve watched as Brad and Drew have grown and matured into incredibly talented, seasoned professionals. I’ve always encouraged my partners to take on new challenges. They’ve become the best at what they do in a highly competitive genre. I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I couldn’t be happier as they embark on this new chapter of their careers."
Scott Glassgold of Ground Control will be producing THE FOLLOWER alongside Fuller and Form.
The Hollywood Reporter's article on THE FOLLOWER doesn't mention whether or not Behr will be returning to direct the sequel, but this deal is another sign that making short films is a great way for genre directors to get noticed these days. I'm always impressed when I see stories like this one.
Platinum Dunes co-produces the PURGE franchise with Blumhouse
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