Relativity Captures Raven; Studio Acquires Edgar Allen Poe Thriller

(Beverly Hills, CA) – Relativity Media has announced that it has acquired U.S. rights to market and distribute Intrepid Pictures’ The Raven, directed by James McTeigue (V for Vendetta) and starring John Cusack (2012, 1408).

The film also stars Luke Evans (Immortals, Clash of the Titans), Alice Eve (Sex and the City 2), Brendan Gleeson (Harry Potter Series) and Oliver Jackson-Cohen (Faster). The script was written by Ben Livingston (Bruce Almighty) and Hannah Shakespeare (Loverboy).

The Raven is a fictionalized account of the final days of gothic writer Edgar Allan Poe as he tracks a serial killer whose crimes mirror works by the famous author.

Trevor Macy and Marc D. Evans are producing for Intrepid, alongside Aaron Ryder for FilmNation, who brought the project to Intrepid. Galavis Films’ Jesus Martinez is executive producing. FilmNation is selling international distribution rights to the film. Principal photography on The Raven began in November in Hungary, with a move to Serbia in December. Production wrapped in January.

Relativity currently has Golden Globe®-winner The Fighter in theatres, via Paramount Pictures, starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo and Amy Adams. Relativity’s 2011 slate also includes current release Season of the Witch starring Nicolas Cage and Ron Perlman. The hilarious Take Me Home Tonight debuts on March 4th starring Topher Grace and Anna Faris. Following on March 18th, is the much-anticipated Limitless, starring Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish and Oscar®-winner Robert De Niro. Relativity recently announced its acquisition of the Untitled David R. Ellis 3D Shark Thriller which will release in theatres on September 2nd. Finally on November 11th, 2011 is Immortals starring Henry Cavill, Stephen Dorff, Isabel Lucas, Freida Pinto, Luke Evans, Kellan Lutz, with John Hurt and Mickey Rourke.

Intrepid Pictures credits include the upcoming action feature The Cold Light of Day, directed by Mabrouk El Mechri and starring Bruce Willis and Sigourney Weaver. Intrepid also produced the hit horror feature The Strangers, starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman.

“We’re excited to partner with the Relativity team on this thrilling feature, which capitalizes on the popularity of Edgar Allen Poe and his classic tales,” said Macy and Evans in a joint statement. “We’re also very pleased that Relativity is committed to helping deliver this film to the widest possible audience.”

“Edgar Allen Poe’s name is synonymous with legendary tales of suspense, and we love the idea of a thriller with Poe at its center, McTeigue at the helm and a talented cast bringing it all to life,” said Relativity’s President of Worldwide Production, Tucker Tooley.