Mike Fleming

EXCLUSIVE: Anchor Bay Films has acquired Nothing To Fear, the first film produced by Slasher Films, the horror label hatched by former Guns n Roses guitarist Slash and the producing team of Rob Eric and Michael Williams. Nothing To Fear is based on an actual town in Kansas, which, according to legend, is one of the seven gateways to Hell. Anthony Leonardi III is directing. He has been the lead creature artist and storyboard artist for Constantine, Pirates Of The Caribbean 3, Rango and the upcoming 47 Ronin. Slash will be co-producing the score of the movie.

“Anchor Bay is thrilled to be working with the Slasher Films team,” said Kevin Kasha, EVP Acquisitions and Co-Productions at Anchor Bay Films. “We knew we wanted to work with Slash when he announced the formation of the label back in September at Toronto, and after having read this script, we are even more excited.” Added Slash: “Anthony Leonardi’s vision of this story is exceptionally unnerving and dark. It will keep you totally engaged from the first second of the film to the last. It’s guaranteed to scare the hell out of you.” Slash, a longtime fan of genre films, formed the label to make smart horror films. He is a regular at the Sundance Film Festival, where he comes to watch films.

The film focuses on a family whose journey toward a better life in a small town is savagely derailed by a charismatic but emotionally conflicted man of the cloth. Stemming from folklore surrounding the actual town of Stull, Kansas, generations of residents and outsiders alike have proclaimed Stull to be one of the seven known gateways to Hell — where once a year the Devil will rise from the town’s modest graveyard to walk the Earth.

The deal was negotiated by Josh Thomashow on behalf of Anchor Bay and by executive producers Shaun Redick and Ray Mansfield of Movie Package Co, and Jackie Eckhouse of Sloss Eckhouse LawCo on behalf of Slasher Films. Content Media is currently handling international sales for the picture. Leonardi is repped by CAA, Brett Etre Management, and attorney Stephen Clark at Lichter, Grossman.