Tribune News Service

16 July 2003

`Boogeyman' filming in New Zealand.


LOS ANGELES _ "Boogeyman," the first film produced by Ghost House Pictures, the genre label formed by Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Senator International, has started filming in Auckland, New Zealand. Raimi is known for his work on the films "Evil Dead" and "Spider-Man" and as a successful producer.

"Boogeyman" is being produced by Raimi and Tapert and directed by Stephen Kay ("Get Carter").

The horror movie is about a young man who returns to his childhood home after his mother's death and must confront the terrifying visions that have haunted him all his life.

Playing the lead role of Tim is Barry Watson ("7th Heaven"), with Emily Deschanel ("Cold Mountain") as his neighbor Kate. The film also stars Tory Mussett from "Matrix Reloaded" and Lucy Lawless, who Raimi knows from episodes of "Xena: Warrior Princess."

Tapert says he and Raimi saw the formation of Ghost House Pictures as a great opportunity. "Sam and I have always been fans of horror so this is a return to our roots. Sam is the master of horror and we are looking forward to seeing Stephen Kay bring his style to the big screen," says Tapert.

Ghost House Pictures is a label dedicated to producing commercial feature films with horror, sci-fi and fantasy themes.

In addition to "Boogeyman," the Ghost House Pictures slate currently includes "The Grudge," the English-language remake of the hit Japanese film "Ju-on," which goes into production this fall, and the vampire thriller "30 Days of Night."