It’s no secret that Jason Blum and his production outlet, Blumhouse Productions, dig low budgets. It’s their nature – they’re primarily interested in horror. This is why today’s unveiling is a pivotal moment for the little-genre-that-could. Blumhouse Productions have launched a new label, BH Tilt, with the sole purpose of enabling Blumhouse filmmakers (and whoever else wants to come and play) the potential to release their movies through a multi-platform model. This means a change to the distribution framework, allowing fans multiple options to access the latest horror smashes. Snuck into the announcement over at Deadline was a word that’ll no doubt bring much joy to Joe Carnahan: Stretch.
Produced by Jason Blum and directed by Carnahan, Stretch was given a raw deal by Universal. When it came to marketing the $5 million grit-fest, the studio pulled out. Apparently they weren’t keen to dish out $40 mil advertising something so low budget. Well, the egg may well and truly be on their face as its set to get a digital release this October. Also lined up for release: The Duplass Brothers’ The Creep Trilogy, Mockingbird, Mercy, Not Safe For Work and remake The Town That Dreaded Sundown.
Blum spoke out today about the very nature of the new label, which is already looking to be incredibly beneficial to the underdog:
“Our company is built on the idea of betting on yourself. As a result of our micro-budgets, we encourage our filmmakers to take risks and make the movies they have always dreamed of making. The purpose of BH Tilt is to be part of the continuing evolution of distribution, whether it be through changing marketing strategies, changing revenue sources or changing windows. We are excited to launch BH Tilt and can’t wait to share these films with genre fans through every means available.”
Stretch stars Patrick Wilson as a debt-ridden chauffeur who takes a job driving an eccentric billionaire (Chris Pine) around for a lucrative gig – which turns hellish as he winds up enlisting his new driver into a nightmare evening.
We’ll let you know as soon as a specific release date is announced.