"Return To Silent Hill" Finally Lands a Release Date

Terrifier trio Cineverse, Bloody Disgusting, and Iconic Events Releasing are reteaming on the domestic theatrical releases of horror reboots "Return to Silent Hill" and "Silent Night, Deadly Night".

Based on the popular video game series by Konami, "Return to Silent Hill" will be released January 23. 

The psychological horror thriller stars Jeremy Irvine and Hannah Emily Anderson. Returning to the Silent Hill universe are director/co-writer Christophe Gans and Akira Yamaoka, original composer for the game franchise.

"Return to Silent Hill" is the third installment in the game-to-screen horror film franchise, marking its 20th year since the first film, Silent Hill, was released in theaters. Starring Radha Mitchell and Sean Bean and directed by Christophe Gans, Silent Hill topped the box office in its opening weekend in 2006. "Silent Hill: Revelation" followed in 2012, directed by M.J. Bassett and starring Kit Harington and Adelaide Clemens.

It follows James (Irvine), a man broken after his relationship with the love of his life, Mary (Anderson), ends. When a mysterious letter from her calls him back to Silent Hill, he finds a once-recognizable town transformed by an unknown evil. While James desperately searches for Mary, he encounters terrifying creatures and begins to unravel the mystery of what happened to the town.

Produced by Victor Hadida of Davis Films, Molly Hassell of Hassell Free Productions, and David Wulf, the film is financed by Davis Films and Ashland Hill Media Finance. The Veterans handle international rights.

"Silent Night, Deadly Night" character Billy Chapman will make his return to theaters on December 12.

The reboot, which began production in April, is written and directed by Mike P. Nelson (Wrong Turn) and stars Rohan Campbell as Billy and Ruby Modine as Pamela, along with Mark Acheson, David Lawrence Brown, and David Tomlinson. 

Iconic Events says the movie will have an unrated wide release.

"Silent Night, Deadly Night" is produced by the original 1984 TriStar film’s producers Scott Schneid and Dennis Whitehead, and New Dimension’s Jamie R. Thompson, Rebel 6’s Erik Bernard and White Bear Films’ Jeremy Torrie, with executive producers Steven Schneider, Anthony Masi, and Sarah Eilts. 

Terrifier’s Brandon Hill and Brad Miska will oversee Cineverse and will executive-produce alongside Erick Opeka and Yolanda Macias, Bondit Media Capital’s Matthew Helderman and Luke Taylor. Financing came from Bondit Media Capital and Royal Bank of Canada. Distribution outside of North America is being handled by Sixth Dimension, StudioCanal’s genre label.

When it was released in 1984, the first "Silent Night, Deadly Night" movie became one of the most controversial movies of the year. In a series of letters, parents demanded that the film be pulled from theaters. 

The film charts the story of a young man who goes on a murderous rampage dressed as Santa after being released from an orphanage.

“We have been anything but silent about our mission to champion proven IP as a central piece of our theatrical strategy,” said Cineverse Chief Motion Pictures Officer Yolanda Macias. “These two films will represent event viewing that meet fan demand for new releases from their favorite franchises, and an opportunity for them to reach a new audience.”

Said Mark Rupp, CFO/COO and co-founder of Iconic Events Releasing: “Cineverse’s decision to release Silent Night, Deadly Night as an unrated wide theatrical title reflects a proven strategy that continues to resonate with genre fans and deliver results and we’re confident it will be well-positioned for the holiday season. Return to Silent Hill hits theaters at the perfect time following the successful recent launch of the Silent Hill 2 game remake that the movie is based on, while also celebrating the 20th anniversary of the start of the horror film franchise.”