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- New film deal: what Lionsgate bought and who’s attached
- How this fits into Leone’s schedule
- Why a studio would bet on a controversial horror auteur
- Terrifier franchise: from indie start to mainstream returns
- Controversies, criticism, and legal disputes
- Production and studio leadership
- Representatives and Raimi’s current work
Damien Leone is taking his next step from cult phenomenon to studio-backed filmmaker. Lionsgate has picked up an original horror movie Leone will write, direct, and produce, and the project will pair him with genre stalwart Sam Raimi and his producing partner Rob Tapert.
New film deal: what Lionsgate bought and who’s attached
Lionsgate will release an original title called Tortures of the Damned. Details about the plot are being kept private, but the studio deal is official and positions Leone to work with established horror names.
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- Director/Writer/Producer: Damien Leone
- Producers: Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert (Ghost House)
- Studio oversight: Scott O’Brien and Pavan Kalidindi for Lionsgate
- Ghost House oversight & executive producers: Romel Adam and Jose Cañas
- Deal negotiation: Dan Freedman
How this fits into Leone’s schedule
Leone will move onto Tortures of the Damned after finishing work on Terrifier 4, which is currently in pre-production. The new film represents his first original project outside the Terrifier series under a major studio banner.
Why a studio would bet on a controversial horror auteur
Leone’s films are extreme in tone and content, which makes the partnership notable. The Terrifier movies have often been released unrated by the MPA due to graphic material. Still, Lionsgate appears willing to back Leone’s creative voice because of the franchise’s audience pull and clear commercial upside.
Terrifier franchise: from indie start to mainstream returns
The rise of the Terrifier series explains part of the studio’s interest.
- The first film (2016) had a quiet release and modest impact.
- Terrifier 2 (2022) became a cult hit and grossed about $15.8 million worldwide on a lean marketing budget.
- Terrifier 3 (2024) significantly expanded the audience and generated roughly $90 million globally.
Controversies, criticism, and legal disputes
Leone’s work has drawn criticism for violent depictions of women. He has publicly defended his films and noted fans’ strong support for franchise heroine Sienna Shaw, played by Lauren LaVera. At the same time, some cast members have filed a breach of contract suit, and other contributors have alleged disputes over work and promotional materials.
Production and studio leadership
Ghost House and Lionsgate will shepherd the project together. The production team mix aims to balance Leone’s distinct style with the resources of a major studio.
Key production roles
- Ghost House: Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert producing
- Lionsgate executives supervising: Scott O’Brien, Pavan Kalidindi
- Ghost House oversight & executive producers: Romel Adam, Jose Cañas
Representatives and Raimi’s current work
Leone is represented by WME and Zerner Law. Raimi, represented by CAA and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, recently directed the horror thriller Send Help. He is also developing a remake of Magic with Lionsgate.
Tortures of the Damned marks a high-profile moment for an indie horror director who built a sizable audience outside the studio system. The move will test how far a major distributor will go to support a distinctive, divisive genre voice.
