Relativity has acquired a spec script based on Horror short/proof-of-concept Realm, which finds a teenage exorcist able to enter the bodies of the possessed and literalize the fight for their soul into a knock down drag out with a demon.
The short, which you can find below, is certainly a salable, stylish piece of action-horror, with slo-mo, “that’s where I come in” voiceover and a conceit that moves beyond just watching a white faced victim writhe in a bed. The short was directed by Scott Speer (who directed the best Step Up sequel, Revolution) from a script by John Swetnam (who united the crews in Step Up: All In) and the two are attached to the developing feature; Speer to direct and Swetnam to produce from a screenplay by Rebecca Sonnenshine (The Vampire Diaries, underseen faux doc American Zombie).
You can see Realm, starring Adelaide Kane, below. I’ll be over here wishing Speer and Swetnam found a way to make a Step Up sequel a horror movie. [Deadline]
REALM from Scott Speer on Vimeo.