Universal captures 'Troll Hunter'
UPI nabs rights in several major territories
LONDON -- Universal Pictures International has secured multi-territory European distribution rights for Norwegian pic "The Troll Hunter."
UPI will distribute the CGI fantasy monster pic in France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Russia (including CIS and Baltics), Austria, Switzerland and Benelux.
Magnolia Pictures' genre arm, Magnet Releasing, will distribute the pic in the U.S. in 2011 after having snapped up world rights for the pic (excluding Europe) following its secret screening at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas.
Svensk Filmindustri will release the film in Norway on Oct. 29.
UPI's worldwide acquisitions manager Negeen Yazdi and director of European creative J.J. Lousberg brokered the deal with shingle Filmkameratene's John M. Jacobsen.
Pic marks the debut feature of commercials director Andre Ovredal and stars Norwegian comic Otto Jespersen. Filmkameratene's Jacobsen and Sveinung Golimo are producers.
Story follows a group of Norwegian film students who embark on a journey to catch real-life trolls on camera that the government has been keeping under wraps for years.
UPI prexy of international production and acquisitions Christian Grass said the pic "has the potential to redefine the (fantasy) genre and take it to the next level."
Pic's trailer became a viral Internet sensation, following the footsteps of verite-style pics like "Cloverfield" and "Paranormal Activity."