Lionsgate has acquired writer-director Dylan Clark’s feature Portrait of God and greenlit it for production, with Chase Infiniti set to star. The project was originally set up at Universal Pictures.
The film is based on Clark’s viral horror short of the same name. Per Deadline‘s report when it was set up at Universal, “the short centers on a religious young woman who discovers the disquieting answer to the question, ‘What does God look like?’ Opening with a quote from the Old Testament — ‘No man shall see Me and live’ — it finds Mia sitting in the dark, practicing a slide presentation about a work of art dubbed ‘Portrait of God.’ To some who view the painting, she says, it appears completely black. But others report seeing a person in the darkness — one who’s been described time and again, in consistent detail.” Plot details for the feature have not been disclosed.
Clark directs and co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Russo. Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert produce through their Ghost House banner, alongside Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld through Monkeypaw Productions and Russo. Romel Adam and Jose Cañas oversee for Ghost House, and Chris Rosati executive produces on behalf of Monkeypaw through his first-look deal at NAT20 Films. The project marks the first collaboration between Raimi and Peele.
Lionsgate chair Adam Fogelson said, “We’re delighted to deepen our creative partnership with Dylan Clark, whose remarkable talent and distinctive perspective make him one of the most exciting emerging voices in horror. With Sam and Jordan, two of the genre’s most influential producers, the extraordinary Chase Infiniti starring, and Dylan at the helm, this is an exceptional creative team. We believe they have all the ingredients for a film that is haunting, thought-provoking, and scary as hell.”
Clark said, “With Blair Witch, I’m experiencing firsthand the trust Lionsgate places in its filmmakers, and I couldn’t be happier that Portrait of God has found a home there as well. I’m also thrilled to welcome Chase Infiniti to our team. She blew me away in One Battle After Another and is one of the most exciting young actors working today.”
Clark is also set to make his feature directorial debut with Lionsgate’s untitled Blair Witch film.
Featured image photo credit: BFA for NYLON Photos by Deonte Lee
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