Sony Pictures has locked down some major talent to help produce more horror for the studio in the coming years. Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill, the duo behind hits such as The Black Phone and Sinister, have signed a new first-look deal with Sony that will see them producing films for the studio’s Screen Gems banner, per Deadline. This means some of horror’s most promising creatives now have a new home.
While no new projects were announced, Derrickson and Cargill’s Crooked Highway production company will set up shop at Screen Gems in the future. Whether that’s with Derrickson behind the camera, or with the duo producing films for other filmmakers, they will lend their talents to future genre flicks released by Sony. Derrickson is currently directing The Gorge, with The Black Phone 2 due to hit theaters in 2025. Cargill serves as a producer on both of those films. Derrickson and Cargill had this to say in a joint statement:
“We’re very excited to be joining Sony Pictures at this juncture and to be pairing with the incredible new team over at Screen Gems. Their commitment to giving thoughtful, intense, genre films theatrical distribution is in line with what we very much want to be doing both as a company and as artists. Our early work with them is already yielding exciting developments, and we look forward to making numerous great projects together in the years to come.”
Derrickson and Cargill first collaborated together on 2012’s Sinister, which proved to be a big hit. They then reunited on Marvel’s 2016 blockbuster Doctor Strange. They have been working together ever since, forming Crooked Highway several years back to further cement the partnership. 2022’s The Black Phone saw them return to the horror genre, a film that earned more than $160 million worldwide.
Before working with Cargill, Derrickson directed The Exorcism of Emily Rose for Sony, which was a big hit in its day, taking in more than $145 million. Given the history these filmmakers have, it’s not remotely surprising that Sony and Screen Gems wanted to lock them down for future endeavors. Ashley Brucks, President of Screen Gems, had this to say:
“We first got to experience Scott’s talent with The Exorcism of Emily Rose. From then on, he and Cargill have excelled in reinventing the genre space by pushing boundaries and tapping into people’s deepest fears. They have an incredible ability to connect with (and scare) audiences. We feel lucky to have them here at Screen Gems and look forward to creating hits and breaking new boundaries with them at our side.”
Sony also locked down Gary Dauberman (It, Annabelle Comes Home) last year to produce horror films for Screen Gems as well. The studio is very bullish on the genre right now and they are investing in talent very seriously to try and up their output on that front. That can only be good news for viewers.
The Black Phone 2 is currently set to hit theaters on October 17, 2025. For more, be sure to check out FANGORIA and Fright-Rags 6th annual Pride shirt collection.
