After Dark’s (Area) 51 to Premiere on Syfy Next Month?

Foywonder |

Jan 25, 2011

A few days ago it was announced that two of the eight films slated for this weekend’s After Dark Originals theatrical release were being held off until later in the year due to a deal with Syfy. By later in the year they must have meant February 26th, the date that 51 will premiere as one of Syfy’s Saturday night originals. Oh, and it looks as if the title has been changed to Area 51, too.

The film, now called Area 51 because I guess Syfy execs felt 51 wasn’t specific enough for general audiences, stars Jason London (Monsterwolf), Bruce Boxleitner (“Babylon 5”), and Rachel Miner (“Californication”) and is directed by Jason Connery (The Devil’s Tomb).

Area 51 chronicles what happens after political pressure from the American public forces the Air Force to provide a few well-known reporters with limited access to the most secretive base on the planet: Area 51. When one of the base’s hidden “long term visitors” exploits this unprecedented visit as a chance to liberate himself and his fellow alien captives, Area 51 turns from a secure government base to a horrifying destination of terror. The movie is a production of After Dark Films.

According to Syfy.com‘s schedule and The Futon Critic, Area 51 is slated to make its world premiere on Saturday, February 26th, at 9/8 Central. The film will replay late night four hours later.

No official word from Syfy or After Dark about the premiere date, but it’s pretty clear what they have scheduled for February 26th and what film it almost certainly has to be, unless it’s Oren Peli’s Area 51, which there’s absolutely no chance of. Stay tuned for when the other delayed After Dark flick, Scream of the Banshee, will make its Syfy bow.

Check out the After Dark Originals website for more!