Kevin Smith’s Comes the Krampus Renamed Anti-Claus; XYZ Films Selling International Rights

Steve Barton   |  

Apr 28, 2014

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We recently told you about Kevin Smith’s new holiday horror anthology film that embraces the European child-eating Christmas creature known as The Krampus, and now it has a new title and international sales agent. Read on for the details!

From the Press Release:
XYZ Films has picked up all international sales rights to Kevin Smith’s ANTI-CLAUS, a Yuletide horror film populated by the stars of Smith’s TUSK, including Justin Long, Haley Joel Osment, Genesis Rodriguez, and Michael Parks.

The festive fright flick will be produced by Jordan Monsanto, Andy McElfresh, and Jennifer Schwalbach for Smith’s SModcast Pictures with Jason Mewes executive producing. XYZ Films will give buyers their first look at the project during the Marché du Film in Cannes this May.

ANTI-CLAUS tells the tale of the centuries-old, devil-like creature known the world over as the Krampus – the “Anti-Claus” of Alpine country folklore, infamous for eating naughty children during the season of giving.

“When I was a kid, if they wanted to make a Christmas horror movie, they’d stick an axe in Santa’s hands,” says Smith. “In ANTI-CLAUS we leave Santa alone and creep with the Krampus through twisted tales of holly-jolly murder, desire, desperation, and despair. Just in time for the holiday season.”

Principal photography begins in September. Explains Smith, “In America we’re taught that nice kids gets presents from Santa and naughty kids get coal. But in countries like Germany, Austria, Bavaria, Romania, and Hungary, Christmas is more metal than merry: Saint Nicholas brings a sack full of toys for good kids and the Krampus carries an empty bag for taking away the bad kids. I wanna see THAT Christmas movie. So rather than wait for it, we’ll make it instead.”

Robert Kurtzman, the SFX legend behind the makeup for TUSK, also returns to create the Krampus. WME Global is handling North American sales.

XYZ Films is also currently handling sales for Smith’s upcoming and highly anticipated horror-thriller TUSK, which will be released by A24 later this year. Sony Worldwide Acquisitions Group acquired several international territories at the European Film Market in February.

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