Magnolia seeing 'Red'

Film unit scoops up rights to thriller

By WINTER MILLER

'Red,' which preemed at Sundance and will screen at Cannes, will go out in North America this summer.

Magnolia Pictures has scooped up North American rights to Trygve Allister Diesen and Lucky McKee’s thriller “Red.” Screenplay by Stephen Susco is based on Jack Ketchum’s novel of the same name.

A Sundance 2008 preem, revenge drama stars Brian Cox and Tom Sizemore and features Robert Englund and Amanda Plummer. Project was initiated by McKee (“The Woods”) and finished by Diesen.

Tale of retribution begins with the search of an elderly man (Cox) for justice when his dog is murdered, ultimately leading to a series of unsavory and violent events.

“Red” is an “archetypal story of right vs. wrong,” said Magnolia prexy Eamonn Bowles.

Magnolia plans exclusive HDNet Ultra VOD airings, with a late summer theatrical rollout to follow.

Drama will screen in the Cannes market, with international rights still up for grabs.