Writer-director and founder of Imperiad Entertainment David W. Edwards premiered the following trailer at the  New York City Horror Film Festival, the largest horror convention in the States. The clip is full of creepy goodness. Check it out:

According to the film’s website, Edwards is currently seeking a cash-injection to complete production on the super-natural thriller. Let’s hope he steals his mom’s credit card and gets this baby done. I need to know what the fuck is feeding on the hot blond’s head!

The official synopsis reads:

In Nightscape, three high school seniors are drawn into a world of living nightmares. Exposed to a frightening creature of unknown origin, the teens unexpectedly gain paranormal powers. As these powers grow and change the trio suspect they’ve become hapless pawns in a larger war between ancient forces of good and evil.

The film is a smart supernatural thriller that combines compelling drama and surreal, Lovecraftian horror. It marks a return to the psychological terror of films like Videodrome and In the Mouth of Madness.

If you can’t beat them, join them.

In an ironic twist of fate that would make Jigsaw proud, Saw 6 director Kevin Greutert has been hired by Paramount Pictures to helm the sequel to Oren Peli’s surprise blockbuster hit Paranormal Activity. Produced by Peli and Jason Blum, Paranormal Activity 2 (title may change) will once again go mano-a-mano with the Saw franchise on Oct. 22.

(UPDATE: Greutert will not direct Paranormal Activity 2. Lionsgate is enforcing a clause in his contract to bring him back to direct Saw 7. Read the full story here)

Greutert writes on his blog MyTorturePorn:

Never, EVER, mention “Blair Witch 2:  Book of Shadows” in my presence, lest I cease all diplomatic relations with you forthwith.

The editor-turned director has reason to be nervous about his new project. Aside from having Saw 6, his feature film debut, stall at the box office with a mere $31 million last October, Greutert must now deal with skeptics who view the Activity sequel as nothing more than a money-grab.

Peli, who wrote and directed the original Activity film for $15, 000 at his home, believes Greutert and screenwriter Michael R. Perry will deliver the goods.

He tells the Hollywood Reporter:

These guys get it, and the fans won’t be disappointed.

If Saw 6 is any indication, I think Greutert’s involvement in the Paranormal Activity sequel can only make it better. Saw 6 was the best entry in the Saw series since Saw 3 and clearly showcased Greutert’s talents for creating whiteknuckle horror (See review here). It’s a shame the suits at Lionsgate rehired Saw 5 (the worse in the series) director David Hackl for this year’s Saw 7.

Peli, meanwhile, is currently at work on a docu-style alien-thriller entitled Area 51.

Indie-director Marc Webb is set to swing into the director’s chair for Sony Pictures’ recently announced Spiderman reboot. Webb’s work on the critically acclaimed (500) Days of Summer rom-com is said to have sealed the deal for the studio, which plans to take the Peter Parker character back to high school to face new foes such as girls, homework, and acne.

Zodiac writer Jamie Vanderbilt is said to have already turned in a script.

"Is Spiderman the bullet-proof guy?"

Webb says:

This is a dream come true and I couldn’t be more aware of the challenge, responsibility, or opportunity. Sam Raimi’s virtuoso rendering of  Spider-Man is a humbling precedent to follow and build upon.  The first three films are beloved for good reason.  But I think the Spider-Man mythology transcends not only generations but directors as well.  I am signing on not to ‘take over’ from Sam.  That would be impossible.  Not to mention arrogant.  I’m here because there’s an opportunity for ideas, stories, and histories that will add a new dimension, canvas, and creative voice to Spider-Man.

Sony will now begin its search for an actor to play the Spiderman (Tobey Maguire, along with director Sam Raimi, were shown the door last week). The film is budgeted at an estimated $80 million—a significantly lower number than Raimi’s projections for Spiderman 4—and will be based on the” Ultimate Spiderman” comics by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley.

Spiderman is slated to hit theaters in 2012.

Sony’s press release reads:

CULVER CITY, Calif., January , 2010 – Marc Webb, the director of the Golden Globe nominated Best Picture (500) Days of Summer will direct the next chapter in the Spider-Man franchise, set to hit theaters summer 2012, it was jointly announced today by Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios.

Written by James Vanderbilt, Webb will work closely with producers Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin in developing the project, which will begin production later this year.

Commenting on the announcement, Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures, said, “At its core, Spider-Man is a small, intimate human story about an everyday teenager that takes place in an epic super-human world. The key for us as we sought a new director was to identify filmmakers who could give sharp focus to Peter Parker’s life. We wanted someone who could capture the awe of being in Peter’s shoes so the audience could experience his sense of discovery while giving real heart to the emotion, anxiety, and recklessness of that age and coupling all of that with the adrenaline of Spider-Man’s adventure. We believe Marc Webb is the perfect choice to bring us on that journey.”

Arad and Ziskin added jointly, “Over the years, the Spider-Man comics have been told with bold and creative new writers and artists who have re-calibrated the way audiences see Peter Parker. Marc Webb will do for the new direction of the films what so many visionary storytellers have done with the comic books. He is an incredibly talented filmmaker and we look forward to working closely with him on this new adventure.”

Webb said, “This is a dream come true and I couldn’t be more aware of the challenge, responsibility, or opportunity. Sam Raimi’s virtuoso rendering of  Spider-Man is a humbling precedent to follow and build upon.  The first three films are beloved for good reason.  But I think the Spider-Man mythology transcends not only generations but directors as well.  I am signing on not to ‘take over’ from Sam.  That would be impossible.  Not to mention arrogant.  I’m here because there’s an opportunity for ideas, stories, and histories that will add a new dimension, canvas, and creative voice to Spider-Man.”

Stan Lee, co-creator of Spider-Man, added, “I’m excited that Sony has chosen a director with a real penchant and understanding for the character.  This is a brave, bold direction for the franchise, and I can’t wait to see what Marc comes up with next.”

Added Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, “The idea of re-imagining the on-screen story for one of the world’s most iconic superheros is sure to deliver an exciting new dimension to Spider-Man fans everywhere.  There are volumes of comics and material available to inspire fresh and compelling takes on Peter Parker and his journey as Spidey and we look forward to seeing this come alive onscreen.”

MARC WEBB has won acclaim with his film debut (500) Days of Summer. He has several MTV VMAs™ including 2009’s Best Director award for Green Day’s “21 Guns,” 2006 Best Rock Video for AFI’s “Miss Murder,” and Best Group Video for The All-American Rejects’ “Move Along.” The Music Video Production Association honored him in 2006 as the Director of the Year for his work with Weezer, AAR, and My Chemical Romance.

In addition to two Golden Globe nominations including Best Picture (musical or comedy), his first feature film, (500) Days of Summer, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel, has been nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Feature.  Webb was also awarded the Spotlight Award, which honors outstanding directorial debuts, by the National Board of Review.