Lionsgate closed a deal to acquire the U.S. rights from StudioCanel for German director Daniel Stamm’s horror film ‘The Last Exorcism,’ according to Comingsoon.net. Formerly called ‘Cotton,’ ‘The Last Exorcism’ was produced by Strike Entertainment’s Marc Abraham, Eric Newman and Tom Bliss, as well as Eli Roth, the director of such horror hits ‘Cabin Fever’ and ‘Hostel.’

The deal was negotiated by Lionsgate president of acquisitions and co-productions Jason Constantine, senior vice-president of acquisitions and co-productions Eda Kowan and executive vice-president of business and legal affairs, acquisitions and co-productions Wendy Jaffe. Constantine told ComingSoon that “It’s always great to work with our friend (Eli), who has played a key role in establishing Lionsgate in the vanguard of the horror genre. ‘The Last Exorcism’ feels as close to a real exorcism as anyone would ever want to get-audiences are going to find this movie scary…”

‘The Last Exorcism’ stars Patrick Fabian as Reverend Cotton Marcus, a troubled and dishonorable evangelical minister. He allows a film crew to record the last days performing his final, and what starts out to be, fraudulent exorcism. However, Reverend Marcus will unexpectantly face evil, and must find his faith to save the possessed girl. The movie will premiere next month in Austin, Texas at South by Southwest.

Written by: Karen Benardello