By Marc Graser
October 22, 2007
Toby Wilkins has been tapped to direct “The Grudge 3′′ for Ghost House Pictures, with production expected to start sometime in January.
Sony-based shingle, run by Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, along with Mandate’s Joe Drake and Nathan Kahane, recently produced “30 Days of Night.” They will oversee the third installment of “The Grudge” franchise.
Wilkins takes over from Takashi Shimizu, who helmed the second outing.
Wilkins is making his feature directing debut on “Splinter,” a horror pic for ContentFilm that he is wrapping up. Raimi had hired him to helm “Tales of the Grudge,” a series of short films to promote “The Grudge 2.”
His work, including the short film “Staring at the Sun” has also been screened at Sundance. Before directing, he did f/x and design work for James Cameron, Brett Ratner and Bryan Singer.
First two “Grudge” pics have been solid earners at the B.O., given their low budgets. The two pics have earned $258 million worldwide, with the first having released in 2004 and the sequel in 2006.