With his KISS makeup on, frontman Gene Simmons always looked a little scary. So maybe this new venture makes sense.
The rocker and reality-show star is teaming with WWE Studios to launch Erebus Pictures, a label that will finance and produce horror movies. The joint venture kicks off with a three-picture deal starting with “Temple,” expected to begin shooting this summer.
“The horror genre continues to fascinate me as it proves to be endlessly thrilling and engaging for audiences,” said Simmons, who with KISS has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide.
Erebus Pictures is named after the Greek mythological deity that personifies darkness. It has a logical marketing platform in the WWE Network, a subscription-based streaming service known for pro-wrestling shows such as “Monday Night Raw” and “SmackDown” that appeal to primarily young male fans, arguably the core of the horror-movie audience.
WWE says “Temple” is about a team of highly trained operatives who find themselves trapped inside an isolated military compound after its artificial intelligence is suddenly shut down. While investigating the source of the malfunction, the crew begins to experience strange and horrific phenomena as they try to uncover who or what killed the team previously stationed at the compound.
The studio says a director for “Temple” will be announced shortly. Erebus Pictures’ second feature will go into production later this year.
WWE Studios’ most lucrative film has been “The Call,” a 2013 thriller starring Halle Berry, which earned $68 million worldwide.