Orion Pictures, the distributor of ‘80s and ‘90s independent hits such as “RoboCop,” “The Terminator” and “The Silence of the Lambs,” is making its first theatrical appearance in 15 years.
“The Town That Dreaded Sundown,” a horror pic from “American Horror Story” director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, features the Orion label in a trailer released Wednesday, its first appearance since 1999’s “One Man’s Hero.” Gomez-Rejon’s film follows the recreation of the Texarkana Moonlight Murders after a mysterious killer attempts to remake the events over 60 years later.
Orion Pictures declared bankruptcy in 1991. After exiting bankruptcy in 1996, Orion was bought by MGM, ending its nearly two decade run.
MGM brought back the Orion label as a television brand in 2013, which is currently used on syndicated court show “Paternity Court.” MGM intends to use the venerable indie name Orion as a brand for smaller releases, both domestically and internationally, on VOD and limited theatrical.
““Town” is the second recent production to carry the Orion label, following Brazilian film “Vestido Pra Casar” releasing theatrically later this year. “Town” is also released under the BH Tilt label, a recently-created multiplatform expansion from Blumhouse Productions. MGM does not have any specific future plans for the Orion Pictures name.
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“The Town That Dreaded Sundown” opens in select theaters on Oct. 16. Watch the trailer featuring the Orion Pictures branding below:
