1492 ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES FILM RIGHTS TO BEN TEMPLESMITH’S GRAPHIC NOVEL WELCOME TO HOXFORD FROM

IDW PUBLISHING

(San Diego, March 5, 2009) -- Chris Columbus’ 1492 Entertainment has optioned the motion picture rights to Ben Templesmith’s graphic novel Welcome To Hoxford from IDW Publishing. Columbus will produce with 1492 partners Michael Barnathan and Mark Radcliffe. Michelle Miller brought the project into 1492. Templesmith is the co-creator of 30 Days of Night (with writer Steve Niles), upon which the film was based. His credits include the critically-acclaimed serial Wormwood Gentleman Corpse and Singularity 7.

When a deeply disturbed and violent inmate is transferred to a privately run mental prison called Hoxford, his psychiatrist discovers that the worst of the worst inmates are being transferred into the facility but never out. After trying to see her patient, the doctor find herself trapped in the prison, so she and the inmate must fight for survival … together … against the werewolves … that run the facility. Welcome to Hoxford.

“I actually owe the entire book to an idea I had after receiving a letter about some previous work being banned from a prison,” said Templesmith. “It turned into one of the darker things I’ve ever done, with a few sick twists. It’s really been quite fantastic that Chris Columbus has thought Hoxford worthy enough to perhaps burst from the comic page to the screen.”

IDW president Ted Adams says “We are thrilled to be in business with Chris Columbus and his company. We know these talented filmmakers will do justice to Ben’s singular vision.”

CAA represents both Columbus and IDW Publishing. Columbus’ attorney is Walter Teller. In addition to CAA, IDW was repped by Circle of Confusion and attorney Darren Trattner.

About IDW Publishing

IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. As a leader in the horror, action, and sci-fi genres, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry including: television's #1 prime time series CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Paramount's Star Trek; Fox's Angel; Hasbro's The Transformers, and the BBC's Doctor Who. IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. In April 2008, IDW released Michael Recycle, the first title from its new children’s book imprint, Worthwhile Books. More information about the company can be found at http://www.idwpublishing.com.