Chase Infiniti to Star in Dylan Clark's 'Portrait of God' at Lionsgate

Lionsgate has acquired the rights to "Portrait of God" and greenlit the feature for production, with Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Chase Infiniti attached to star and Sam Raimi and Jordan Peele producing, the studio announced.

Dylan Clark, the up-and-coming horror filmmaker Lionsgate tapped to make his feature directorial debut on the forthcoming untitled "Blair Witch" movie, will direct. Joe Russo, who co-wrote the screenplay with Clark, will also produce.

"We're delighted to deepen our creative partnership with Dylan Clark, whose remarkable talent and distinctive perspective make him one of the most exciting emerging voices in horror," said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson.

Fogelson added: "With Sam and Jordan, two of the genre's most influential producers, the extraordinary Chase Infiniti starring, and Dylan at the helm, this is an exceptional creative team. We believe they have all the ingredients for a film that is haunting, thought-provoking, and scary as hell."

The project marks the first collaboration between Raimi and Peele, two of horror's leading filmmakers. It also extends Raimi's relationship with Lionsgate, which is backing "Magic," the next film he will direct.

Raimi and Rob Tapert will produce through their Ghost House banner. Peele and Win Rosenfeld will produce via Monkeypaw Productions. Romel Adam and Jose Cañas will oversee the project for Ghost House. Chris Rosati will executive produce on behalf of Monkeypaw through his first-look deal at his shingle NAT20 Films. Scott O'Brien will oversee the project for the studio, and Dan Freedman negotiated the deals on Lionsgate's behalf.

The announcement comes as Clark prepares his "Blair Witch" reboot for theatrical release next September.

"With 'Blair Witch,' I'm experiencing firsthand the trust Lionsgate places in its filmmakers, and I couldn't be happier that 'Portrait of God' has found a home there as well," Clark said. "I'm also thrilled to welcome Chase Infiniti to our team. She blew me away in 'One Battle After Another' and is one of the most exciting young actors working today."

Infiniti's credits include "One Battle After Another" and "The Testaments." Clark is represented by UTA, 3 Arts and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis; Infiniti by Gersh, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and the Lede Company. The Hollywood Reporter first reported news of the developing project.

With two of horror's most bankable producer-brands now aligned on a single title, "Portrait of God" becomes a test of whether Lionsgate's filmmaker-first model — already powering the "Blair Witch" reboot due in theaters next September — can mint a new horror franchise from an untested feature director.