The American distribution rights to the Cuban zombie film ‘Juan of the Dead’ have been picked up by Focus Features, SlashFilm is reporting. The studio’s digital distribution branch, Focus World, will premiere the movie through VOD and electronic sell-thru platforms, such as cable/satellite providers, iTunes, Xbox 360 and Playstation. The movie’s theatrical distribution rights are still available to be picked up by another studio. Focus World has not yet confirmed a digital release date for ‘Juan of the Dead,’ which opened at the 2011 Toronto Film Festival to positive reviews. The movie follows an unemployed father who discovers he can earn money by killing zombies during an outbreak of the…

Focus Features and Laika, the companies behind the Academy Award nominated stop-motion animated feature “Coraline”, are re-teaming for Laika’s next two projects, “ParaNorman”, and one yet-to-be named project. Like with “Coraline”, Focus Features will hold worldwide distribution rights to the movies, and Universal Pictures International will release them overseas, according to the press release. “ParaNorman”, which is currently in production, is being directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler, from Butler’s original screenplay. The official synopsis is as follows: In the comedy thriller, a small town comes under siege by zombies. Who can it call? Only misunderstood local boy Norman (voiced by [Kodi Smit-McPhee, "Let Me In"]), who is able…

If there’s another young actress you should be watching, it has to be Olivia Thirlby. She’s been popping up in all sorts of different feature films left and right, even recently with “Solitary Man” to “No Strings Attached.” The young actress has landed herself a nice new main role in the now-titled “Another Bullshit Night In Suck City” perched over at Focus Features. Thirbly will be sharing the big screen alongside Robert De Niro and Paul Dano. The story is based off the memoir written by Nick Flynn. Paul Weitz will not only be directing the production but will be adapting “Suck City” for the big screen. Weitz’s previous written…

Focus Features released this new movie poster for the upcoming film “The American” by director Anton Corbijn and starring George Clooney (The Descendants, Fantastic Mr. Fox), Irina Bjorklund (Priest of Evil) and Lars Hjelm. Synopsis: Alone among assassins, Jack is a master craftsman. When a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, he vows to his contact Larry that his next assignment will be his last. Jack reports to the Italian countryside, where he holes up in a small town and relishes being away from death for a spell. The assignment, as specified by a Belgian woman, Mathilde, is in the offing as a weapon…

Scott Rudin Productions and Focus Features just released another new feautrette with actor Ben Stiller for the upcoming comedy “Greenberg” by director Noah Baumbach (Margot at the Wedding) and starring Ben Stiller (Meet the Fockers), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Weeds, Road to Perdition), Chris Messina (Julie & Julia), Juno Temple and Rhys Ifans (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I). Synopsis: A New Yorker moves to Los Angeles in order to figure out his life while he house sits for his brother, and he soon sparks with his brother’s assistant. Stay tuned to Shockya.com for the latest movie news and more from “Greenberg” and Ben Stiller.

Scott Rudin Productions and Focus Features just released this new behind the scenes feautrette for the upcoming comedy “Greenberg” by director Noah Baumbach (Margot at the Wedding) and starring Ben Stiller (Meet the Fockers), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Weeds, Road to Perdition), Chris Messina (Julie & Julia), Juno Temple and Rhys Ifans (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I). Synopsis: A New Yorker moves to Los Angeles in order to figure out his life while he house sits for his brother, and he soon sparks with his brother’s assistant. Stay tuned to Shockya.com for the latest movie news and more from “Greenberg” and Ben Stiller.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Keir Gilchrist has been cast as the lead in “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” from Focus Features and writer-directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Gilchrist joins Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts, Viola Davis, Jim Gaffigan, Zoe Kravitz, Aasif Mandavi, and Lauren Graham. “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” is a coming-of-age comedy-drama adaptation of Ned Vizzini’s 2006 novel about a 16-year old who checks himself into a mental health clinic to deal with stress. He ends up stuck in the adult ward after finding out that right before he got there, the youth ward closed. Shooting begins in New York in December 2010. Stay tuned…

Focus Features just released this brand new movie clip “Shoes” from the upcoming film “Thirst” by directed by award-winning auteur, Park Chan-wook (Oldboy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance) and starring Kang-ho Song and Ok-vin Kim. Synopsis: A priest becomes a vampire…another man’s wife is coveted…a deadly seduction triggers murder. Thirst is the new film from director Park Chan-wook (Old Boy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance). Already a boxoffice smash in Korea, Thirst was honored with the Prix du Jury [Jury Prize] at the 2009 Cannes International Film Festival. Continuing his explorations of human existence in extreme circumstances, the director spins a tale that he conceived and then developed…

Focus Features recently released the new clip “Vampires Are Cuter Than I Thought” from the upcoming film “Thirst” by directed by award-winning auteur, Park Chan-wook (Oldboy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance) and starring Kang-ho Song and Ok-vin Kim. Synopsis: A priest becomes a vampire…another man’s wife is coveted…a deadly seduction triggers murder. Thirst is the new film from director Park Chan-wook (Old Boy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance). Already a boxoffice smash in Korea, Thirst was honored with the Prix du Jury [Jury Prize] at the 2009 Cannes International Film Festival. Continuing his explorations of human existence in extreme circumstances, the director spins a tale that he conceived…

Focus Features just sent us this brand new movie clip “I’m Not Catholic” from the upcoming film “Thirst” by directed by award-winning auteur, Park Chan-wook (Oldboy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance) and starring Kang-ho Song and Ok-vin Kim. Synopsis: A priest becomes a vampire…another man’s wife is coveted…a deadly seduction triggers murder. Thirst is the new film from director Park Chan-wook (Old Boy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance). Already a boxoffice smash in Korea, Thirst was honored with the Prix du Jury [Jury Prize] at the 2009 Cannes International Film Festival. Continuing his explorations of human existence in extreme circumstances, the director spins a tale that he conceived…