Renowned filmmaker Roger Corman's reboot of 'Deathstalker' secures distribution deals in key regions ahead of its world premiere at Locarno Film Festival, exclusively reported.
The highly anticipated action-packed film, Deathstalker, directed by Steven Kostanski, is set to grace the big screens across North America on October 10, 2025. Raven Banner Entertainment, responsible for worldwide sales and Canadian distribution, will release the film day-and-date with the U.S. market[1][2][3].
The film, produced by Pasha Patriki of Hangar 18 Media and Raven Banner's Michael Paszt, Andrew Thomas Hunt, and James Fler, is a reimagining of the Roger Corman-inspired sword-and-sorcery classic. Known for his grizzled portrayal, Daniel Bernhardt stars as the titular hero[1][2][3].
The film will premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland on August 15, 2025, before its wider release[1][2]. Shout! Studios, the multi-territory rights holder, plans a strategic launch across major platforms, starting with the U.S. theatrical release later this year after the festival run[1][3].
The film features the Kingdom of Abraxeon under siege from the Dreadites, a new army of blood-red, spiky-fleshed warriors with skeletal heads. The Dreadites are attempting to resurrect the long-dead sorcerer Nekromemnon, which would lead to Abraxeon's annihilation.
Kostanski's direction is marked by the use of practical effects and stop-motion animation, with creature suits, prosthetic FX make-up, and stop-motion animation courtesy of Kostanski's Action Pants FX shop[1][2]. Patton Oswalt provides the voice of Doodad, a benevolent wizened wizard, in the film.
The rights for Deathstalker have been acquired by several international distributors. Shout! Studios has acquired the English-language territories, while German-speaking Europe, Japan, and Lighthouse Home Entertainment in Hamburg have also purchased the rights[1][2][4]. Klockworx, a Tokyo-based company, has also acquired the rights for the film.
David Marsh of Lighthouse Home Entertainment stated that Deathstalker is unique in the marketplace[4]. Guns N' Roses' Slash and Rodrigo Gudino serve as executive producers under the BerserkerGang label. The film's practical effects include a fanged harpy-faced drone, a two-headed troll, a stone robot, man-eating snakes, and a PigMan sourced from the original[1].
In the opening scenes, Bernhardt's body count of Dreadites heads to double digits in the first five minutes, making the action scenes in the film credible[1]. The new Deathstalker promises to deliver a thrilling adventure for audiences.
[1] - Variety [2] - Deadline Hollywood [3] - The Hollywood Reporter [4] - Screen Daily
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