VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 28, 2024 / AB Films is excited to announce that its latest project, Death Rumble, has officially been picked up by The CW for their AVOD streaming platform. This incredible opportunity is not just a milestone for the film but also for AB Films as a growing independent production company dedicated to creating entertaining and engaging stories that resonate with audiences of all ages.
Death Rumble was born out of a creative collaboration with Green Apple Entertainment, which sought to build a diverse catalog of original films. "Tim Warren (GAE Owner) approached me and shared that he wanted to start building up their catalog with original movies. He asked if I'd be interested in making a couple of films for them, specifically one titled Redirect. The story itself would fall under the horror genre. Horror movies aren't our thing, but I did have a good friend and colleague who has made a number of these movies," said Bryce McLaughlin, founder of AB Films, "I knew if I was going to make a movie in this genre and feel good about doing so, I would have to tailor the story and make the movie for a specific audience and aim for a PG-13 rating. I believe this age group is the most underserved demographic in our market today."
Working alongside long-time friend and collaborator Rusty Nixon, who served as the writer and director, McLaughlin and Nixon turned an initial concept for a traditional horror film into something truly unique. They engaged with Scotty Mac, a long-time friend of Nixon's and a Professional Wrestler in the local Western Canadian circuit. The story revolves around a group of six wrestlers whose van is redirected into a small commune, making them the unexpected stars of a bizarre local event. "I wanted to move away from the cliché college students getting caught in a horror scenario. We thought, how about we have wrestlers in the spotlight?" McLaughlin explained.
The film was shot in 2021, with AB Films delivering the project to Green Apple Entertainment for post-production. Initially intended for film festivals, the team faced challenges in securing distribution due to industry dynamics. "We were waiting for the right moment," McLaughlin explained. "It's a long process, especially for independent filmmakers."
McLaughlin believes that Death Rumble ultimately landed on The CW due to its alignment with the network's target audience-young viewers who crave engaging, relatable content. McLaughlin, who has worked on numerous CW shows, noted, "I know who they are making their programs for, and I believe this demographic is hungry for movies that connect with them."