Focus Features To Release THE FOREST January 8, 2016 – Stars Natalie Dormer

THE FOREST, the supernatural thriller starring Natalie Dormer and Taylor Kinney which will be directed by Jason Zada based on an original idea by David S. Goyer, will commences principal photography today in Tokyo, Japan and in the environs surrounding the legendary Aokigahara forest at the base of Mt. Fuji.

Additionally, AI Film joins the Lava Bear Films project as a co-financier and co-producer, with Focus Features releasing the film nationwide on January 8, 2016.

THE FOREST, which is set in the Aokigahara forest at the base of Mt. Fuji, tells the story of a young American woman who goes in search of her twin sister, who has mysteriously disappeared. Despite everyone’s warnings to “stay on the path,” Sara enters the forest determined to discover the truth about her sister’s fate, only to be confronted by the angry and tormented souls of the dead who prey on anyone who wanders into the forest.

Good Universe continues international sales on the project at this year’s Cannes market. Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions previously acquired rights in multiple overseas territories including Australia, Spain, Eastern Europe and all of Asia outside of Japan.

Sarah Cornwell and Nick Antosca wrote the script of THE FOREST which is produced by Lava Bear Films and Goyer, under his Phantom Four banner. Len Blavatnik, , Aviv Giladi and Lawrence Bender will serve as executive producers for AI Film. Tory Metzger, President of Lava Bear, is overseeing the production.

“We are proud to see this film going into production and fortunate to have AI Film join us on the film,” said Lava Bear head David Linde. “The team both in front of and behind the camera promises to deliver a well-crafted thriller designed to engage audiences all over the world.”

In addition to THE FOREST, Lava Bear is currently in pre-production on STORY OF YOUR LIFE, which will be directed by directed Denis Villeneuve, star two-time Academy Award nominee Jeremy Renner and Oscar nominee Amy Adams, and be distributed by Paramount Pictures in the US; and in post-production on SHUT IN with EuropaCorp distributing worldwide and starring Naomi Watts as well as on Jonás Cuarón’s DESIERTO with Esperanto Kino and Itaca Films. Lava Bear’s development slate includes David Michod’s THE KING at Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures’ MAMA 2 with Guillermo del Toro producing, among many others.