Stuart Manashil brokered deal joins Image Nation Abu Dhabi with U.S. producers in multi-year deal to produce horror films

A deal negotiated by Hollywood power-manager Stuart Manashil creates a new multi-year pact between Roy Lee (“The Ring”) and Steven Schneider (“Paranormal Activity) to co-produce horror films with Image Nation Abu Dhabi for international distribution.

First reported by VARIETY, the deal calls for the creation of at least one English-language film with franchise opportunities and will be completely financed by Image Nation.

The deal reunites Schneider with Image Nation. They worked together on Ali F. Mostafa’s dystopian thriller, THE WORTHY, set for worldwide release this month by Netflix.  Schneider produced THE WORTHY along with Peter Safran and Rami Yasin.

Lee and Schneider each have a long and successful track record in the dark genre business, having helped launch such hit franchises as THE RING, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS and THE GRUDGE.  Together they will draw on their considerable relationships with many of the biggest and most exciting names in the space, including filmmakers, international producers and other content providers.z

Image Nation has also produced some of the region’s most successful genre pictures, including DJINN, Majid Al Ansari’s debut feature RATTLE THE CAGE (ZINZANA) and the previously mentioned THE WORTHY, the first acquisition in the United Arab Emirates by Netflix.

“I first worked with the team at Image Nation Abu Dhabi on The Worthy, and found it to be a very gratifying experience,” Schneider says. “They are incredibly supportive of the filmmaker’s vision and a great producing partner. I look forward to expanding my relationship with them.”

“I am impressed with the way Image Nation has approached the genre space,” Lee says. “Steven and I are excited to work with them in creating globally appealing movies and franchises and pushing the bounds of the genre.”

The deal, brokered by Stuart Manashil who recent left WME after three years (and CAA and UTA before that) to set up his own management firm, says the deal is a consummate win-win.

“It was a great deal that unites people that have not only worked together but did so successfully,” says Manashil.

Says Ben Ross, head of narrative film and television at Image Nation Abu Dhabi: “Steven Schneider and Roy Lee are very well-respected producers in Hollywood with an enviable track record in both the United States and internationally, having produced such record-breaking hits as this year’s Split, Paranormal Activity, The Grudge and the upcoming It.”