It

Zombie's "Corpses" lives at Lions Gate

By Cathy Dunkley

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Undeterred by its gore factor, Lions Gate Films has picked up distribution rights to writer-director Rob Zombie's controversial horror picture "House of 1000 Corpses," and will release it in the first quarter of 2003.

The film was originally slated for release in summer 2001 via Universal, but studio executives were so horrified after viewing a rough cut that the rock star had to buy it back.

MGM was at one time in line to pick up title after cuts, removing some of the blood and murder, had given the previously unrated picture an R rating. Zombie let slip that negotiations were under way with MGM while interviewing Ben Affleck for MTV's "Movie House" show and made some joking comments about the film. A few days later, MGM backed away from the deal.

The best part of the story came at the end, though, since I was curious which version we were getting... the one that evidently made Stacy Snider cry, or the one that MGM manhandled.

"With 'House of 1000 Corpses,' Rob Zombie has created an in-your-face, unrelenting horror film experience," said Tom Ortenberg, president of Lions Gate Films Releasing. "We are really looking forward to working with Rob and having a lot of fun with this campaign."

Canadian-based Lions Gate purchased both the R and unrated versions. The domestic theatrical release will be rated R. The unrated version will go out for homevideo/DVD. Internationally, both versions will be released theatrically.

You know what? As long as we see it at some point, I can live with that. Zombie’s going to finally get his movie in front of viewers, and good or bad, that’s a victory.

Congrats, Rob, and thanks, Lions Gate.

"Moriarty" out.