Oh glorious news! It seems like director Juan Antonio Bayonna (The Orphanage) has been tapped to direct ‘Hater’ for Universal. Why am I so excited? Because, after Guillermo del Toro, Bayonna is one of the up-and-coming directors to watch. The Orphanage was a masterpiece, and almost as powerful as Pan’s Labyrinth on a much smaller scale. And, the good news doesn’t stop there. Read on for more.

 

Bayona, who will make his English-language debut with “Hater,” reunites with Guillermo del Toro, who is producing the film with Mark Johnson.

Del Toro produced “The Orphanage,” which was made in Bayona’s home country of Spain on a modest budget and grossed more than $76 million worldwide.

“Hater” landed at Universal under del Toro’s first-look deal there. Mazzara, a writer on “The Shield,” was set at that time. Del Toro was originally approached by Johnson to direct, but his schedule on two installments of “The Hobbit” made that impossible. The producers then turned to Bayona.

 

With those two running the ship I’m super-excited. But, I need to remember that this is a studio film, and for all his mastery of story, suspense, and camerawork…Universal may still get their grubby little hands on it and mess with the film (As you can see I have no faith in the system).

More news as it comes. Filming is set to start next year.