“Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer”, a horror comedy by writer/director Jon Knautz (debut) and starring Robert Englund of “Nightmare on Elm Street” fame, has become the first acquisition purchased out of the Slamdance Film Festival this year.

Several distributors were chasing “Jack Brooks” for domestic rights after a successful premiere on the first Saturday night at Slamdance, but it was Anchor Bay Entertainment which ended up with the domestic distribution rights for a mid-six figures deal, with a theatrical commitment.

The film is a nostalgic throwback to the classic 80s horror-comedy creature features with cult film potential.

Trevor Matthews, star and producer of Brookstreet Pictures, said, “Anchor Bay is the perfect home for ‘Jack Brooks.’ Their success on recent films like ‘Hatchet’ makes us feel confident that the film will reach its intended audience. Anchor Bay has been very supportive of our vision and will allow Brookstreet Pictures to be involved with the theatrical marketing and distribution. We see ‘Jack Brooks’ as the beginning of a new franchise.”

After witnessing the brutal murder of his family, Jack Brooks (newcomer Trevor Matthews) is left with an unquenchable fury that he is constantly fighting to control. Now working as a local plumber, one night, Jack attempts to fix Professor Crowley’s (Robert Englund) old, rusted pipes, but instead unknowingly awakens an ancient evil. Jack soon realizes he can’t run from his past, and quickly discovers the true purpose of his inner rage.

Co-written and directed by Jon Knautz (debut), the film stars Trevor Matthews and Robert Englund (“Nightmare on Elm Street”). “Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer” is produced by Trevor Matthews and Patrick White of Brookstreet Pictures; Neil Bregman of Sound Venture Productions. Co-writing credit goes to John Ainslie. Foreign rights are being handled by Patrick Ewald of Epic Pictures.

Further information about the film is available here.