May 15, 2008 Joe Dante, fresh from directing the two best episodes of "Masters of Horror" ("Homecoming" and "Screwfly Solution") is set to direct "Bat Out of Hell," which is being written by MOH scribes Drew McWeeny and Scott Swan. I thought John Carpenter was going to work with these guys, but it looks like they are teaming up with another '80s directing icon.

As Variety reported today:

Veteran director Joe Dante will helm indie horror project "Bat Out of Hell" for Parallel Zide and VooDoo Prods.

Project's produced by Warren Zide, Jerry Daigle, Michael Arata and Ray Markovich; Craig Titley exec produces. Shooting is expected to begin later this year.

"Bat Out of Hell," written by Drew McWeeny and Scott Swan, centers on a red-eye flight from L.A. to New York during which hijackers confront the monstrous cargo.

Dante's credits include "Piranha," both "Gremlins" pics, "Small Soldiers" and the "Masters of Horror" TV series. McWeeny's also worked on "Masters of Horror," spent 12 years at online site Ain't It Cool News and has teamed with Swan on "Dread," "Mortal Kombat: Devastation" and a remake of "Race With the Devil."

Zide, producer of the "American Pie" and "Final Destination" franchises, is partnering with Parallel Media in a $70 million production financing deal covering eight films.


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