Canal Street bites on 'Maneater'

Michael Emanuel co-wrote the script, will direct

By Jay A. Fernandez

July 18, 2008, 12:00 AM ET

Actor-producer Michael Emanuel is in preproduction on the thriller "Maneater."

Emanuel, a film and TV actor who has appeared on "ER" and "The Nine," co-wrote the script with John K. Anderson and will make the film his directorial debut. Eric Lewald ("Trollz") is executive producing.

"Maneater" tells the story of an FBI profiler-turned-small-town sheriff who begins investigating a series of mysterious murders only to discover that the monster he's profiling might be himself.

"It's a story that was told to me by an old Native American back in the late '70s," Emanuel said. "It's based on the Western Ojibwa (Chippewa) legend of the Windigo."

"Maneater" is the second in a slate of 10 movies that Emanuel's Canal Street Films is producing with independent financing. It begins shooting July 30 around Los Angeles, though the producers are still casting the leads.

Emanuel, who is repped by AKA, most recently produced the horror film "The Uninvited," which is wrapped and out to distributors.

Canal Street bites on 'Maneater'

Michael Emanuel co-wrote the script, will direct

By Jay A. Fernandez

July 18, 2008, 12:00 AM ET