Tobe Hooper to Direct Arabian Horror Movie 'Djinn'

LONDON -- Tobe Hooper is tasked with directorial duties on Arabian horror movie Djinn, penned by U.S. writer David Tully and backed by Imagenation Abu Dhabi.

Hooper, whose resume scares up mentions for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Poltergeist, will take up the reins on the haunted house thriller, with shooting scheduled to begin in the United Arab Emirates in March.

Ittells the story of a young Emirati couple who return home from the U.S. and discover that their new apartment in a luxury high-rise built on the site of an abandoned fishing village is also home to malevolent beings known as Djinn.

Emirati director Nayla Al Khaja will work as a cultural consultant and shadow Hooper on the set and train with him in preparation to helm her first feature length horror film.

Hooper said: "Simply put, this movie will scare everyone, no matter where you live or what you believe in."

Hooper is repped by Gersh and Prolific while Howard Abramson of Behr Abramson negotiated the deal on his behalf. Wendy Heller negotiated on behalf of Imagenation Abu Dhabi.