Del Toro's "Labyrinth" Set For US Release

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Picturehouse has acquired the North American rights to Guillermo del Toro's fairy tale film "Pan's Labyrinth." A fall release is anticipated.

Set against the fascist regime in rural Spain, the film stars Ivana Baquero ("Fragile") as a 12-year-old girl, Ofelia, who moves with her mother and stepfather into a new home in the countryside where she discovers a fantasy world with an immense labyrinth ruled by a mythical creature named Pan. The cast also includes Doug Jones ("Hellboy"), Mirabel Verdu ("Y Tu Mama Tambien") and Sergi Lopez ("Dirty Pretty Things").

"This is a stunning film both in its visuals and narrative," Picturehouse president Bob Berney said. "Guillermo is a master filmmaker and the ultimate film fan as well."

"Pan's Labyrinth" (aka "El Laberinto del Fauno") is produced, written and directed by the Mexico-born del Toro whose most recent film was the horror-fantasy pic "Hellboy." He has also helmed "Blade 2," "Mimic," "Cronos" and "The Devil's Backbone." "Hellboy" fans will get another dose of the big red "ape," played by Ron Perlman with "Hellboy 2: The Golden Army," currently slated for release in June of 2007. It's also written and directed by del Toro.

I wonder if there'll be an older, bearded, grey-haired mentor-type in "Labyrinth." There always seems to be at least one in each of del Toro's films. Not that it's a bad thing. Just something that makes me go "hmmmm" - and want to learn more about him. --Shannon Nolley

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