Dimension Films and IM Global announced today that Dimension has acquired U.S. distribution rights to the horror thriller Pest, directed by Mark Tonderai (House at the End of the Street), from IM Global and Blumhouse Productions. Octane, the genre division of IM Global, a subsidiary of Indian conglomerate Reliance ADA, will fully finance the film which will be produced by Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions (Sinister, Insidious, Paranormal Activity, The Purge) and Sherryl Clark of Busted Shark (Cloverfield). Blumhouse International is overseeing foreign sales. BHI has a worldwide distribution and servicing deal with IM Global. IM Global CEO Stuart Ford, Charles Layton and Matthew Kaplan are executive producers. Pest is based on Barbara Marshall's original screenplay, which appeared on the Black List, the Blood List, and the Hit List in 2012. Discussions are underway for the lead roles with some top talent in consideration.

In Pest, when a deadly virus invades their hometown, a teen documents her family's new life in quarantine and tries to protect her infected sister as society begins to crumble outside.

Here's what Harvey Weinstein had to say about what drew him to the project.

"I was captivated by Marshall's screenplay. There is a complicated family drama amidst a terrifying and tense story of an outbreak that is unleashed. I'm excited to be working with Jason Blum and Stuart Ford again to bring this terrifying thriller to audiences."

IM Global CEO Stuart Ford had this to say.

"We're delighted to continue our long-standing and successful relationship with both Jason and Bob Weinstein. We couldn't ask for two more savvy and prolific partners on a smart, elevated genre piece such as Pest."

Producer Jason Blum released his own statement.

"We are excited to work with Bob, Stuart, Mark and the entire team on bringing Barbara's terrifying world to life."

The deal was negotiated for Dimension Films by David Glasser, COO, The Weinstein Company and Michal Steinberg, EVP Business/Legal Affairs and Acquisitions; on behalf of the film by IM Global's Ford, SVP of Business Affairs Florence Larsonneur and Jason Blum.