According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lions Gate Films has snapped up North American rights and plans a wide release for Skinwalkers, a contemporary werewolf action-thriller to be directed by James Isaac.

The deal, Lions Gates' first with German production funding and distribution entity Constantin Film was announced Thursday by Lions Gate International president Nick Meyer and Lions Gate Films Releasing president Tom Ortenberg.

The title further consolidates Lions Gate's push into the horror genre following Open Water, House of 1000 CorpsesCabin Fever and the upcoming Saw 2 and the Corpses sequel, The Devil's Rejects.

Skinwalkers, about a 12-year-old boy who suddenly finds himself at the center of a battle between two warring groups of werewolves, will begin production in early fall and is slated for a wide North American release next year.