The Mayhem Project is an upstart production/financing company that, logically, will focus on the genre fare, and they've signed contracts for their first two projects. Ronnie Christensen will pen an original thriller called "Sanctuary," and Todd Farmer will write an adpatation of Capcom's "Clock Tower 3" videogame.

Says Variety: "Launched in June, Mayhem hopes to produce two to three features per year, targeting projects based on established franchises such as comicbooks and vidgames; budgets will be $10 million-$30 million.

"Our plans are to commence production for both 'Sanctuary' and 'Clock Tower' in 2006," (chief exec Anthony) Mosawi said. "Being a boutique production and development company, we can cut through a lot of the standard red tape, permitting us to move quickly on acquiring projects followed by a timely move into development and production."

Mayhem says it is backed by two European private equity firms that have given the shingle an overhead arrangement, annual development fund and production financing.

"What makes us unique is that we seek upscale genre films, we take risk upfront, and we intend to make everything we acquire," Luff said.

Farmer's previous credits include "Jason X" and "The Messengers," while Christensen has written "Passengers" and "Smoke.""