Paramount Renews Deal With Walter Hamada’s 18Hz Productions, Debuts Trailer for Killer Chimp Thriller ‘Primate’

Paramount Pictures has renewed its exclusive, multi-year production deal with veteran film executive Walter Hamada’s 18Hz Productions.

Under the deal, Hamada, whose producing credits include “The Conjuring” franchise, “It” and “The Batman,” will continue to focus on the horror genre, delivering multiple low-to-mid-budget films annually for the studio.

News of the renewal comes as Paramount launches the trailer for 18Hz Productions’ upcoming horror film “Primate.” The movie — directed by Johannes Roberts and starring Johnny Sequoyah, Jessica Alexander and Troy Kotsur — follows as a group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of horror and survival when the family’s adopted chimp abruptly turns homicidal.

“Primate” made its world premiere as the opening night screening at Fantastic Fest last month and the film — which also features Victoria Wyant, Gia Hunter, Benjamin Cheng, Charlie Mann and Tienne Simon — will be released in theaters on Jan. 9.

Roberts directs from…