Universal and Syfy team for new film production arm

Universal Pictures and Syfy have launched the genre shingle Syfy Films, in order to develop projects for theatrical release, Variety reports. The new company will tap into Syfy’s experience in genre fare to develop and produce movies set in the worlds of science fiction, fantasy, horror and the supernatural. The goal is to release two films annually beginning in 2012.

Syfy’s Mark Stern and Universal Pictures’ co-chair Donna Langley will oversee the new production company, with Universal distributing and handling marketing. Syfy will promote the projects on its platforms, most notably on TV and online.

SyFy president Dave Howe observed that while the film industry has seen low budget horror films, including the Saw series of movies, increase over the past few years, science fiction and fantasy audiences have been comparatively underserved by studio genre divisions.

“We believe that there’s a gap in the market for these lower-budget science fiction and fantasy movies,” Howe said. “And if you look at Pan’s Labyrinth or District 9 or Pitch Black, they’ve been very successful financially.”

The budgets for Syfy Films’ productions are expected to range between $5 and $25 million.

Syfy’s more popular shows, such as Eureka, may also get the bigscreen treatment, and Universal has already been developing a feature adaptation of Syfy’s Battlestar Galactica. Projects that move from big to small-screen to small as well.

Syfy and Universal are seeking a production executive who’ll work closely with their creative teams in developing projects that fit the brand.