Based on an original idea by Øvredal, the film follows a group of Norwegian students who set off on a mission to film ‘real' trolls, despite the government's efforts to cover up the news. Filmed with a hand-held camera in a docu-style reminiscent of The Blair Witch Project, the film was produced by John M. Jacobsen and Sveinung Golimo for Filmkameratene, with support from the Norwegian Film Institute. Magnolia Pictures snatched world rights (including the US) outside Europe following the film's screening at Fantastic Fest in Austin, US and last week, veteran producer Jacobsen brokered another distribution deal with UPI for France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Benelux, Switzerland, CIS and the Baltic countries.
Filmkameratene's Max Manus was also an export success, selling to over 40 territories, and in the past, other Scandinavian films with vampires (Let the Right One In) and Zombies (Dead Snow) have captured buyers' interest. But this is the first ever film with trolls from Norse mythology that will reach world screens. "Trolls are recognizable characters for international audiences, which made the concept of The Troll Hunter very attractive for world distributors," said Golimo to Nordiskfilmogtvfond.
This week, the film's producers were continuing heated negotiations with major US players for US remake rights. Meanwhile, Svensk Filmindustri is opening the film today on over 100 Norwegian screens and will release the film later on in other Scandinavian countries.