WWE Studios announced today they have acquired distribution rights to the indie thriller The Day. We also have five character posters from The Day, which feature the main characters Shawn Ashmore, Ashley Bell, Cory Hardrict, Dominic Monaghan, and Shannyn Sossamon. You can read the full press release below the character posters.







WWE Studios announced today it has acquired all US distribution rights to the Toronto International Film Festival cult hit The Day, Douglas Aarniokoski's visceral action thriller. The film screened to sold-out crowds in the Midnight Madness section of the Festival. WWE will use its television, digital/social media and print assets, which reach more than 20 million people domestically each week, to help market the release of film.

"The Day is a renegade thrill-ride that will not disappoint audiences," said newly named WWE Studios President, Michael Luisi. "We went to Toronto looking for films to showcase and expand the WWE Studios brand and found exactly that with Doug's exceptional film," added Luisi.

"The Day has been a wild ride from start to finish and we are very excited that we have found the right home to get the film out to the fans in a big way. We could not be happier to be in business with WWE Studios," said director Aarniokoski.

Aarniokoski is currently directing the Lionsgate film Nurse 3D. The Day is a nightmarish 24 hour look into the lives of a band of survivors fighting to stay alive in a post-apocalyptic world.

The Day stars Shawn Ashmore (X-Men Trilogy), Ashley Bell (The Last Exorcism), Michael Eklund (Watchmen, 88 Minutes), Cory Hardrict (Battle: Los Angeles, Gran Torino), Dominic Monaghan (Lost, The Lord of the Rings trilogy), and Shannyn Sossamon (A Knight's Tale, Road to Nowhere). The film features music by Rock Mafia.

The film was written by Luke Passmore and produced by Guy Danella. Douglas Aarniokoski, Michael Finley, Tim James, Antonina Armato and Ross M. Dinerstein served as executive producers.

Kevin Iwashina of Preferred Content handled the sale to WWE Studios. Luisi and VP of Business and Legal Affairs, Bradley Buchanan, negotiated on behalf of WWE Studios, which beat out a number of other bidders for the film.

The Day comes to theaters August 17th, 2012 and stars Shawn Ashmore, Ashley Bell, Michael Eklund, Cory Hardrict, Dominic Monaghan, Shannyn Sossamon, Brianna Barnes, Kassidy Verreault. The film is directed by Douglas Aarniokoski.