Directors Juan Antonio Bayona and Guillermo del Toro showing The Orphanage(2007).
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Orphanage Director Bayona Takes on HATER

Universal has tapped The Orphanage helmer Juan Antonio Bayona to direct Hater, reports Variety.  Bayona, who will make his English-language debut with the film,  reunites with Guillermo del Toro, who is producing the film with Mark Johnson. Their previous effort grossed more than $76 million worldwide.

"Hater" landed at Universal under del Toro's first-look deal there. Mazzara, a writer on "The Shield," was set at that time. Del Toro was originally approached by Johnson to direct, but his schedule on two installments of "The Hobbit" made that impossible. The producers then turned to Bayona.

"I like the idea of a movie that talks about the state of fear we live in nowadays," Bayona told Daily Variety.
More than one option

The film is set in the U.S., and while exteriors will be shot locally when the film gets under way next year, Johnson hopes to shoot the interiors in Spain.

Plot Concept: Based on British author David Moody's thriller novel about an epidemic of violence perpetrated by ordinary people.