Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sony Pictures Entertainment has signed a two-picture distribution deal with Ghost House Pictures to release "The Grudge 2" as well as the English-language debut film from the Pang brothers.

The agreement comes on the heels of a number of successful collaborations between the two partners, including the release of last year’s "The Grudge" and the recent "Boogeyman."

Columbia Pictures execs Matt Tolmach, Doug Belgrad and Shannon Gaulding will work with the Ghost House team to develop "The Grudge 2." Sarah Michelle Gellar, who starred in the first film, has not yet committed to the sequel.

Director Takashi Shimizu, the creative force behind the "Grudge"/"Ju-On" franchise, is back at the helm, and will reteam with writer Stephen Susco; producers Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert and Taka Ichise; and executive producers Roy Lee and Doug Davison. Principal photography is slated to begin this year for an anticipated Halloween 2006 release.