Eli Roth's Ice Cream Man to open Aug 7 in 2,000 US theaters

A new horror film from director Eli Roth, "Ice Cream Man," is set for a wide theatrical release on August 7. The film will open in approximately 2,000 venues across North America.

The story follows a seemingly idyllic summer town plunged into chaos after a mysterious ice cream man, played by Ari Millen, distributes frozen treats that transform children into violent killers. The children, now under the ice cream man's influence, turn on the adults in their community. Promotional material depicts disturbing scenes, including children looming over sleeping parents, creating snow angels in blood, and attacking a restrained woman with an axe.

Roth, known for graphic horror films like "Hostel" and "Cabin Fever," also produced the project and co-wrote the screenplay with longtime collaborator Noah Belson. The film features an ensemble cast including Benjamin Byron Davis, Karen Cliche, Dylan Hawco, Sarah Abbott, and Shiloh O'Reilly.

"I've had this idea for a long, long time, and studios were too afraid of my early drafts," Roth said in a statement. "Now's the time to push the envelope farther than I ever have with what I think will be my most terrifying and insane film to date."