Starring Daniel Radcliffe in the lead, The Woman in Black has been one of the biggest British films of the year, turning its $15m. budget into north of $130m. around the globe in the spring.

Hammer Films have now announced that the BAFTA-nominated director, Tom Harper (Misfits, This is England ’86), will helm the upcoming sequel, The Woman in Black: Angel of Death.

Jon Croker, who penned the forthcoming Desert Dancer, starring Freida Pinto, has written the script, based on an original story by Susan Hill, the author of The Woman in Black.

“The Woman in Black: Angel Of Death will continue the story four decades later. Seized by the government during World War II, the sudden arrival of a group of evacuated children at Eel Marsh House awakens its darkest inhabitant.”

Harper was nominated for a BAFTA back in 2007 for his short film, Cubs, and has been making a name for himself since, making his feature debut with The Scouting Book for Boys, and returning to the small screen for This is England ’86 and Misfits, two of the most popular programmes in the UK.

No word yet on when production will get underway, but given the monumental success of the original, the highest-grossing British horror film in two decades, it will be interesting to see whether the series goes next. More as we get it.

London – 12 October 2012: BAFTA nominated director Tom Harper (The Scouting Book for Boys, Channel 4’s “Misfits”) has signed on to direct The Woman in Black: Angel of Death, the next installment in the series of the worldwide box office hit The Woman In Black. The announcement was made today by Simon Oakes, President & CEO of Hammer and Vice-Chairman of Exclusive Media, Guy East and Nigel Sinclair, Co-Chairmen of Exclusive Media (Hammer’s parent company), Brian Oliver, President of Cross Creek Pictures and Xavier Marchand Alliance Films’ President of Worldwide Distribution.

The Woman in Black: Angel Of Deathwill be brought to the big screen by the same production team behind The Woman In Black. The film will be produced by ExclusiveMedia, Talisman, Cross Creek Pictures and Alliance Films, in addition to Roy Lee who will serve as Executive Producer.

Screenwriter Jon Croker (Desert Dancer) wrote the screenplay, based on an original story by Susan Hill (The Woman in Black).

Alliance Films will co-finance the film. Tobin Armbrust, Exclusive Media’s President of Worldwide Production and Acquisitions, will again oversee production. Sales are being handled by Alex Walton, Exclusive Media’s President of International Sales and Distribution. Alliance Films will once again distribute in the UK (Momentum Pictures), Spain (Aurum Producciones) and Canada (AllianceFilms).

The Woman in Black: Angel Of Death will continue the story four decades later. Seized by the government during World War II, the sudden arrival of a group of evacuated children at Eel Marsh House awakens its darkest inhabitant.

Simon Oakes, Vice-Chairman of Exclusive Media and President & CEO of Hammer Films said: “We are assembling a terrific team to bring The Woman in Black: Angel of Deathto the big screen and Tom is a great addition to that family. His unique visual approach and storytelling style perfectly compliments the smart, sophisticated horror movies that Hammer is championing.”

Xavier Marchand Alliance Films’ President of Worldwide Distribution and Managing Director of UK distributor Momentum Pictures, said “We know audiences in the UK and across the world love being terrified by The Woman in Black so we’re excited to be partners in bringing them the next episode of Susan Hill’s haunting story, under Tom’s expert direction.”

Director Tom Harper said, “I am thrilled to be a part of The Woman in Black: Angel of Death. This will be a great opportunity for me to collaborate with a brilliantly talented team on the next installment in this exciting series.”

The Woman in Black, starring Daniel Radcliffe and directed by James Watkins (Eden Lake) has become the highest grossing British horror film of the past 20 years, grossing over $35 millionin the UK and over $130 worldwide.

Tom Harper is repped by Josh Varney at Independent Talent Group in the UK and by WME in the US.