Lionsgate is working with MGM Studios to distribute Joss Whedon's highly anticipated horror flick "The Cabin in the Woods," according to Deadline.

MGM had intended to open the film Jan. 14 after aborting its other release dates of Oct. 23, 2009 and Feb. 5, 2010. However, the studio was forced to juggle the finances for a number of projects, which temporarily shelved the film. A conversion to 3-D also contributed to its delay.

Lionsgate has not announced a new release date, although an October premiere is a good possibility.

The genre-bending film is directed by "Cloverfield" writer Drew Goddard, who has held producing and writing credits on "Lost," "Alias," "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" and "Angel." He and Whedon co-wrote "The Cabin In The Woods," which marks Goddard's directorial debut.

Whedon is the mastermind behind such hits as "Buffy The Vampire Slayer," "Angel," "Firefly," "Dollhouse" and "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog." His also the writer and director of the upcoming "Avengers" film.

Details on the film's top-secret plot remain slim, with Whedon declining to offer significant hints.

"It is not just a slasher in the woods," he said. "It's a little more complicated than that."

"The Cabin in the Woods" stars Chris Hemsworth ("Thor"), Fran Kranz ("Dollhouse"), Amy Acker ("Angel," "Dollhouse"), Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford, Anna Hutchinson.