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April 5, 2001

Source: Hollywood Reporter

Roger Corman ("The Haunting of Hell House", "Black Scorpion") has demolished the remainder of his Concorde/New Horizons studios in the name of his latest project. In February 2000, Corman sold the soundstages to Santa Monica-based real estate developers GTO Hampton Llc. for $4.3 million. GTO had planned to tear down the 21-year-old facility to make way for commercial space and apartments. Corman sensed an opportunity and wrote a script around the demolition. Titled "Slaughter Studios," the project is centered on a character who hates horror films and blows up a studio. "When I say blow it up, I'm making it sound a fraction more dramatic," Corman told The Hollywood Reporter. "We tore down and burned out the whole interior and the roof, leaving a lot of the shell still there so that we didn't have to get into major explosives. Almost nothing was left of the interior."
                       

April 5, 2001

Source: CNN

CNN reports that Columbia Pictures has hired "Saving Private Ryan" screenwriter Robert Rodat to adapt a feature based on bestselling author Patricia Cornwell's series that features gutsy medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta. The two books to be adapted will be 1991's "Cruel & Unusual," and 1997's "Unnatural Exposure." In "Cruel & Unusual," Scarpetta tries to solve the murder of a 13-year-old boy after the fingerprints of the man who went to the electric chair for the killing turn up at a new crime scene. In "Unnatural Exposure," Scarpetta faces five headless, limbless cadavers in Ireland, plus four similar victims in a landfill in Virginia. The public thinks a serial butcher is loose. What can I say, I'm a Cornwell fan.
                       

April 5, 2001

Source: Cabinet of Dr. Casey

Dreamworks has reportedly paid a high six-figure deal to have Ehren Kruger ("Scream 3") write the script for a Japanese horror film they recently acquired. The film will be produced in English. Gore Verbinski is in negotiations to direct. The film is based on a series of novels from Japanese author Suzuki Koji. "The Ring" tells the story of a supposedly cursed video tape that causes it's viewers to die within seven days. A journalist watches the tape and then tries to figure out the curse before it kills her too.
                       

April 5, 2001

Source: Canoe

The AFP news agency reports David Bowie may be rekindling his taste for blood (he played a vampire in "The Hunger") in a planned remake of "Dracula" for Italian television. Bowie is still negotiating with the directors to play the part, which would see him play opposite Italian actor Giancarlo Giannini ("Hannibal"). AFP said the Italian production would be set in modern times, with Dracula tempting a group of youths with promises of money and influence. The project is scheduled to air in the autumn of 2001.
                       

April 4, 2001

Source: Terror-Zone

Website is up for "Biohazardous". Not sure if this a straight-to-video deal or what but the website is kind of interesting. The film claims to be "made by professional film makers that happen to be horror fanatics. In other words, it's a film by Horror fans for Horror fans!" The story involves a group of kids out for a night of partying behind the electric fences of the local genetic research facility. Their night of partying turns into a night of horror. Inside the complex dangerous things are taking place, and it will take all the courage and strength these kids can muster, to make it through the night alive...could be fun. The story also includes the town's religious fanatics who are intent on closing the facility down. Anyways, check out the site here.
                       

April 4, 2001

Source: The Z review

Z review reports on Goran Visnic's (aka Dr Luka Kvac in e.r.) next movie project "Dr Sleep". Reportedly, Visnic's character gets involved with a murder investigation when a young girl escapes from a ritualistic killer and becomes mute. He discovers information from her that ends up putting him in danger. "Dr Sleep" is being made by Kismet Films (from Canada). Not sure if Visnic will be acting, directing or what. Probably be more of a thriller than a horror, but it sounds scary!
                       

April 4, 2001

Source: Dark Horizons

Dark Horizons reports on more great pics from "The Mummy Returns" posted by French Premiere. Check them out below:

< click pic to see them all >
                       

April 4, 2001

Source: Horror-wood

The folks at Horror-Wood report on a couple of possible re-makes. Joe Berlinger reportedly has his sights set on a re-make of the 1973 classic "The Wicker Man". Berlinger is most notedly known for "Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2". Now, I personally enjoyed BW2 (more so than the boys at Horror-wood) but I question this need to go back and re-create great films. If it was done right the first time, then why mess with it? Anyways, Joe Dante also has his sights set on a re-make project. He hopes to bring "The Devil Rides Out" back to life. Christopher Lee starred in both "The Devil Rides Out" and "The Wicker Man". Lee has openly opposed Berlinger's idea simply because the original was that good! Lee is however, very supportive of Dante's efforts to re-make "The Devil Rides Out".
                       

April 2, 2001

Source: Dr. Drew

Wes Craven's "Dracula 2000" will be released July 3rd by Dimension Home Video. The suggested retail price will reportedly 29.99 US, no features have been confirmed as of yet, but a Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track has been mentioned.
                       

April 2, 2001

Source: Fandom

Great interview with the cast of "The Forsaken". Smilin' Jack Ruby talks with Johnathon Schaech, Kerr Smith, Phina Oruche, and Alexis Thorpe about the film. The story is about a guy (Smith) who picks up a hitchhiker while driving across the country. His new companion turns out to be hunting for a group of ruthless vampires. None of the vampires have fangs which could be interesting. Instead they all have really long fingernails for ripping and tearing. The film is set to open April 27th, one week before the opening of "The Mummy Returns".
                       

April 2, 2001

Source: Upcoming Movies

Filming ended on March 12th. The expected release date was to be sometime this fall but it looks like that date will be pushed to sometime next year. The cast includes David Arquette and Kari Wuhrer (Sliders) fighting off the giant spiders. The film was finished on a $30 million budget a majority of which was certainly needed to bring the spiders to life. The executive producers include Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich so it can't be all bad...
                       

March 30, 2001

Source: Fandom

The script currently being looked at is written by Matt Thompson and Camren Burton. The story is reportedly about the FBI witnessing a child's death at the hands of an invisible Freddy Krueger. The city of Springwood is evacuated to, coincidentally, Crystal Lake, Connecticut. Krueger follows, only to find Jason Voorhees, under the power of a witch name Jamelyn. "A month earlier, Jamelyn's son was murdered by a cult, suspecting him to be evil like Jason. After his death, she went crazy and returned Jason from Hell. However, he is completely under her control, there only to take revenge on the cult. But Jason has other plans and eventually breaks Jamelyn's power....." The script returns Alice and Jacob from "A Nightmare On Elm Street 5: The Dream Child", and the Freemans from "Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Friday". The finale takes place in a twisted mazed of roman architecture, in which Freddy and Jason meet on Krueger's turf.
                       

March 30, 2001

Source: Daily Variety

Michael Ovitz' Artists Production Group and France's Studio Canal have acquired the rights to the script for "Ara/Froom". The script is written by Herman Raucher and is based on his novel, "Maynard's House". Production on the film is expected to begin as soon as possible. The story is about a Vietnam soldier who returns to Maine at the conclusion of the war. A house is bequeathed to him after a close friend is killed during the war. He soon finds that the house is inhabited by the spirit of a witch that was murdered in the house 200 years ago and now plans to wreck havoc on the present owner.
                       

March 29, 2001

Source: Cinema Confidential and Upcoming Movies

Peter Facinelli has been added to the cast of "The Scorpion King". The film will be a prequel based on the Scorpion King character in "The Mummy Returns". The story centers on how the Scorpion King came to conquer Egypt. Facinelli will play Takmet, the evil son of the Warlord, whom the Scorpion King must defeat. "The Mummy" and "Mummy Returns" producers Jim Jacks and Sean Daniel, and director Stephen Sommers will be producing the film. "The Rock" revealed recently at his official site that "the producers were vigorously going after" Chow Yun-Fat to costar. News from Yun-Fat's camp is that he as a rule declines to play the villains in North American films. Filming is scheduled to start shooting April 4th in Los Angeles.
                       

March 29, 2001

Source: Daily Variety

According to Daily Variety, Scott Foley ("Scream 3") has signed on to the cast of Dimension Films "Below". The film is scheduled to begin production soon with David Twohy ("Pitch Black") writing and directing. The film tells the story of a U.S. submarine caught in hostile waters during World War II. The crew finds themselves not only having to worry about the enemy above them, but also about the ghosts that seem to be haunting the ship. Bruce Greenwood is already cast in the project. Word has it the Twohy is getting ready to work on the "Pitch Black" sequel.
                       

March 28, 2001

Source: Dark Horizons

Dario Argento was working on a sequel to his film "Phenomena", but it was canceled so he could move into pre-production on his next film, the second of three films for Cecchi Gori Films in Italy. No mention of Jennifer Connelly returning for a sequel, but Ronny Taylor had reportedly been experimenting with new underwater camera techniques for the film's extensive underwater sequences, similar to the ending of the original film. Argento is also currently overseeing the production of the English language version of "Nonhosonno" (titled "Sleepless").
                       

March 27, 2001

Source: The Cabinet of Dr. Casey

More news on the fourth installment in HBO's "Creature Features" series inspired by Samuel Z. Arkoff's classic monster movies of the 1950's. Steven Culp ("Jason Goes to Hell"), and Clea DuVall ("Ghosts of Mars") will appear in the fourth film of five in the series. The story is about a company man who hires three ex-cons, who are now computer-programmers, and gives them a month to create a computer game titled Evilution. During the course of the month, each man is to design the scariest monster that he can imagine, with the one who designs the best creature winning a million dollars. Their efforts ultimately overload the computer, which brings the monster to life.
                       

March 27, 2001

Want to see some cool pics behind the scenes of "The Foresaken"? An insider on the set of the new vampire flick has posted some pics as well as a journal he's keeping while working on the film. Check it out here.
                 

March 27, 2001

Source: Terror Zone

"Jason X" is done with a possible release in August though that's still not definite. "Freddy vs. Jason" is still in development hell. Sean Cunningham is still figuring out a story that according to Cunningham: "services both of these negative pop icons". If it goes forward, it will be Cunnigham's project due to Wes Craven's exclusive contract with Miramax.
                       

March 26, 2001

Source: Halloween

A deal has finally been struck for Rick Rosenthal to direct "Halloween H2K: Evil Never Dies". Rosenthal previously directed "HALLOWEEN II" so perhaps he will be able to rejuvenate the series. Jamie Lee Curtis is signed on for at least a cameo, while Tyra Banks is still in talks to appear in the film.
                       

March 26, 2001

Source: Upcoming Movies

More information has been released on the next Exorcist film "Exorcist: Dominion". The script has been penned by Caleb Carr. If his book "The Alienist" is any indication, the gore factor will be high. The story will reportedly take place in the early 20th century, where we follow Father Merrin's journey as a young priest to Africa. It is there that he has his first encounter with demonic forces. No word on whether Max Von Sydow will make an appearance in the film. It is slated for a 2002 release.
                       

March 26, 2001

Source: Ananova

Now you can be Ash from the "Evil Dead" in a new 3D adventure game. Ananova reports that the game: "Evil Dead: Hail to the King" will mirror the premise of 5 friends staying at a cabin in the woods where they unknowingly release evil forces from the forest. It will provide several new 24-bit environments as well as a wide variety of game-play, settings, puzzles and enemies. Other features include a voiceover by original "Evil Dead" actor Bruce Campbell, upgradeable weapons and cinematic camera movements true to the original. The game is set for release sometime this summer.
                       

March 23, 2001

Disney has purchased the super-natural thriller "The Mystic". The project comes from Scott Derrickson and Paul Harris Boardman, the creators of "Hellraiser V" and "Urban Legends: Final Cut". The story revolves around a small town cop who suspects supernatural forces at work in a crime he is attempting to solve. He must investigate an obscure cult that may be involved. Derrickson and Boardman also wrote "Ghosting" due to come out later in the year. The film is about frats who replace hazing with a frightening substitute.
                 

March 23, 2001

Leonor Varela has officially joined the cast as the female lead in "Blade 2: Bloodlust". The character is still not confirmed but FILMFORCE reports the most likely part for Varela ("Cleopatra", "The Tailor of Panama") is Nyssa, the pure blood vampire who joins Blade as part of the Bloodpack. Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen has also signed on as a fight coordinator for the film and will also be appearing as a member of the Bloodpack. The film begins shooting with director Guillermo del Toro next month in Prague.
                 

March 22, 2001

Source: Popcorn

Seems Jude Law is being pegged as the front runner for the remake of Red Dragon aka Manhunter. Anthony Hopkins has confirmed his not being involved in the project. Hopkins is said to be interested only in sequels for the franchise. The prequel was rumored to have had Hopkins digitally enhanced to appear younger. The original Manhunter was released in 1986 with Michael Mann at the helm and Brian Cox as Lecter.
                      

March 22, 2001

Source: The Z Review

The promo site is finally up here. No new info though.. that cool but already overdone pic of Aaliyah as "Akasha the Vampire Queen". The release date is still set for August but there are rumors of it being pushed to January 2002 at the earliest. In the meantime check out Vampvan for early pics and production info. In fact, they seem to have more info then Warner Bros...
 

March 22, 2001

Source: Horror-wood Reporter

Pinhead will ride again! Doug Bradley has officially signed on to reprise the role of Pinhead the Cenobite in the 6th installment of the Hellraiser series. Series original Ashley Laurence is now confirmed to also return for the new film tentatively titled "Hellseeker". Rick Bota (House on Haunted Hill, Valentine) will be directing. The script was put together by Carl Dupre (Detroit Rock City). Could be good...