CARNIVORE – The Wachowskis – The Horror Movie That Almost Was

A new episode of our The Horror Movie That Almost Was video series has arrived online, and in this one, we’re taking a look at The Wachowski’s first-ever screenplay for Carnivore, a cannibalistic world based in a Chicago soup kitchen.

Before The Matrix, The Wachowskis were incredibly passionate about Carnivore, but right from the start, they were aware that selling it would be an uphill battle. Executives frequently attacked the script’s anti-capitalist message, and said that the film was “too weird”.  However, the release and success of The Matrix in 1999 reinvigorated interest in the project from Trimark. Despite Trimark bringing George Romero onto the project, the film still stalled in development and both Trimark and Romero eventually exited. The Wachowskis continued to try to make progress on the movie as late as 2003 when their frequent cinematographer Bill Pope would have made Carnivore his directorial debut. Even then, the project was still considered too wild of a sell.

The Horror Movie That Almost Was series focuses on

“the various horror projects that could never seem to get things off the ground, be it for budgetary concerns, creative differences, or just an ever-evolving Hollywood landscape. We dive into every aspect and see just how close these films had come to cameras rolling.”

This episode was Written, Narrated, and Edited by Tyler Nichols, Produced by John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian. To see more, head over to the JoBlo Horror Videos YouTube channel – and subscribe while you’re there!