Well regardless of how bad HANDS OF FATE is, it’s getting a sequel. You see Rupert Talbot Munch Sr. started making MANOS: THE SEARCH FOR VALLEY LODGE back in 2008 on a dare and it seems things are actually falling into place. Fangoria recently caught up with the filmmaker and asked for an update on this supposed sequel. My guess is they weren’t expecting this thing to be as far into production as it is.
Now I’m sure a release date is still a ways away but what we do have is tons of info on this thing! Like a website, a synopsis, cast list and more! You can peep the official website for MANOS: THE SEARCH FOR VALLEY LODGE right over HERE, but there isn’t much there. As for the synopsis, check it:
“In MANOS: THE SEARCH FOR VALLEY LODGE, The Master is a powerful sorcerer who gathers his wives—a polygamy cult—to propagate an army to serve the elder god Manos. The wives are ultimately stripped of individuality and converted into demonic types with supernatural strength/powers. In the first film, we were given hints of The Master and his powers, but it was never actually said what he and his followers were. Vampires? No. Undead? Maybe. I figured Torgo as a named demon/satyr type and just took it from there.”
As far as the cast goes it seems Mr. Munch Sr. has went well out of his way to secure a good amount of the original film’s cast for this second go. Tom Neyman will once again be playing ‘The Master’ with Munch Sr. as ‘Torgo.’ Jackey Raye Neyman-Jones returns as ‘Debbie,’ who is now all grown up and ready to kick some ass. Diane Mahree is set to return as ‘Maggie’ along with the late Hal Warren’s son Joe as ‘Michael,’ William Bryan Jennings III as ‘Sheriff Mulligan,’ Tim Nelson as ‘Deputy Simmons,’ former WWE superstar Gene Snisky, UFC Fighter Ryan “Big Deal” Jimmo, Playboy Playmate Maria Kanellis (below), Tara Cardinal and Rippin’ Richie. Jay Lee is on board as director of photography with Tim Martin working on make-up and special effects.
Munch Sr. even goes on to explain why there’s so many brawlers in this thing: “Many people may not get why I am bringing action into the film, but I remind them, there was a full-on brawl in the first one. I took my cues from that. I picked Gene Snisky because, quite frankly, he is one of the scariest, most intimidating people I have ever seen. When he gets angry, it ain’t pretty. I also wanted a guy with such a physical presence that the audience can buy that he has superhuman strength and can go toe to toe with demons/monsters/sorcerers and the like.
Ryan also has a great presence, is funny as hell and totally kicks ass. He almost crippled me with a leg kick—ouch! To make the fights legit, we brought in five-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion Pedro Carvalho to choreograph the takedowns/submissions, and for strikes, we are in talks with martial arts legend Billy Chow, who happens to be Ryan’s Muay Thai instructor. We also brought in Brazilian capoeira expert Eder Correa for the ‘exotics.’ I will also have hot chicks in white dresses whaling on each other, but I’m trying to have it make sense—well, as much as a MANOS film can make sense.”
But that’s not all! Munch Sr. even drops a little tease about a future high def release of THE HANDS OF FATE: “We, the people who represent the original cast and all things MANOS, have been working on the HD restoration for over 14 months. Recently, some kid who found a print of MANOS at an auction is trying to cash in with the same idea. Myself and Joe Warren do not acknowledge, recognize, or approve of what this kid is doing. In the end, we just ask that the fans hold onto their money and wait for our version. It will include tons of never-before-seen footage, plenty of extras, cast and crew commentary, interviews…plus surprises. And the proceeds will go back to Joe Warren and the MANOS faithful.”
So there you have it folks! A nice jam packed update on MANOS: THE SEARCH FOR VALLEY LODGE. Now you can start your New Year off right!