Hammer Films plans to increase their horror film production

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Although Hammer Films was founded in 1934 and the company produced films in a variety of genres, they're best known for the horror films they produced from 1955 through the '70s. The company ceased production as of 1979, and remained dormant until Dutch media tycoon John de Mol acquired the name and film library in 2007. Since then, under the guidance of CEO Simon Oakes, Hammer has steadily been making a comeback, their revival productions including BEYOND THE RAVE, LET ME IN, THE RESIDENT, WAKE WOOD, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, THE QUIET ONES, and THE WOMAN IN BLACK: ANGEL OF DEATH. 

Now Forbes has heard that Hammer is ready to shift "into top gear" and increase its output. Oakes said that Hammer is 

one of the very rare brands in the media industry which is in the vernacular: You refer to a thing as ‘like a Hammer film.’ It has global potential like no other."

While the new Hammer has only produced eight features over a twelve year span, Oakes is planning to start producing multiple films per year. To make this work, 

You have to be cognizant of the budget. Our sweet spot is between $8 million and $12 million, depending on the cast. Hammer, in the 50s, 60s and 70s, made a movie every six weeks like a repertory group and the average budget was about £250,000 [$320,000]."

The new Hammer is looking into remaking some of their old properties, but apparently there are some complex rights issues to deal with even though Hammer often used public domain characters like Frankenstein's Monster, Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, and mummies. With Universal currently working on reviving the classic monsters with their Dark Universe endeavor, it would be fun if the new Hammer were to join in on the classic monster action and start making their own Frankenstein, Dracula, and Mummy movies again as well.

Hammer is also extending their brand with a streaming platform, social media accounts, and a publishing imprint with Random House. They recently signed a deal with StudioCanal for global distribution of their film library. StudioCanal now has access to over 200 classic Hammer titles.

The company has been back for a while, but it looks like Hammer is going to be an even stronger presence in the horror genre from now on.

Their next film is THE LODGE, which NEON will be releasing on February 7, 2020.