For the last month, Troma Entertainment founders Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz have been running a Kickstarter campaign to raise completion funds for the company's latest toxic waste-coated epic, RETURN TO NUKE 'EM HIGH: VOLUME 2, the fifth installment in the franchise that began with CLASS OF NUKE 'EM HIGH in 1986.
The goal was high, $50,000, but that was achieved and exceeded by a large margin, with the campaign ending up at a total of $63,615. Nicely done, Troma fans!
RETURN TO NUKE 'EM HIGH: VOLUME 2
is the continuation of the compelling adventure of Lauren and Chrissy, two lesbian lovers who must face and defeat the most corrupt and evil forces ever to descend upon Tromaville… and the world!
When a perverse conspiracy is launched by the demented CEO of a multi-national "organic food" company, our heroines become embroiled in a death defying fight to restore their own humanity, while at the same time saving the entire world from enslavement and the apocalypse.
Like most Troma films, this one is dealing with some important real world issues beneath its veneer of gore and insanity, including LGBTQ rights, bullying, and food conglomerates.
RETURN TO NUKE 'EM HIGH: VOLUME 2 has already been filmed, and looks like the most impressive production Troma has had in a while. The funds raised will be used to cover post-production costs, with everything raised beyond the initial $50,000 goal going toward marketing and distribution, the intention being to get the movie into as many theatres as possible. Blu-ray was originally going to be the only option for the eventual home video release, but with the campaign having surpassed a $60,000 stretch goal, a DVD release has been secured as well.
Troma's movies don't always appeal to me, but the company and Kaufman himself have my deep respect and admiration. I'm happy to see them having so much success with this campaign and hope the success will continue as RETURN TO NUKE 'EM HIGH: VOLUME 2 makes its way out into the world.
Troma is hoping to get the movie into September's Toronto International Film Festival, with a fail-safe wide release in January of 2016. Just in time for NUKE 'EM HIGH's thirtieth anniversary.