Genre icons Dee Wallace – whose credits include The Hills Have Eyes, The Howling, Cujo, and Critters – and Felissa Rose – who will always be remembered for playing Angela in Sleepaway Camp – have signed on to star in the horror film The Boy from Below alongside Richie Ramone, who was the drummer for The Ramones from 1983 to 1987. Directed by Tory Jones, The Boy from Below is described as being a “retelling” of Jones’ 2017 film The Wicked One (which previously received a sequel titled Wicked Ones).
Jones had this to say about the project: “In 2014, I set out to create a new slasher character reminiscent of the horror heavyweights of films past. This would lead to the creation of The Wicked One, a corrupted teen who transforms into a hulking psychopath in a scarecrow mask. It would take two years, but finally The Wicked One premiered at Fright Night Film Festival 2016 to a sold out crowd of nearly 600 people. The film took home six awards that evening and a few months later, went on to screen at HorrorHound Weekend to another large crowd, before being released domestically by Petri Entertainment in 2017. The film sold out its first pressing on day one at all major retailers and to this day is still the most financially successful film I’ve ever released. Since its release, the film has went on to win several more awards, introduce a second installment Wicked Ones, amass cosplayers in different countries, appear on the top horror websites and publications and surpass all expectations I could have dreamed up for a tiny little indie flick made for no money. I’ve spent the last 9 years taking this character from conventions to film festivals and everywhere in between building this brand, all in hopes of getting to this Moment… The Boy from Below is the Wicked One movie fans deserve and I’ve always wanted to make. With a REAL budget, talented cast and crew, it is my hope to deliver a film and character horror fans will respond to and love for years to come. This is not a remake, but in many ways a retelling of that original film and a fresh direction and story for this character. In an era starved for original horror characters crossing over into mainstream pop culture, I am prepared to take my biggest swing for the fences in hope of bringing to life an original antagonist and franchise. Not to mention, this film includes elements that were so informative in establishing my love and passion for the genre and filmmaking like the video store, Halloween season, and more! This is a fresh start, a reimagining, a new direction!“
Here’s the synopsis: Local video store employee and horror nerd Quinn Curtis’s Halloween holiday is thrust into chaos when her friends reunite her with an old flame. The night only worsens when a killer in a scarecrow mask, obsessed with horror movies himself, targets Quinn and her friends for his own twisted game of Trick or Treat. As the body count rises, his motivations and ties to the town’s past become clear.
Jones wrote the screenplay with Jerron Spencer. The film is being produced by P.J. Starks, Roman Jossart, and Thomas Wolf.
Here’s what Jones had to say about The Boy from Below‘s newly announced cast members: “There will never be a time like the era of the video store. Walking into video stores, seeing all the physical media and the artwork, it made me fall in love with the genre and movies in general. Now to have the chance to go back to that time and tell a nostalgic, old fashioned horror story while introducing a new slasher is beyond exciting for me. This film has so many things to be excited about, the insane special effects, the legendary cast with horror icons like Dee Wallace, Felissa Rose and so many more. I’m excited to bring this to life for fans of the genre and hopefully make them reminisce about special times when video stores were so prominent.“
Wallace, Rose, and Ramone are joined in the cast by Leah Voysey (Terrifier 2), Chaney Morrow (Haunt), Spencer Madison (Phantom Fun-World), Kamarra Cole (Time’s Up), and Cameryn Zupon (Angel).
Have you seen The Wicked One, and are you interested in seeing a retelling in The Boy from Below? What do you think of Dee Wallace, Felissa Rose, and Richie Ramone joining the cast? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.