Got a news scoop? Send it now! NEWS HUB JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2005 - ARCHIVED BACK TO CURRENT Pit Contest winners and upcoming contests: Congrats are in order to the following winners - Dawn of the Dead: Directors Cut Dave Bauer Shaun of the Dead Leeda Adkins Unspeakable Craig Foreman Frances Moore New contests as follows... Open Water Alien vs. Predator The Chronicles of Riddick Alone in the Dark (In the works are The Village, Saw, and Seed of Chucky) CRYSTAL LAKE MEMORIES STREET DATE ANNOUNCED!: The wait is finally over! CRYSTAL LAKE MEMORIES: 25 YEARS OF 'FRIDAY THE 13TH' will see its official North American retail release on October 24th, 2005! And as a special thank you to newsletter subscribers, exclusive autographed advanced copies will be available via the website only on September 26th, 2005. (Watch this space for further details). Check out the website's book page (www.crystallakememories.com/thebook.html) for full specs, including pricing, details and ISBN information. CRYSTAL LAKE MEMORIES will be available at all leading retail and online booksellers nationwide. We'll keep you posted as the book begins to become available for preorder, so stay tuned! There are also many exciting events in the planning stages to celebrate the release of CRYSTAL LAKE MEMORIES, as well as to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original FRIDAY THE 13TH. Watch this space...the fun is only beginning! Taxi Driver 2: Our good ole' buddy Tony Timpone over at Fangoria scooped this bit of excellent news!!!! Yes, would you believe that star Robert De Niro and director Martin Scorsese are reportedly bouncing around a follow-up to their violent 1976 masterpiece TAXI DRIVER? According to Friday’s New York Post, De Niro confirmed that he and Scorsese want to explore what vigilante/loner Travis Bickle has been up to for the last 30 years. "I was talking with Martin Scorsese about doing what I guess you’d call a sequel to TAXI DRIVER, where he is older," De Niro, who’s now 61, told journalists. Be curious to see what Bickle thinks of Times Square today; the one featured in the original film, filled with grindhouses and smut parlors, gave way to Disney, Applebee’s and B.B. King! Besides De Niro’s harrowing performance and the fact that it inspired John Hinckley to shoot President Ronald Reagan, TAXI DRIVER is also noted for its hypnotic Bernard (PSYCHO) Herrmann score and climatic Dick Smith-engineered splatter FX bloodbath. TAXI DRIVER 2 would be the perfect antidote to De Niro’s demeaning turns in recent comedies like SHOWTIME, ANALYZE THAT and MEET THE FOCKERS. http://www.fangoria.com/news_article.php?id=3425 The Boogeyman: Beware of SPOILERS! Over at B-D they have a big ass spoiler that I'm staying away from all together. If you want to ruin it, go ahead and read on. http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/index.php?Show=3195&Template=newsfull The Grudge UNRATED DVD on the way: Fango got an advance look at and listen to the DVD of Takashi Shimizu’s THE GRUDGE, due February 1 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, and on the filmmakers/cast commentary track, producers Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert reveal that a disc of an unrated, more extreme version of the film will be coming out later this year. This edition, they reveal, will include scenes trimmed for the PG-13 rating, including moments involving child endangerment and at least one very cool-sounding setpiece (which we won’t spoil here). This cut may also eliminate a scene or two in THE GRUDGE designed to explain the supernatural concepts to American audiences. Sony Pictures has yet to officially announce this DVD, but we’ll keep you posted. http://www.fangoria.com/news_article.php?id=3394 Day of the Dead 2: Contagium Well, for most of you, you could care less about this news... but if you are into bad rip offs... check the latest out on the Romero-less sequel. http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/index.php?Show=3191&Template=newsfull Halloween 9: Asylum: For once, I would like a Halloween rumor to actually be true. Well, last time Fango nailed it a month before HM.com released a single tid bit on Resurrection... let's just hope this scoop is TRUE! A source got in touch with FANGORIA with some news about the ninth HALLOWEEN film, currently in development. "The new movie is called HALLOWEEN: ASYLUM," the scooper tells Fango, "and it’s being written by Matt Venne—whose spec horror script SECOND SIGHT is being produced by Clive Barker’s Seraphim Films—for SUICIDE CLUB’s Sion Sono to make his North American directorial debut. HALLOWEEN: ASYLUM is being set in Smith’s Grove, which became a maximum security penitentiary/asylum after the breakout of ’78. It’s filled with deranged killers and Michael is awaiting execution, harking back to the horror-hospital setting of HALLOWEEN II. This is not going to be some neutered VS. movie, not filled with campy one-liners, etc. Rather, it takes the iconic Michael Myers back to his roots in a very cool setting. It’s really serious/scary/suspenseful in tone, like all the best HALLOWEEN films have been." No one from the HALLOWEEN camp has officially confirmed these details, but we’ll let you know more as we find it out. http://www.fangoria.com/news_article.php?id=3378 Black Christmas remake: According to Steven Hoban & Creature Corner "We’re just ready to start financing and casting a horror movie called Skin that we plan to shoot in the Alberta badlands," says Hoban. "Grant Harvey, who directed Ginger Snaps: The Beginning, will direct. Skin follows a group of college students and their professor who secretly set out into the scorched badlands of New Mexico circa 1953. Five days ahead of the next atomic bomb test, they search for proof that the tests are contaminating the environment and poisoning both man and beast. However, what they find in the dark corners of that dead land is far more terrifying than any science of man." As for the Black Christmas remake, which we reported on months ago, namely that original Black Christmas director Bob Clark is a producer on the project, Hoban says, "Unfortunately, we’re still on the cusp of having great things to say about Black Christmas, but things are dragging a bit. We’re also going to announce director and cast for our film Last Hunt in the next few weeks." http://www.creature-corner.com/?type=news&id=330 The Ring 2 interviews: Read all about the much anticipated sequel, thanks to B-D... http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/index.php?Show=3190&Template=newsfull Amityville 4 disc box set: DVD Answers reports that MGM Home Entertainment will release an AMITYVILLE HORROR Special Edition DVD Gift Set April 5, in anticipation of the remake that opens theatrically April 15. The box will contain new discs of the first three movies, plus a fourth AMITYVILLE CONFIDENTIAL bonus disc. The original AMITYVILLE HORROR will come with an optional video introduction and audio commentary by parapsychologist Dr. Hans Holzer, who has written a number of books about the Amityville phenomena (including THE AMITYVILLE CURSE, the basis for the film of the same title), a new For God’s Sake, Get Out! documentary, a sneak peek at the remake, seven radio spots and the original theatrical trailer. AMITYVILLE II: THE POSSESSION and AMITYVILLE 3-D will include the original trailers only, and there’s no word on whether the latter will be presented in 3-D (as it was on the British DVD we reported on here). The AMITYVILLE CONFIDENTIAL disc contains more original documentaries including Amityville: The Hoax? and Amityville: The Haunting. Each movie will be presented in anamorphic widescreen, and HORROR and 3-D will have English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio; II will have English mono sound only. Retail price for the set will be $39.96, and the individual titles will also be available for $14.95 each. http://www.fangoria.com/news_article.php?id=3351 Final Destination 3 actually moving ahead: Excellent news about FD 3 is scooped thanks to the boys at Bloody Disgusting: http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/index.php?Show=3185&Template=newsfull Prom Night remake: The guys over at Dread Central have updated us all on a possible remake of the 80’s Jamie Lee Curtis slasher Prom Night. They got a chance to talk to scripter Stephen Susco and here is a bit of what he had to say: Susco couldn't divulge many details on his take on the redux but a script has been completed and turned in to Columbia. "I can tell you that our version is more 'supernatural' than the original... And much scarier, in my opinion," he tells us with a smile. Prom Night is close to locking a director with an announcement being made soon. Courtesy of Creature Corner: http://www.creature-corner.com/?type=news&id=339 Ashes 2 Ashes review up at B-D: Inside you'll find a review for Andy Harnell's comic book series Army of Darkness: Ashes 2 Ashes, which will soon be continued with Shop Til You Drop [Dead]. The story, illustrated by Nick Bradshaw, gives Ash an attempt to redeem himself after misspeaking the words before taking the Necronomicon. He returns to the woods were it all began! Read on for a review here: http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/index.php?Show=3196&Template=newsfull Underworld 2 Evolution: Check out the exclusive Creature Corner coverage on the sequel here: http://www.creature-corner.com/?type=news&id=337 Fetish Dolls Die Laughing: Kiss Of Death Productions (MEAT FOR SATAN'S ICEBOX, TROMA Entertaintent) in Pittsburgh, Pa. is in production on their latest film, FETISH DOLLS DIE LAUGHING. A supernatural entity possesses Billy Tagg, a submissive fetish photographer, causing him to act out his fantasies in a murderous rampage. He slaughters his sexy fetish models leaving a gruesome trail of bloody and mutilated beautiful corpses. For more details and photos go to: http://www.freewebs.com/fetishdollsdielaughing/index.htm www.kiss-of-death-productions.com Risen casting call - Make YOUR vote: Quick update for you, Zombie Nation has posted casting call and distilled down the responses to a shortlist. They are allowing the horror fans out there to vote on their favorites: http://zombie-nation.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=38 Kung-Fu Zombies: Check out the latest in martial Arts horror movies over at THC!!! http://www.horrorchannel.com/dread/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=621 Saw 2 writer update: According to Special Ops Media - FYI - Alex Garland is not the writer of SAW 2. The producer hopes to announce the writer in the next week. We will keep you posted here at the Pit. Independent hit, "Open Water" released on DVD! Fancy yourself at some shark trivia? Or perhaps you just want to see some cool shark images? Or maybe you want to purchase the DVD? We recommend the following link: http://www.openwatermovie.com Source: Special Ops Media Alone in the Dark trailer now online Based on the best selling Atari videogame series, Alone in the Dark stars Christian Slater. And the trailer is now available on the official website: http://aloneinthedarkthemovie.com Source: Special Ops Media Upcoming Pittsburgh band, "The Vacancy", shoot a Jason style music video! "We just recorded a new album thats suppossed to hit stores this February. We recently shot a music video for one of the tracks on the album. I bet you're wondering what this has to do with Friday The 13th. I have been a long time fan of the Friday The 13th series ever since I was a small child. We decided to pay tribute to our favorite Friday's (particularly part 2) by shooting a slasher themed music video. Ive been visiting your site for a long time now. I thought this might be cool to show off. Check it out. I'd love to hear your opinion on it" From Ben (The Vacancy) What does the Pit think? Well, we think it is a spiffing video, and the song is rather good too. Check out the video when you get the chance: Vacancy Video Keanu Reeves talks about his latest role in supernatural thriller, "Constantine": Warner Bros. Constantine, a comic book adaptation of 'Hellblazer,' is getting ready to his theaters February 18th- so it doesn't come as much of a surprise that Wizard Magazine is doing some heavy coverage of the film. In the newest issue Keanu Reeves, who plays Constantine, talks a little about what sweet things we'll see in the film- and answers the question we already all want to know- sequel? Read on for the scoop. Keanu tells Wizard Magazine, "There's a showdown scene where Constanine meets the forces of darkness who are planning to make Hell on Earth, and he battle using the Holy Shotgun. There's also quite an interesting scene between John and Satan, which is good fun." When asked about a sequel Keanu replied, "I have no idea, man. Hopefully, we captured the spirit of it [in this film] and did it in a way that people who really like the material will be happy with, because the story is so great." 'Constantine' stars Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Tilda Swinton, Gavin Rossdale, Djimon Hounsou, Shia LaBeouf and Peter Stormare. Based on the DC/Vertigo comic book Hellblazer and written by Kevin Brodbin, Mark Bomback and Frank Capello, "Constantine" tells the story of irreverent supernatural detective John Constantine (Reeves), who has literally been to hell and back. When Constantine teams up with skeptical policewoman Angela Dodson (Weisz) to solve the mysterious suicide of her twin sister (also played by Weisz), their investigation takes them through the world of demons and angels that exists just beneath the landscape of contemporary Los Angeles. Caught in a catastrophic series of otherworldy events, the two become inextricably involved and seek to find their own peace at whatever cost. Source: Freezedriedmovies.com 'Halloween 9' News A Month a Way? Creature-Corner dropped a line to producer Malek Akkad, Moustapha’s son, to ask about the status of Halloween 9 and he told them that he’ll spill the beans about Halloween 9 early next month, "There’s nothing to report on Halloween 9 right now, but keep in touch because there will be next month," says Akkad. "We’re going to make a major announcement in one month about Halloween 9 and the direction the film’s going to take." Creature-Corner New Line Puts the Big Franchises on Hold? Get's Mr. D to talk... Creature-Corner reports the following, read below for my response: It seems that the Blade franchise is dead, but what about that Nightstalkers spinoff film that Blade: Trinity was supposed to launch? The Corner dropped a line to New Line Cinema’s Toby Emmerich and asked him about the status of the Nightstalkers film as well as the status, this week’s status, of Freddy Vs. Jason 2. "There are no plans for another Freddy Vs. Jason film right now," says Emmerich who wrote the excellent 2000 time-travel thriller Frequency. "There are no plans right now for a Nightstalkers film until I see how well Blade: Trinity does on video." Before I rant, I'd like to say no disrespect intended. This is just how I feel about the situation. First I'd like to point out that Toby Emmerich had nothing to do with either the 'Blade' or FvJ' franchises- at least according to IMDB. There are so many people working at New Line in different areas that a lot of people in one section know stuff that others do not. Second, 'Blade Trinity' did not flop. It pulled in $70.8 million worldwide, which is still a lot. It cost approx $65 million so it didnt lose money. After the DVD hits, it will make some serious dough. Dump useless Snipes and bring in Ryan Reynolds and Biel, who cost pennies compared to other stars out there- who I might add are contractually obliged to do the spin-off (which means they aren't getting squat for a raise) and you've got a spin-off. Mark my words; it still is in the cards. Last is 'Freddy vs Jason 2.' All we know is that Ash is OUT. The movie made over $80 million in the US, plus international and DVD numbers- it BANKED. A sequel WILL get made; I don't give a butts crack what Toby Emmerich says. Mark my words again. Freddy and Jason will be back. Mr D. out Creature-Corner Bloody-Disgusting 'Seed of Chucky' DVD Coming: Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced Seed of Chucky for release on April 12th. The little doll who could arrives in three separate DVD editions: a fullscreen R-rated theatrical cut, as well as anamorphic widescreen and fullscreen unrated extended editions. Each comes with Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Surround tracks, an audio commentary (with director Don Mancini and Jennifer Tilly), "Conceiving The Seed of Chucky" behind-the-scenes featurette, "FuZion Up Close" behind-the-scenes interviews with Chucky and Tiffany, "Family Hell-iday Slide Show" (The Chucky family hosts the first viewing of their exploits through Paris, New York and Hollywood), Jennifer Tilly's video diary from The Tonight Show and trailers. Additional extras available on the unrated edition will include "slashed" deleted scenes and a "Heeeeeere's Chucky!" in-depth interview with Chucky including his early screen tests. Retail is $29.98 each. Davis DVD 'Shaun of the Dead' Sequel! In Comic Form? During a short interview CHUD conducted with Simon Pegg (Shaun) and Nick Frost (Ed) the two revealed that a sequel to Rogue's Shaun of the Dead could happen, but only in comic book form- over at either DC or Marvel! Nothing is official yet, more on that as the news rolls in. In 'Shaun' a man decides to turn his moribund life around by winning back his ex-girlfriend, reconciling his relationship with his mother and dealing with an entire community that has returned from the dead to eat the living. CHUD Tobe Hooper's 'Mortuary' Begins Filming! "Tobe Hooper begins shooting today in Pomona, CA on his new horror film MORTUARY, which reunites him with several of his collaborators from TOOLBOX MURDERS, including producer Tony DiDio, scriptwriters Adam Gierasch (who tells Fango, "If people like slime and vomiting and weird monsters, they’ll love this") and Jace Anderson, cinematographer Steve Yedlin, makeup FX artists Dean and Starr Jones and actors Greg Travis and Price Carson. Also in the cast are young actors Dan (’SALEM’S LOT) Byrd, Alexandra (TEQUILA BODY SHOTS) Adi, Courtney (MTV’s UNDRESSED) Peldon and Bug Hall (Alfalfa from the LITTLE RASCALS movie, all grown up and "playing a total sleazeball," according to Gierasch), along with Michael Shamus Wiles, Lee Garlington and Gierasch himself as "the 90-year-old dead piano teacher, Mr. Barstow." The movie is about a family that moves to the town of Arkham, Massachusetts and takes on the job of running a local funeral home, where an evil presence resides in the adjoining cemetery; Evan (HOME SICK) Katz and Peter Katz are producing with DiDio. Go here to see the official website for MORTUARY." Fangoria Got a news scoop? Send it now!