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Don Mancini Says He’s Subverting Expectations in ‘Cult of Chucky’

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Don Mancini had no idea when he created Child’s Play way back in 1988 that Chucky, the doll with an angel’s smile and the devil’s own agenda, would spawn a franchise that he would still be talking about, much less writing new stories for, 30 years later…but he did have a dream.

As a horror fan in the 80s, he followed all of the major franchises and is still an ardent fan of Carpenter, Craven, Hooper and the rest.  His own creation, Chucky, has stood the test of time, spawning six sequels that have ranged in tone from classic slashers to darkly hysterical comedies.

“I created a little sandbox for myself to play in,” he admits, “and it’s allowed me to tell different kinds of stories.  Honestly, I feel like I won the lottery.”

Mancini has never wanted to tell the exact same kind of story twice, however.  In fact, he sees each sequel as an opportunity to switch directions and keep his audiences guessing.

“Any good story is about subverting expectations, and sequels are a golden opportunity for that,” Mancini says.  “People come into sequels with a lot of expectations and it’s my job to be surprising, to give you something you never saw coming.”

How does he do it?  By playing with the subgenre of the film.

In Curse of Chucky, the last film from the franchise, Mancini focused on the classic tropes of the big scary house and the woman in peril to draw Chucky from the land of dark comedy into something all together more serious.  With Cult of Chucky he continues that streak, but the action has been moved to a mental hospital. It’s going to be a crazy ride, and he cites Leonard DiCaprio’s Inception as an inspiration.

“We have a whole set of people in the institution who imprint on this doll in different ways depending on their particular illnesses,” he points out.  “Their perspectives are colored by the drugs they’re on, the dreams they’re having, and their diagnoses.  That allows Chucky to toy with them all in different ways.”

In fact, Mancini says, he wrote it so that the characters and audiences alike will question what is reality and what is hallucination throughout the film.

Production Still from the set of Cult of Chucky

Mancini was also excited to bring back one of his original characters after a brief scene at the end of Curse of Chucky.  Andy Barclay, the young boy with the misfortune of being Chucky’s first owner after the doll was possessed by Charles Lee Ray, is back and ready to fight his nemesis once again in Cult of Chucky.  To make it even more exciting, Alex Vincent who played Andy thirty years ago is back to reprise his role.

“It’s been awesome because when you create characters they become very personal to you.  I’ve spent a lot of time over the years wondering, even idly, what would have happened to Andy,”  Mancini says.  “What would that kind of childhood trauma do to a person in adulthood?  What would Andy be doing right now?”

Mancini kept up with Vincent over the years and from time to time they would discuss these very questions, but it took some convincing to get the studio to really back this idea of sort of looking backward rather than forward.  After seeing the final scene in Curse of Chucky, however, they were firmly on board.

From there, it was a bit of a chemistry experiment determining how a character from a much more serious film would interact with a character who rose to popularity in Chucky’s more comic phase in the late 90s.

In other words, what would happen when Andy met Tiffany, and how would these disparate characters from disparate films approach each other?  Luckily for Mancini, the combination was dynamite and he is excited for audiences to experience the old guard meeting the new.

With all of these changing themes, returning characters, and a brand new setting, Mancini admits he was a little nervous when the time came for Cult of Chucky‘s world debut at FrightFest in London.

“It’s always terrifying,” he says.  “You make this film and you take it out to the public for the first time and you know that the judgement is going to be very public and it’s going to be everywhere.  So, I was scared to death as we approached the London premiere.”

Luckily for Mancini and the cast and crew, the response in London was generally positive, and it has bolstered his courage as the film heads for other festivals around the world including Toronto After Dark and the Sydney Underground Film Festival.

Keep your eyes peeled because Chucky just might be hitting a festival big screen near you.  In the meantime, you can look forward to the official release date, October 3, 2017, on Blu Ray, DVD, and On Demand!

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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