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Horror Director John Carpenter Embarks On A Journey With Universal Cable Productions!

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Iconic Director of “Halloween,” “The Thing,” and “Escape from New York.”

To Develop “Tales for a Halloween Night” As TV Series for SYFY

Some exciting news today for John Carpenter fans. It was announced that the “Master of Horror” is partnering up with Universal Cable Productions to set out on a frightful journey into horror television. In recent years, horror has begun to dominate television, and this is just the icing on the cake and it’s very comforting to know that some of our greatest names in horror are still going strong! Carpenter and UCP are in development on Tales for a Halloween Night for the SyFy network and additionally developing Nightside, based on the novels by author Simon R. Green. Check out the official press release below. #StayScary

From The Press Release:

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA- July 6, 2017- Universal Cable Productions (UCP) today announced an overall development deal with John Carpenter, the celebrated director of horror films including “Halloween,” “The Thing,” and “Escape from New York.” Under the new deal, Carpenter will executive produce scripted programming with UCP for the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment portfolio, as well as for external networks and streaming services, along with his producing partner, Sandy King, under their Storm King Productions banner. The announcement was made today by Dawn Olmstead, Executive Vice President, Development at UCP.

“John Carpenter is an incredible creator whose dark imagination has left an indelible mark in film and in our dreams,” said Olmstead. “We are thrilled to have a master of the horror genre join UCP.”

“I’m excited to partner with Universal Cable Productions on this venture into television.  On one hand it’s a return home to Universal where I have fond memories, and on the other it’s a step into the future with great new creative partners in programming,” said Carpenter.

UCP and Carpenter are already in development on “Tales for a Halloween Night” for SYFY. Based on Carpenter’s award-winning graphic novel anthology of stories where he brings together storytellers from the worlds of movies, novels, and comics for a collection of horror stories featuring graveyards, sunken ships, creepy crawlers and ghosts that will haunt your dreams long after you’ve finished reading.  A search for a writer is underway.

Additionally, UCP and Carpenter are developing “Nightside,” based on the literary series by New York Times bestselling author Simon R. Green, with Jill Blotevogel (“Scream: The TV Series”) attached to write the script. Nightside is the secret heart of London beating to its own rhythm, pumping lifeblood through the veins of its streets and alleys, hidden in eternal darkness where creatures of the night congregate and where the sun is afraid to shine. It’s the place to go if you’re looking to indulge the darker side of your nature—and to hell with the consequences.

“Tales for a Halloween Night” and “Nightside” are the latest addition to UCP’s impressive genre development slate. The award-winning studio is in various stages of production and script development on a range of series including: “Happy!” for SYFY; “The Sinner,” “Damnation,” and “Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G” for USA Network; “The Purge” for USA Network and SYFY; “All That Glitters” for Bravo; and “Impulse” for YouTube Red.

A native of Carthage, NY, Carpenter attended Western Kentucky University and the USC School of Cinema, where he began working on “Dark Star.” His breakthrough film, “Halloween,” spawned several sequels. He further cemented his reputation as a master of the genre with hits including “Escape From New York,” “The Thing,” “They Live,” and “Big Trouble in Little China.”  On the small screen, Carpenter directed the mini-series “Elvis,” and Showtime’s horror trilogy “John Carpenter Presents Body Bags” as well as two episodes of STARZ “Masters of Horror.” On Halloween 2014, Carpenter introduced the world to the next phase of his career with “Vortex,” the first single from Lost Themes, his first album of non-soundtrack material which achieved numerous international milestones and affirmed Carpenter’s lasting influence on genre score work. Lost Themes II was released with much fanfare, April of 2016, kicking off a twenty-nine city international tour around the world.

Sandy King has produced major theatrical hits including “They Live” and “John Carpenter’s Vampires.” For television she produced “John Carpenter’s Body Bags.” She continues to expand her comic book universe by both creating and writing the award-winning “Asylum” series. King also created, edited and writes stories for “Tales for a Halloween Night” along with Carpenter.

Carpenter and King are represented by APA and Stankevich Law, Inc. Jill Blotevogel is represented by APA and McKuin Frankel Whitehead LLP. Simon Green is represented by APA and JABberwocky Literary Agency.

Follow Universal Cable Productions On Twitter! 

 

Additional Photo Credits:

Featured Image [Carpenter] Courtesy of https://www.rogerebert.com

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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