Connect with us

News

Interview: Writer Seth Sherwood Talks Origins of Leatherface

Published

on

Written by Shannon McGrew

Until recently, rumors had circulated that audiences and fans would never see the light of day to the anticipated “Leatherface” film, a prequel to the original “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre”, which promised to give us insight into how Leatherface came to be. Then on May 12th, the horror gods must have heard our cries, as producer Christa Campbell announced that “Leatherface” would be coming to theaters this October. With this exciting news at hand, we spoke with writer Seth Sherwood, who penned the screenplay for “Leatherface”, about how he came up with his concept and what fans can expect to learn about the origins of one of the most beloved slashers in the horror genre.

IH: Hi Seth, thank you so much for speaking with us today about “Leatherface.” To start things off, can you tell us a little bit about the film as well as how it relates to the “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” franchise?

SS: The Chainsaw franchise has always played loose with continuity and tone. I know some people are confused thinking there was already a prequel. Long story short – Platinum Dunes did a remake, and then later, came out with a prequel to their remake. What we’re doing is going back and making a prequel to the original film. The current “canon” continuity, chronologically, will be “Leatherface”, the original “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre”, and then “Texas Chainsaw 3D”.

That said – while there’s plenty of things for fans, one could also go into this blind as their first TCM film and effectively see the beginning of the story, which is about the Leatherface, his family, and what led to him having to wear a mask.

IH: What inspired you to write this prequel to the original “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre”? Have you always been a fan of this iconic series?

SS: It should be noted that I didn’t up and decide to write this, then try to get it made. It was something I pitched on. That said, as a huge fan of the original film, I jumped at the chance to pitch and did my best to cook something up that wasn’t the obvious take. I didn’t want to do the easy and obvious version of the story. I took my inspiration from interviews with Tobe Hooper and Gunnar Hansen, in which they described the psychology of Leatherface. His personality was blank – who he was defined by his mask, and what his family told him to do. I decided to ask WHY?

IH: Why was it important for you, and the overall story of Leatherface, to go back and show his life prior to when the massacre’s happened?

SS: It was too easy to just say he was born a deformed gibbering simp that killed people. That is a pretty limited story. I wanted to go much deeper than that. I wanted to know what would have to happen to a normal person to be reduced to that. Sure, he is born into a possibly inbred, cannibal family, but Drayton, Nubbins, Grandpa – they seem to know who they are. What makes Leatherface different?

I know a lot of people think that not knowing makes him scarier, and while I don’t disagree, I just really wanted to answer that question.

IH: “Leatherface” went through a series of delays, which I can only imagine was beyond frustrating. What does it feel like to know that the film will be seeing the light of day this October?

SS: I was just starting to think that maybe it wasn’t going to happen. And in a strange way, (probably to comfort myself) I started to romanticize the idea it became some legendary lost film. If it never came out, no one would actively hate it. It would be coveted – something spoken about, something people would try to contrive some way of seeing, something that would show up on a tired unused media at a convention in 50 years.

But now that it’s happening, I’m of course excited for people to finally see it… and of course there’s the anxiety of the inevitable hate that will come. A lot of fans hate the idea that the movie even exists and have already decided they know what I’ve written, and that it’s terrible. My new mantra is “don’t read the comments… don’t read reviews…”

IH: As a fan of the franchise, where would you like to see the legacy of Leatherface go from here?

SS: Personally, I think Leatherface has had the spotlight for a long time. He was the one with the chainsaw, so he took center stage. But honestly, the family is full of lovable weirdos, freaks, and sickos, any one of which could carry a movie. If the opportunity arose, I’d love to work Chop-Top into the current continuity. Who doesn’t love Chop-Top? I know I’m not the only person that would see a movie about Grandpa Sawyer. He started the family on their path, what was he like as a young man? In our “Leatherface” we have a character named Clarice, who while not part of the family, is one of my favorites and has a crazy backstory.

IH: Last, but certainly not least, what can fans of yours be on the look for from you in the future?

SS: I’ve got a lot in the works, most of which is hidden behind NDAs. There’s TV stuff, some web stuff, a comic book, but the next big thing will be “Hellfest”. It’s the story of a Halloween Horror Nights or Knott’s Scary Farm – a full on Halloween Haunt, a theme park, where amongst the hundreds of fake monsters and madman is a real killer. CBS Films is the studio, Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment is producing, I’m writing it, and Greg Plotkin (director of “Paranormal Activity 5” and editor of “Get Out”) is directing. I took over writing duties for fellow Chainsaw alum Stephen Susco, and Jennifer Lynch helped develop the project. I’ve honestly never had so much fun on a project, it’s an awesome team and it’s going to be a super fun, super scary movie.

“Leatherface” is set to hit theaters this October, just in time for Halloween.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

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

Published

on

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

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

Published

on

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.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

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

Published

on

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.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

Embed Gif with Clickable Title