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Christmas Slay: The Holiday Slasher Film That Never Was!

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Every horror site across the web has been talking about holiday horror films over the course of the past few weeks, with the most noteworthy of them being Silent Night, Deadly Night, Black Christmas and Christmas Evil.

But there’s one that I haven’t yet seen anyone mention, which could have a little something to do with the fact that it was never completed…

Christmas Slay

The story of this unmade horror film begins back in 1988, when a down-on-his-luck children’s TV show host named Joe Carruthers (above) was convinced by slimy agent Marty Brock to consider playing the lead in a Christmas film – though the specifics were intentionally kept under wraps. Out of work at the time, Joe agreed to meet with the director, who instantly offered him the part.

Shooting began in December of 1988, Joe under the false impression that the title of the film was Christmas Sleigh. In reality, it was a holiday slasher titled Christmas Slay, centered on a Creature from the Black Lagoon-like monster who terrorized and devoured children on Christmas Eve. Given his kid-friendly image, Joe was none too happy about the reality of the project, and tensions were an immediate part of the on-set experience.

Already disgruntled, Carruthers’ anger reached a boiling point during the filming of the movie’s climax, wherein he was to shoot the monster and then hack him up with an axe. Not much is known about the director of the film, other than that his name was Carl, but story goes that he allegedly instructed Joe to call the monster a ‘son of a bitch’ before dispatching him, which was to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

joe3

After refusing to speak the line, especially considering the fact that children were on set, Carruthers unceremoniously departed the film, which spelled the end of the project. With the departure of its star, production on Christmas Slay was immediately shut down, and a replacement star was never found.

The oddest part of this story is that nobody really knows what became of Joe Carruthers. While some reports indicate that he slipped into a depression and simply vanished from the spotlight, much more ludicrous ones suggest that he became none other than Santa Claus. Obviously, the latter explanation is quite silly, though many members of the Christmas Slay crew reported that a man who looked much like Santa was hanging around the set, and some even swear by the fact that they overheard ‘Santa’ pass the proverbial torch to the actor.

Whatever truly became of Carruthers may forever remain a mystery, though all we know for sure is that Christmas Slay simply wasn’t meant to be. To this day, the script still sits on a shelf somewhere, likely to never find its way in front of cameras again. A shame, since it sounded like a fun little monster movie.

*Many thanks to a tipster by the name of Ernest P. Worrell, for providing iHorror with this exclusive information.*

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Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

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The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

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lizzie borden house

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

Inside the Lizzie Borden House

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

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’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

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28 years later

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.

28 Days Later

The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.

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