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Freddy vs Jason vs Ash – The Horror Battle of the Ages! – iHorror

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The three most sacred icons of Horror meet together in a solemn cacophony of bright-red massacre and dripping gore!  This is a comic book event no fan will want to miss as Ash takes on both the Camp Blood Killer and the insidious Springwood Slasher. This is Freddy vs Jason vs Ash, the unholy trinity of terror come together in a battle royale to the (gruesome) death!

 

The film studios may not have seen any potential in such a project, but luckily for fans we get the violent conclusion to the ultimate slasher brawl we’ve been craving.

 

image via bloody-disgusting

 

You know it as well as I do – this is a slasher fan’s dream come true! Just the thought alone is enough to make our skulls explode! But does it live up to the hype? Join me, Manic Exorcism, as we take a look back at a rare edition of horror’s fetid history and explore the legendary saga of  Freddy vs Jason vs Ash.

If you’re seeking carnage, look no further! Guts and gore pile up quickly as you flip through the dripping pages of each sizzling issue of this titanic horror masterpiece. It’s a full-on horror extravaganza! But pitting three of horror’s most beloved franchises into one coherent story could not have been a simple task, and yet the fiendish minds over at Wildstorm and Dynamite Entertainment made it happen in a gruesomely fun way.

 

Image via Wildstorm

Background to Freddy vs Jason vs Ash

Growing up in the 80’s there were two names that haunted the world of horror movies – Freddy and Jason. That’s not to say none others were less important, but there was something about those two guys that had us kids hooked. There were even gangs – we didn’t have teams, we had gangs back then – dedicated to one or the other franchise. You were either a Freddy fan or Jason fan, yeah stupid I know, but we were in Third Grade and had every right to be stupid.

Who would win a fight should the two killers ever meet for a bloody show down? All the Fred heads knew the Springwood Slasher would win. Meanwhile all the disciples of Jason unwaveringly knew their unstoppable juggernaut would crush Freddy.

Image via Nightmare on Elm Street Companion

 

Then – oh my God! – something happened that changed the game. They killed Freddy! Jason fans had a moment of triumph as they pointed and laughed at the opposing religion’s dead god!

 

image via Devin-Francisco

 

The skies split open betwixt rumbling peals of thunder as lightning snaked across bruised clouds. Victory was ours and Valhalla shone upon our monkey-bars – a flimsy but appreciated fort at recess. But our victory was short lived because the masters of Hell came forth to obtain our hero as well. Both gangs were without either Freddy or Jason now.

 

image via Destky nabytek

 

Something happened though, a reward for our childish faithfulness as it were. It was a sign found at the end of Jason Goes to Hell. Those familiar with the movie will remember the best part of the entire experience – which God knows isn’t the movie itself – is at the very end. Soon after Jason is dragged down to Hell all that remains is his iconic hockey mask. Fans on both sides jumped out of their skins when the equally iconic razor-tipped glove reached out of the ground and pulled the hockey mask away. Down to Hell.

 

image via den of geek

 

Freddy vs. Jason was a certainty! Little did we know we would have to wait a whole decade for it to finally happen. So much time elapsed that we questioned if it even would. Then August 13, 2003 the long-awaited Freddy vs. Jason was released, but to mixed reactions. It’s not a bad movie per say, and it’s certainly fun, but there were elements to that film that simply weren’t faithful to either franchise. Overall, was it a fun movie? Yes it was, and it can be enjoyed.

 

Freddy and Jason art by Rick Melton

 

Once the credits rolled a sequel was already expected. Speculations buzzed around the rumor-mill like angered hornets. Where could either franchise go after bringing both horror killers together at long last? Would other franchises be brought in too? Would we see Halloween or Texas Chainsaw Massacre mix into Crystal Lake or Elm Street? What about Evil Dead?

 

image via Adventures in Poor Taste

 

Robert Englund himself had approached New Line with a (BRILLIANT) continuation pitch. A pitch he shared with me when I met him at Monsterpalooza earlier this year.

I held my issue of Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash in hand all ready for him to sign – an autograph to stand proudly beside Kane Hodder’s, because by God, Kane is Jason when I read that comic – Englund took the comic, admired it for a moment, then told me of the movie that almost happened.

 

image via, Manic Exorcism, at Monsterpalooza 2017

 

“I had this idea to bring Bruce (Campbell) in for part 2,” Englund told me. “I even had the idea for the poster. Bruce would have me in a headlock in one arm, and Jason locked in the other arm. The tagline for the movie would be ‘Keeping the world safe from sequels’ but the studio didn’t like it.”

Any idea why? They told Robert Englund they didn’t want to kill Freddy off. Now how many movies have there already been where Freddy does die in one fashion or another? “You brought me back by dog piss in one movie,” he argued. The studio thought remaking both Freddy and Jason would be a better plan though.

It would seem Freddy vs Jason vs Ash would never see the light of day.

 

image via comic explorer

 

As luck would have it someone did like Englund’s idea and thought it was perfectly awesome – and turned it into the comic run we’re discussing now. It may be in comic book form, but don’t let that distract you from how incredible Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash really is.

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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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