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Horror Pride Month: Christopher Landon on Fatherhood, ‘Happy Death Day’, & So Much More!

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It’s been a couple of months, now, since I sat down to chat with Christopher Landon for iHorror’s first ever Horror Pride Month celebration. He was preparing to fly out to New Orleans to begin filming on Happy Death Day 2,  but he was excited to take some time out of his very busy schedule to talk about what he thinks is an important subject.

“I want people who see my movies to know that the guy who comes up with that weird, fucked-up stuff in that movie they like is also gay,” Landon said. “He’s a gay man who is a husband and a father.”

Christopher, whose father was none other than television star Michael Landon, became a horror fan early in life and says he’s grateful that he grew up in the time of Romero, Carpenter, and Craven. It was Carpenter’s work that stood out the most for him, however, and he credits the horror master with shaping his desire to be a part of the industry.

“I remember going to the video store a lot when I was younger and I’d rent ten horror movies at a time,” he said, “but HalloweenThe Fog, and The Thing were always in a pretty steady rotation.”

It was only a matter of time before he’d be steadily working in the industry, himself, writing scripts for short films and making a name for himself. It wasn’t until 2007, however, that he would find his name on a major film release.

That film was Blood & Chocolate, but, he says, it was not really his film and he is still a bit bummed about it.

“I wrote such a fun movie but they took it in a very different direction,” Landon explained. “My movie was decidedly ‘poppier’. It still had that Romeo & Juliet element but it was set in a high school in the States. My vision was weirder and definitely quirkier.”

The studio brought in Ehren Kruger to work on the script and it was ultimately Kruger’s vision that made it to the screen. Still, he learned a lot, and another project he wrote landed the same year with a much more satisfying result. That film was Disturbia and Landon could not have been happier with how it turned out.

He points out that this is why he thinks so many writers eventually turn to directing. It allows them to completely follow their vision from start to finish and hold onto some control over the final outcome.

Unfortunately, having a script changed or disagreeing on the importance of a plot point is not the only issue for a gay man in the film industry. According to Landon, discrimination is alive and well, and he recalled two instances in particular that have stuck with him over the years.

The first involved a disagreement over a casting decision for a role. Landon had a definite idea of who the character was and who the actress should be, but a studio executive disagreed.

“I was interested in performance, and they were interested the way she looked,” Landon explained. “So this studio executive, in front of everyone else in the room says,’Yeah, but you don’t even know what a hot girl is.’ I remember, I leaned forward in the chair and said, ‘Because I’m gay?'”

The exec froze on the spot and attempted to backtrack but the damage had already been done and Landon was not quite finished with him.

“I was furious,” the writer/director continued. “I told him ‘Don’t think for a second that a gay man doesn’t know what a hot woman is. There’s a long history of gay men helping women look hot.'”

The experience left a mark on Landon who says that while he was making Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse he ran into a similar situation with the studio over some of the elements in the film including a Scout Leader who is obsessed with Dolly Parton and a homeless man who leads a Britney Spears sing-along.

Christopher Landon with Logan Miller, Tye Sheridan, and Joey Morgan on the set of Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (Photo by Jaimie Trueblood)

“I filled that movie with gay references,” he laughed. “I did those things because I like to bring my gayness into my work. Even if it’s not a character who is out, I’m still going to bring certain sensibilities to the table.”

The studio pushed back against some of these choices, and while they never said it, Landon said it was easy to figure out what they were thinking.

“They’ll never say ‘You’re making it too gay,'” he explained. “It’s all a reading-between-the-lines type of situation.”

There were better days to come for Landon, however, and he spoke fondly of working with Universal and Blumhouse while creating Happy Death Day, and his inclusion of a closeted gay character in the film.

In one of the films more memorable scenes, he and writer Scott Lobdell crafted a moment where Tree (Jessica Rothe) discovers that Tim (Caleb Spillyards), a frat guy who has been trying to get her to go out with him, is actually gay. Tree takes a moment in one iteration of the film’s time loop to tell Tim that she knows and that it’s okay to be himself.

Caleb Spillyards as Happy Death Day’s closeted gay character, Tim Bauer

“Universal was awesome and Jason Blum is the best,” he said. “The loved that I got to tuck in a message about helping someone come out of the closet and not be afraid of who they are. It was so nice to be able to do that in a movie and not have any push-back or concern.”

The scene resonated with audiences more than Landon anticipated and he pointed to one Twitter user who reached out to him to relate his own experience.

“He said he had always been unsure of himself and uncomfortable in his own skin,” Landon explained, “and then that moment happened and he saw audience members actually cheering and applauding and he realized that maybe it wasn’t as scary as he thought it was.”

He went on to say that ultimately visibility is key. The more someone sees something, the more comfortable they become with it. In fact, it’s this very philosophy that has been behind his prominent and open social media presence.

“It’s all there on social media and Instagram for people to see,” he said. “Myself, my husband, our son. I want them to see that we’re just like everyone else.”

Unfortunately, not everyone in the film industry is allowed to be so open, and as our discussion turned to the actors and actresses who are told to keep their sexual orientation a secret, Landon became heated.

“I’ve heard agents and management tell their actors to hide this part of themselves away and it pisses me off,” he said. “The whole point of being an actor is bringing part of yourself to the table but also inhabiting another person’s life. It’s crazy to me that people are told to hide and ignore a significant part of their life experience.”

When we talked more about issues of inclusion, the director’s passion about the subject was palpable.

“The LGBTQ community, like every other minority in this country, really knows the feeling of going out into the world and fearing for you life just for being who you are,” Landon explained. “I think that translates into the work, and the conversations that are going on right now about inclusion. We want Wakanda and we want more gay characters. We want stories told from a woman’s point of view and we want female superheroes.”

As our interview came to a close, Christopher became more introspective and thoughtful about the industry at large and the people who are working in horror today. He also seemed to come to a conclusion about his own involvement.

“There are a lot of queer people working in the horror business, and I don’t think it’s surprising at all, really,” he pointed out. “For me, it was a coping mechanism. I had so much fear inside me and writing horror helped exorcise some of that, I think. It’s been cathartic for me.”

Thankfully, that catharsis has been good for all of us in the audience, as well.

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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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