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iHorror Exclusive: “Scream: The TV Series'” Bex Taylor-Klaus says you’ll be surprised

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Sometimes as a journalist, having interviewed a few stars and directors, I can sense when someone has “it.” Not just the Hollywood “it” that agents and producers look for when casting yet another big-budget movie, but the “it” that marks the beginning of an actor’s great career in movies and entertainment.

Bex Taylor-Klaus has “it.”

With her signature short coiffure and velvety blue-eyes, Taylor-Klaus has never shied away from roles that go deeper than the words of a written page. In her first acting job in “The Killing,” she perhaps took on a role that most beginners in the business would think twice about doing: A young androgynous, homeless lesbian who is smart enough to survive, but just vulnerable enough to get herself into emotional trouble.

BEX8

Anyone that has binge watched the dark mystery on Netflix will tell you that Taylor-Klaus is the stand-out actress in that series, and brings everything and more to the role of “Bullet.”

In what might appear to be type-casting, Taylor-Klaus then decided to portray sexually curious Audrey in MTV’s highly successful series “Scream.” The movie-turned-series ends its first season on Tuesday, September 1, and Taylor-Klaus is being very secretive about the identity of the killer, but she does give iHorror a workable clue.

I got to talk to the star on the phone one afternoon while she was relaxing at her home in Hollywood, just after her 21st birthday. She says she celebrated by going to the beach and hanging out with friends, including a few of her fellow “Scream” cast members.

We talked about her role as Audrey in the series and how MTV is pushing the envelope and allowing characters, hers especially, to explore all aspects of individuality, specifically her same-sex attraction to another high school girl.

Audrey is not part of any clique. (MTV)

Audrey is not part of any clique. (MTV)

“She’s still figuring herself out,” Taylor-Klaus says. “And I think that’s something important that MTV’s doing, they’re highlighting the process of a teenager trying to figure herself out. She’s not ready for a label. She’s open about the fact that she fell for this girl.”

This is something that even the original films didn’t approach. Klaus says that her first experience watching the Wes Craven classic came later in life, with a group of people, but she didn’t really appreciate it until a few years later.

“I saw the first one when I was sixteen,” she said. “But, it didn’t really count ‘cause I only saw the first one, and it was sort of a situation where we were all hanging out; we weren’t paying a lot of attention. I finally watched them all in chronological order, all together when I was nineteen, it took me a little while, but I fell completely in love with them.”

"Scream: The TV Series" Finale is Sept. 1

“Scream: The TV Series” Finale is Sept. 1

However, Taylor-Klaus has her favorite in the series. She says that the original is probably the best. Each have their own charm, but “Scream 4” really changed the rules and made the series fresh again.

As with most of us, Taylor-Klaus is a horror movie fan. She loves the genre and wants to continue to be a part of it. This fall, she will appear along-side Vin-Diesel in the movie “The Last Witch Hunter,” and she just wrapped on an unsettling supernatural film titled “Discarnate,” about the legend of the “soul eaters.”

“I love doing the horror genre,” she says. “It’s been so much fun.”

I asked Taylor-Klaus which Horror movies are her favorites. She is a big fan of the classics, but in true form, she also enjoys those that are a little darker and more character driven than the standard fare, “I love the classics like Halloween and Friday the 13th. I actually liked Cabin in the Woods. Oh, and I love ‘Honeymoon,’” she adds.

As for the identity of “Scream’s” killer, Taylor-Klaus knows who it is, and says you will be really surprised. But she is not giving me the answer. However, she does give us a clue on where to find out if you can’t wait until Monday night to tune in and see the bloody finale for yourself.

Who is Ghost Face this time?

Who is Ghost Face this time?

“I’ve only seen one fan theory on the internet that has gotten it right. There were a few who were close, but I’ve really only seen one so far that has gotten it completely spot-on.”

Taylor-Klaus will probably never portray a character based on a simple archetype or proven cinematic characteristic. And she is not frightened of being type-cast, unless it’s a ditzy, hot, dumb girl. She says she will continue to take roles which are multi-layered and may threaten her comfort zone, and she is certainly not averse to doing humor.

“I want to keep doing dark, gritty, real drama,“ she tells me, “I wanna do some comedy, because I love comedy. Seriously, I love comedy, I love watching it, I love playing with it, and I’d love to get a chance to do it more. But, I think the biggest thing I want to do is movies. I wanna do these dark movies filled with meaning and passion and…I love the dark things.”

Suspicious gaze

Suspicious gaze

“Scream” may not be the darkest role for the young and talented actor, but she does drench Audrey with a lot of herself. Taylor-Klaus likes to draw, “doodle” she calls it, sometimes designing tattoos on the fly. The producers of “Scream” said she could take one of Audrey’s props and give dimension to the character that way.

She chuckles when she says, “If you ever get a close-up look of Audrey’s messenger bag, there are her drawings all over it. They gave me a silver pen, they gave me the bag and they’re like, ‘have at it, do Audrey.’”

Bex Taylor-Klaus

Bex Taylor-Klaus

Whether or not Audrey will be back for season two of “Scream,” won’t be known until after its season one finale. But Taylor Klaus is very much in love with her career, her choices and her fans. And these qualities only add to the starlets “it” factor.

“I like when people enjoy what I put out there. There’s that little twinge of pride, like ‘hey, all that work I put into this is not for nothing,” she says, “I like when people are happy.”

It is that attitude and commitment to the craft that gives the young actress the “it” I’ve been talking about. Casting agents and directors will certainly find an award-winning star in Taylor-Klaus if they call on her for a daring and multi-dimensional role.

I asked her what ring tone she uses for everyday calls. She laughs, thinks for a moment and replies, “Circus.” Then begins to sing it to me over the phone. I think to myself, she better get used to that sound, it is what she will hear during some future award season.

The season one finale of “Scream: The TV Series” airs Tuesday, September 1 at 10/9c on MTV.

 

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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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