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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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‘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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