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Lin Shaye: Telling a Story with the Godmother of Horror

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“I don’t remember exactly when I met Robert {Englund},” Shaye began reminiscing. “I remember being very excited, though, when I found out 2001 Maniacs was going to happen and that I would be working with him. He’s a graduate of the Royal Academy, classically trained, and he’s just brilliant. Nobody can talk about as many things as Robert and really know what they’re talking about. Music, art, opera, literature.  He is truly a renaissance man in his own right. So I was totally fascinated by him and so we became friends.”

Shaye and Englund played Granny Boone and Mayor Buckman in Tim Sullivan’s remake of the H.G. Lewis classic about the cannibalistic citizens of a small southern town who appear once a year like a psychotic Brigadoon to feast on the flesh of anyone they can lure across the city limits. She enjoyed the experience of working with Englund in the film so much and gushed her admiration of his dedication.

“I love working with him. He’s as dedicated to getting the moment right as I am and I’m not sure I can say that for a lot of actors. And his focus is fabulous. Robert is a true, true actor.  And I have great respect for him. And I adore him as a friend. We don’t see each other frequently, but the affection is there for both of us.”

 

2001 Maniacs also marked the first time she met and worked with a young actor by the name of Adam Robitel, the man who would later direct her in the upcoming Insidious Chapter 4.

“Can I say a bad word?” Lin asked me as we were talking about Adam’s role. After my complete assurances that it was okay, she dryly laid it on the line. “His character was fucking Jezabelle the sheep in that movie. And boy has he come a long way, baby. We had dinner at this little Chinese restaurant in Toronto while filming and I think there was just a real communion of friendship at that moment. It was just one of those lovely dinners where you share real thoughts and just kind of commune with each other. So I’ve always felt really close to Adam. He can float in and out of your life and your relationship doesn’t become less.”

A few years before 2001 Maniacs, Lin had worked with Tim Sullivan on another film titled Dead End. The seriously dark and twisted horror/comedy takes place on Christmas Eve. The Harrington family is one their way to spend the holiday with extended family. Little do they realize they’ve got a date with Death. As the night spins wildly out of control, family secrets are spilled and ties are broken as one by one, the Harringtons die. Shaye played the role of Laura Harrington, matriarch of the clan. The movie never had a wide release in theaters, but it collected a loyal and eager following, including one super fan who showed up with Sullivan for a party at Lin’s house a few years later.

“So, Tim was coming over and I don’t know how he knew James Wan, but James said he’d really love to meet me. So he came over, and I had an extra copy of the movie and I gave him one of my copies. We chatted; he’s fairly shy. He didn’t stay very long, but a few weeks went along and he called and asked if I wanted to be a part of a video that he was shooting as a prequel to an Xbox release which is crazy. I don’t even really know what that means. But that’s what it was.”

Shaye agreed to do the video and when she arrived on set, she also met Leigh Whannell and Mike Mendez. The video was called “Doggie Heaven” and Shaye played an old, grandmotherly type woman with “big boobs and a big butt and dog named Miss Marple.” She loved it and she loved working with Wan and Whannell and Mendez.

It was a few months later that Lin received a call from Wan to ask if she’d be interested in another role.

“He said, ‘we’re trying to decide if we’re going to call it in Insidious or The Further,’ and I said, ‘I think Insidious is the better title. So he sent me the script and I read it in bed.  And I remember when I put the script down I was shivering. It was so upsetting the way it was written. Leigh is a fantastic writer. The scenes that he sets…it’s real literature. He doesn’t just give you stage directions. It’s a real story. The narrative is almost as strong as the dialogue. So when I finished it, I was so nervous about it that I literally took it downstairs and put it in a closet. And the next day, I called James and I said I’d love to be in it.”

It was a decision that would change her life in many ways.

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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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