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INTERVIEW: Judah Lewis on Returning to ‘The Babysitter: Killer Queen’

Published

4 years ago

September 9, 2020

Judah Lewis is reprising his role as Cole from Netflix’s The Babysitter in the soon-to-be released sequel The Babysitter: Killer Queen and it would be an understatement to say that he’s excited for fans to see the next chapter in the franchise.

iHorror caught up with Lewis at a press junket this week where we talked about what it was like stepping back into this role.

As it turns out, murmurs and rumors of a sequel began almost immediately after the successful release of the first film. The filmmakers were knocked out by the viewer reactions, but even though the buzz was high, it was still several months before the project officially began moving forward. For Lewis, that meant it was the first time in his professional career that he would have the opportunity to return to a character he’d previously played.

“It was just so unbelievably exciting for me,” Lewis said, “because Cole is a character that’s so close to my heart and that I identified with so much and related to so much. To be able to bring him back to life and explore where he’s at in his life, now, and where his story went was so fun.”

Without giving too much away, Cole is struggling as the film begins because no one in his life believes what he tells them about the series of events that took place in the first film leaving him in a place that’s without a date even more vulnerable than the first film.

In fact, he’s come to the place where even he’s not sure that what he experienced actually happened. It’s a shaky foundation at best for someone already dealing with the constant trials of high school. Fortunately for Lewis and Cole that leaves a lot of room for growth.

“What’s so cool about this film and the first one as well is the massive character arc that happens which always the most challenging but the most fulfilling thing as an actor,” he explained. “In the first film, we see him kind of progress from boyhood to manhood in the course of a night. And then, because of the events that transpired post-the first film in this film, we see him kind of start out and be incredibly shaky and in the course of the film we see him step into his own shoes and become comfortable in his own skin.”

Lewis was also bolstered by the fact that almost the entire cast from the first film returned for its sequel. I won’t tell you how so as not to spoil the surprise of course, but for the actor, reuniting with his castmates only made the experience more exciting.

“They’re just the greatest people,” the actor said. “It’s the kind of thing where you’re working sometimes and it’s work, but on a Babysitter movie, it’s really not work. Everyone’s just playing around and performing their hearts out and improving and coming up with different things. It’s incredible. Everybody’s genuine excitement creates this electric energy in the film.”

Moreover, Lewis says it was fun to build upon the relationships that were established in the first film.

Though they were all out to kill him, the chemistry between the characters and the unlikely bonds he seemed to form with them throughout that first crazy film was undeniable. In The Babysitter: Killer Queen, we see those relationships ratcheted up to the next level without any pretense.

The icing on this production cake for Lewis, however, was the return of McG as director. As the actor explained, McG kept them on their toes throughout the shoot and the film is better because of it.

“He had this way of getting into a scene and he’s showing you all these references from old movies that perfectly kind of encapsulate what he wants certain scenes to feel like,” he pointed out. “Then he’s also coming in between takes and going to an actor and whispering something in their ear. Then you’re doing the next take and that actor will say whatever he told them to in the middle of the scene and it’s completely unexpected and it takes the scene in an entirely new direction and lets everyone kind of play off of each other. It creates this kind of really fun, energetic environment that is so apparent in the film.”

The Babysitter: Killer Queen is set to debut on September 10, 2020 on Netflix, and the next question is would Judah Lewis return for a third installment?

“I would be there tomorrow,” he said, laughing. “I just love these films so much. I love Cole as a character so much and I personally want to see where the next stage of his life takes him. I want to see him get through high school. I’m sure there are more demons out there for him to face.”

We shall see, Mr. Lewis. We shall see.

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

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Movies

Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

Published

4 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

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Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

Published

5 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

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Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

Movies

’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

Published

7 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

**Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes**

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.