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THEY Were in THAT Movie? Eight Actors Early Roles in Horror Films

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I’m sure at some point we’ve all been watching a movie and suddenly you recognize a now popular actor in a small role or in some b-movie and you exclaim to yourself, “Wait, THEY are in THIS movie?!” It takes you by surprise, and then when the shock washes off you, you hop on IMDB just to be sure what you saw was real… and when it is, you can’t believe how far they’ve come. Or how terrible they were. Or how stupid their haircut was. Let’s move on.

In a way, it’s fun to uncover the early works of now famous actors; the films some of them want you to forget. Not all of them are ashamed of their early works and even if they are a little ashamed, they seem to have a good sense of humor about it. Just for the sake of fun or to make some of you dig through old movies to catch a glimpse of these actors in early roles, I went ahead and listed some. After all, you gotta get your start somewhere, right?

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George Clooney in Return to Horror High
A year before he starred in Return of the Killer Tomatoes, George Clooney was catching his film debut in another ‘Return’ title. His role in Return to Horror High is nothing major, playing an actor playing a security guard in a movie… in the movie. I wouldn’t call this a breakout performance, but he didn’t phone it in either. In the film, his character Oliver walks off set after landing a bigger role and meets his demise (or does he?). Something about Clooney’s character walking off set because he thinks he is too good for it just seems fitting.

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Jennifer Aniston in Leprechaun
This one comes as no shock to anyone, since it’s not like it’s a big secret or anything. Her film debut in Leprechaun was quickly overshadowed by her role as Rachel in TV’s Friends a year later (even though Leprechaun was filmed two years prior to being released), which I’m sure is what people still remember her for. I can’t tell you what’s worse; this film or her acting in this film! Wakka Wakka!

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Leonardo DiCaprio in Critters 3
Leo was never seen as a child actor, even though he was in quite a films and television roles before hitting it big in theaters – and with teenage girl’s hearts – with Titanic. Which is probably a good thing, since we all know how child actors usually turn out when they grow up. Although if I had to guess how his career would have turned out, judging it based on this movie, I would not have guessed that he would go on to be one of the greatest and possibly most intense actors currently. So, the man who would go on to star in numerous Scorsese flicks and nearly steal almost every scene he is in as Calvin Candy in Django Unchained got his start in Critters 3; a film about tiny furball aliens from space that eat people. He truly is a man of many talents.

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Charlize-Theron
Charlize Theron in Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest
Before she would go on to steal the show from Tom Hardy as her character Imperator Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road, which let’s point out that one does not simply steal the spotlight from Tom Hardy in anything, Ms. Theron got her start like most actors did in the 80’s and 90’s; in really bad horror films. However, if you blink you could miss her, since she plays a crucial, major role as ‘Eli’s Follower’, which is even more fortunate for her since it’s uncredited. In case you couldn’t tell, that “crucial, major” part was total sarcasm. And since I’m being honest, I’m gonna admit that I kinda like this movie. It’s cheesy fun. She does get a close up and then raped and killed my corn tentacles, which takes hentai to a whole new level.

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Adam Scott in Hellraiser: Bloodlines
When Adam Scott played Will Ferrell’s brother Derek in Step Brothers, it wasn’t the first time he played a world class d-bag. That credit goes to his role as Jacques in Hellraiser: Bloodline. Ugh, even that name reeks of some dude-bro, caked in too much Axe body spray and wears sunglasses upside down on the back of his head. I have to hand it to him, he pulls it off here. Such a dramatic difference between this and his character on Parks and Recreations.

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Matthew McConaughey and Renee Zellweger in Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation
This is another one that should come as no surprise, since there was a whole stink about it when the movie first was released on video. At the time this movie was filmed, two unknown actors named Matthew McConaughey and Renee Zellweger starred in this movie, which was unfortunately shelved… until a few years later when both actors began seeing their rise in fame with A Time to Kill and Jerry Maguire. The film was immediately being prepared for a re-release when the actors agents (both were represented by the same company) threatened to sue the filmmakers, claiming it was exploiting their star’s new fame. Anyway, it came out and nobody cared. Say what you want about the film, but McConaughey is in full bonkers mode and it’s like the man is in a different movie than everyone else.

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Brad Pitt in Freddy’s Nightmares
The man whose private life is constantly exposed in trashy, weekly news magazines once starred in an episode of Freddy’s Nightmares. Episode 14 of the first season, called Black Tickets, Brad Pitt’s character Rick and his girlfriend are teenage lovers who leave Springwood. Their car stalls so they check into a hotel, but the hotel is run by sadistic hicks, so uh-oh, hijinks ensue! For being young and not having much under his belt at the time, his performance is honestly really good, but not his best. That honor goes his performance as Dick’s roommate Floyd from True Romance.

I know there are many, many more, like Johnny Depp’s debut in A Nightmare on Elm Street for example, but it may be too much for this list to contain. After all, we gotta save it for the sequel.

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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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