The Latest on the Hellraiser Remake
The poster I've had hanging in my bedroom since 1988!!
Most remakes make the news after a writer, directer, and cast are announced. Well; most typical remakes that is!! But there’s nothing “typical” about Hellraiser (or its remake). When Hellraiser first hit theaters back in 1987 it took the world of horror by storm. With its seamless blending of gothic and modern horror, Hellraiser pushed the envelop on both storytelling and in graphic special f/x. So when the remake was announced back in 2006 there was a collective “fuck me” that reverberated from the horror world. Who, I repeat, WHO would have the balls to try and take on a modern classic movie written by a modern master of the genre??
When the remake was first announced back on November 10th, 2006 (see the original announcement here), Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury were attached to direct. Hhmmm. I suddenly felt my world shift under my feet. I mean these were the two responsible for the fucking brutal and incredible French flick Inside (2007). I hope you’ve seen that one; if not, stop what you’re doing and go see it RIGHT NOW. Bustillo and Maury gave us some truly disturbing images in Inside that I’m sure shocked Clive Barker himself. I figured if they’re gonna go forward with a remake they may as well go with directors who’ve proven they can deliver a strong story with TONS of gore and fucked-up images (sounds perfect for Hellraiser).
The original Pinhead ...
News of the remake suddenly dried up and there was the announcement that production of the remake was pushed back to a 2009 release. But even more discouraging was that Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan were brought on to write the screenplay. Now don’t get me wrong; I like some of their work (a lot). Melton and Dunstan wrote the Feast trilogy (love it), The Collector (really enjoyed), and wrote Saw 4-7 (not a fan). Its not that I don’t like them; I just don’t think they are the right people for the job. Sure they make gory movies, but they lack the depth and subtly needed for a Hellraiser flick. You need over-the-top, gonzo writing that’s fast paced and full of titties and gore? Dunstan and Melton are your guys.
... the new Pinhead design??
Then news surfaced that Bustillo and Maury dropped out of the project (uh-oh), but they were replaced with Pascal Laugier … the GENIUS behind 2008’s Martyrs. Hopefully everyone knows my thoughts on Martyrs: The BEST genre flick to come out in the last decade. It’s well written, gory, moody, has tons of atmosphere, and is miles above anything else done in the genre. I got excited again!! Not only was he gonna direct, he was gonna write the remake with another unknown writer. I really thought Laugier could pull off the Hellraiser remake!! Then on June 4th, 2009 Laugier dropped outta the project. WTF???
Director Pascal Laugier
So here we are in April 2010 and there is yet more news about the remake. Attached to direct now is Anthony DiBlasi, director of the extremely well-made Dread (2009). So far I think everyone they had attached to direct were great choices. I’m also guessing that Melton and Dunstan have dropped out of the project too (there’s no mention of the Hellraiser remake listed on their IMDB.com resumes). So here’s my idea: Hold onto DiBlasi. After his directorial debut with Dread he’s definitely a talent on the rise (plus he has served as producer on a few other Barker projects). And as far as a writer goes: How about throwing some cash at Barker himself. I really only think Barker could improve on a Barker story. Just a thought.
This gets my vote for the new Pinhead!!!
I’ll keep ya posted on any personnel changes as I learn of them. What do you think about the rich history of this remake project? It’s already been 4 years, 3 directors, and 2 writers since we first heard the announcement of the remake. What other curve balls could possibly be thrown at this production?? Leave your thoughts and let me know.
Please note that recent info has come up which proves DiBlasi WILL NOT be directing the Hellraiser remake. Please see my correction here.
I vote for Bert too! That pointy head itself is a weapon…add some pins! Dangerous! HELLRAISER is epic and I really don’t see how they could improve upon it. That said, an all muppet cast would have me paying theatre price!
You put an all muppet cast in anything and I’ll check it out. Maybe Romero should make a zombie-muppet epic (finally give us something worth watching again).
It is gonna be damn near impossible to top the original Hellraiser. Pascal Laugier was, I believe, the best choice for the job. After his work on Martyrs I think he’d be able to update the story while at the same time keep those elements that made it so kick ass. I also think he’d give us some truly disturbing visions. After seeing his Martyrs I REALLY wanna see his vision of Hell!!!
After watching Dread,I can tell Debliasi looks the movie. I’ll be looking forward to it.
I agree Ifaz … I’d have been happy with Pascal (Martyrs) Laugier as well; but DiBlasi is a great choice.
O.K., I hope this effort is finally stabilized and let’s just make the damn thing already! I am geting stoked to see, with Clive’s blessing, what this updated masterpiece will look like 20+ years later and with a budget. It will be tough to top but it is looking like it could come close and compliment the original. Seldom do I have high hopes for a remake but since Clive is involved in a production and advisory role there is hope. Has anyone checked out the Barker documentary trailer yet?: http://www.berlinger-sinofsky.com/#/berlinger/in_production/raising_hell_the_visions_of_clive_barker
If you have, what do you think?
I still have mixed feelings about the Hellraiser remake. I feel pretty confident about it because of the talent they have attached to it (even the ones who are no longer with the project). It seems they are really trying to get some genuine talent to direct. I was really excited & then disappointed to see Pascal Laugier signed on and then drop out of the project. But Anthony DiBlasi (directed 2009′s Dread) is a real talent as well. Plus, as you mentioned, the entire project has Clive Barker’s blessing.
BUT … its HELLRAISER …. how the fuck can you even be as good as, yet alone top, the original??? But I think its time to shit or get off the pot!!!
Lies.
You make a really compelling point in your monosyllabic response. If you’d like to contribute something constructive then please do so. If you have facts contrary to what I wrote I’d love to post them (giving you the credit) and correcting any errors if there are indeed any. But I stand next to my article on the Hellraiser remake and will continue too until I read otherwise.
Anthony DiBlasi will not be directing, he said so himself:
http://shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=14935
Thanks for the link … gonna clear it up right now!!
i heard that they are going to bring out to the movies may be hellraiser 9
I haven’t been able to find any news announcing yet another horrible Hellraiser sequel. I’m sure if there is one it’ll be another quickie cranked out directly to DVD.
I want someone else to play Pin Head in the remake.
I think this whole project just needs to be tanked. Is there ANY chance in hell this installment into the already dead franchise can be good. NO; absolutely not. It’s gonna be fucking horrible. They need to pull the plug on this one and the entire franchise.
i am absolutely disgusted by the thought of a remake of hellraiser first off the design of the new pinhead make up looks like a half assed version of the original seriously slashs and randomly placed pins that look like carpenter nails you minus well have the hammer from 13 ghosts running around with a golden box then in a glass house secondly look at all the other remakes we had to horrificaly sit back and watch yes there was a few great remakes but all the ones within the last 4 years have been everything short of their originals as my buddy put it “if it isnt broken dont fix it” your just going to make a mess of it… scratch the project and write your own damn story
I’m with ya 100% XitInk … HELLRAISER needs to be left alone. The fact that this remake has been kicking around for years and nothing has come from it proves (to me at least) that everyone who gets involved with it realizes that they could never do the original one justice. The most recent “team” hired to tackle the remake is the team of writer Todd Farmer (who wrote JASON X [yeah; the one in space], MY BLOODY VALENTINE remake, and the 2 MESSENGERS flicks) and director Patrick Lussier (who directed the DRACULA trilogy from the 2000′s and MY BLOODY VALENTINE remake). With this level of talent the HELLRAISER remake is gonna suck out loud!!
The hellraiser saga is an untouched resource that Hollywood hasn’t ruined by dipping their grubby little fingers in it and sucking the very life out of it by creating remakes that shatter the images that scared us shitless growing up. Rob Zombie did a decent job with the Halloween remakes, short of that I Spit on Your Grave is one of the only other remakes worth noting, the rest have been largely dissapointing at best. Think about it, that’s like Justin Beiber remaking Metallica’s Master of Puppets, simply WRONG! That said I was excited as shit to learn that it’s more of a back story on the world of the box and will not be a pathetic attempt to retell the story from the first film! This new movie in this new age of technology has the potential to bring back to life real terror and real excitement! All in all I am eagerly awaiting the reboot of the saga that has been a staple of true fear! \m/
I get what you’re saying EiSvox … I’d LOVE to see a reboot of the HELLRAISER franchise. But why call it a remake? If it’s gonna examine things the original film didn’t explore then it technically isn’t a remake … it’s just another sequel. I really believe the only person who’d be able to reboot the HELLRAISER franchise is Clive Barker himself. He’s the only one who’s trully close to the mythology and hidden story lines!!