Welcome back horror fans! How is December treating you? I must say, I'm not feeling the nip at my nose that the month usually brings but that's climate change for you. If you're missing that chill as well, well don't fret because I happen to have a Horrific Recap for you that will chill you to the bone. Let's not waste any time, go on and grab that fright pillow and hold it tight—a little tighter now, as we recap on some of the horror that occurred last week, starting with Sunday, December 12, 2021.
December 12 - Sunday
Horror got off to a very sad start last week when it was announced by her son Christopher Rice, that author and horror icon Anne Rice had passed away.
Born in New Orleans in the year 1941, the life that Anne Rice would experience growing up would form the backdrops of her early writing career, starting back in 1976 with the publication of her first novel, Interview with the Vampire. In the 1980s, Anne Rice would continue her writings, expanding on the vampire universe she had created in Interview with the Vampire. What would later become called The Vampire Chronicles, became the platform on which Rice rose in the genre of horror.
In her later writings, Anne Rice would steer away from vampires, focusing more on projects that involved witchcraft, ancient Egypt and some involving fictional tales that took place during the life of Jesus Christ. Still vampires, more specifically the tales of Lestat, are what would make the ultimate legacy of Anne Rice and a well-earned legacy at that. Rice's son Christopher would follow in his mother's footsteps becoming quite the name in horror himself.
Before her passing Anne Rice was still going strong in the genre she has had so much influence in. Earlier this year she was a producer for the television adaptation of her novel, Interview with the Vampire. Anne Rice was 80 when she passed.
December 13 - Monday
You'll have to forgive me for not including this video in last week's Horrific Recap, but here now, for your viewing pleasure is a first look at game play from the upcoming Evil Dead: The Game.
Sit down with Geoff Keighley as he talks with Tim Willits from Saber Interactive and actor Bruce Campbell, to discuss the latest in the much anticipated Evil Dead: The Game., everything from characters, features, weapons and of course blood.
Featuring the voice talents of Bruce Campbell, Dana DeLorenzo, Ray Santiago and Betsy Baker, Evil Dead: The Game will be available to those eager to play on PC, Xbox and PlayStation next year in February.
December 14 - Tuesday
Death Breed arrives on DVD while simultaneously enjoying its digital release.
The horror anthology film from Bayview Entertainment is available today and ready to join your horror DVD collection. From director Ben Dixon and writer Vaton Hadley, Death Breed will tell numerous tales of fright and terror, while starring some of horror's biggest names like Gunnar Hansen and Kane Hodder.
The horror keeps on coming in Death Breed with cameos from horror icons like Linnea Quigley and Lloyd Kaufman. Death Breed is available on DVD and digital release now!
December 15 - Wednesday
Ben Schwartz joins the cast of Renfield, the upcoming project from Universal that will center around the lunatic from Bram Stoker's classic novel, Dracula.
No word yet as to what his role will entail but we can rule out Dracula and the title role of R. M. Renfield, as those castings have already been announced.
Schwartz will join Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage and Awkwafina for the Dracula-related tale, that could be shaping up to be one of the more humorous horror tales coming out of Universal lately. Directed by Chris McKay and written by Ryan Ridley and Robert Kirkman, Renfield will more than likely begin filming next year with a release date that could be more towards the end of 2022.
December 16 - Thursday
Originally scheduled for an early February release next year, Scott Derrickson's The Black Phone will move its theatrical release date to June.
With the threats of omicron very much on the rise, it could be a smart move for The Black Phone to enjoy a summer release date, rather than an uncertain February release that could see theater audience attendance at a low.
Adapted from a short story by horror author Joe Hill, The Black Phone, written by C. Robert Cargill, will star Ethan Hawke, Jeremy Davies, James Ransone and Mason Thames. Fans like myself that are eagerly anticipating the film's arrival, will have to wait a little longer, at least until June 24, 2022.
I was just talking to a friend recently about Danny Elfman/Oingo Boingo and now here we are with some spooky news about one of Hollywood's most accomplished composers.
Danny Elfman, a walking MasterClass of music, if there ever was one, will join Tim Burton and Netflix in bringing to new life, the tale of Wednesday Addams. It will be no easy feat for Elfman, who will have to capture the social awkwardness and changes only the spookiest of daughters can experience.
Wednesday will be one of many projects that Elfman and Burton have collaborated on in the last century, and if the past is of any revelation as to what's to come, I feel it is safe to say that the music and sounds of Wednesday will be top-notch.
Starring Jenna Ortega, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, Riki Lindhome and now the music of Danny Elfman, Wednesday will premiere sometime next year on Netflix.
December 17 - Friday
Ernie Hudson sheds more light on the upcoming Ghostbusters video game, while attending the CelebFanFest Film Festival in San Antonio, Texas.
Reported back in October, developer IllFonic of Friday the 13th: The Game and Predator: Hunting Grounds fame, announced that they were creating a new Ghostbusters game but as to what the game would include? Fans were left in the dark.
Fast forward to Friday, December 17 and new news comes forward that the game is at the very least, in development and moving forward. At CelebFanFest, Ernie Hudson did confirm that he had been in touch with the game's developers and he had, "... just got an e-mail because we’re doing another video game. They’re scheduling it now to do the recording and I’m not too sure who’s going to do it."
More Ghostbusters is surely on the way whether its books, films or video games, and who could forget the digital release of Ghostbusters: Afterlife in January!
In a startling new announcement on YouTube, Dead by Daylight revealed that Ringu, the Japanese horror film that inspired the American remake The Ring, would be the next chapter in the hit horror gaming experience.
The brief video did not give away much--my phone rang shortly after...spooky, but those that enjoy the horror survival experience should have no problem running from Ringu killer Sadako, though not confirmed yet.
December 18 - Saturday
If your are not following Rob Zombie's Instagram, then you my friend, are missing out horribly on all the news and updates from the hellbilly's latest film, The Munsters.
In his latest posting, Rob Zombie was eager to show fans the return of Grandpa Munsters' favorite chair. Grandpa's electric chair will be featured in the new film and while similar in look to the 1960's prop it was based off of, this chair looks more comfortable for Grandpa with the addition of padding on the backrest.
The original electric chair from The Munsters television series that ran for two seasons back in the mid-1960s, was sold just last month at auction on November 5.
NECA has released a stop motion video of their An American Werewolf in London figures and it is something to see.
The video starts off with the weaponized and fully suited-up Nightmare Demon that just became available for purchase, before ramping up the horror with the disturbing transformation of human into werewolf.
The short video from NECA, the leader in pop culture action figures, is enough to get any American Werewolf fan excited. Watch as David Kessler quickly transforms before your eyes into the snarling and horrifying werewolf that only Rick Baker could create. The Ultimate Kessler Wolf figure has been available to fans since November and the Ultimate Nightmare Demon figure just became available and is currently shipping to stores awaiting your purchase.
Well horror fans, that's all the scary news I have for you with this week's Horrific Recap. The Christmas holiday is almost here and I don't know about you but I sure can feel all this holiday cheer in the air. It makes it real hard to keep a scary mindset. That's all for this week but I'll see you back here at Horror Junket next week, when I'll have another Horrific Recap waiting for you. Be good and remember to always let out a ho-ho-horrific scream, whenever possible. Take care horror fans.
