Hey there horror fans and welcome back to Horror Junket for another rundown on the horror that occurred last week. This will be the last Horrific Recap for the month of January, and look how fast this year is going by, as we move onto a spooky February this coming Tuesday. Alright horror fans, if you haven't done so yet, grab that fright pillow tight--tighter now, as we take a look back at the horror that occurred last week.
January 30 - Sunday
Watcher, which enjoyed its Sundance premiere not too long ago, has been acquired by IFC Films for distribution, with Shudder along for the ride, providing the film with a streaming premiere on its service.
Written and directed by Chloe Okuno, who co-wrote the film along with Zack Ford, Watcher tells the story of Julia, a young woman who moves to Romania with her fiance when he finds better employment. Finding herself alone most of the day, Julia can't shake the feeling that she is being watched from afar.
Starring Maika Monroe, Karl Glusman and Burn Gorman, Watcher will most likely be available to watch in theaters later this year, while enjoying a digital release sometime after its theatrical release.
January 31 - Monday
Filming for the upcoming sequel Hocus Pocus 2 is complete and even better, a released window has been revealed.
Doug Jones took to Twitter to excitedly announce, “That’s a wrap on HOCUS POCUS 2!!!” while also telling his followers that his kooky zombie character, Billy Butcherson, “will see you this October 2022 on your Disney+!!”
The tweet has since been deleted from the actor's Twitter page but the fact remains that fans, old and new, will be able to check out Hocus Pocus 2 when it releases on Disney+ this Halloween season.
February 1 - Tuesday
Billy Summers, a limited series based on the crime novel by Stephen King, is in the works with J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot onboard to produce. Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz will help bring the project to life with Zwick attached to direct the series that could range between 6 and 10 episodes. No word yet on the role author Stephen King will have in the project.
Billy Summers will tell the story of Billy Summers, a hitman close to retirement who takes one last job that plants him in a small town under the guise of a writer. It's up to Billy Summers to take out the rat that could bring down a whole mafia empire.
This isn't the first rodeo for Stephen King and J.J. Abram's Bad Robot, the production company having taken on many projects based off the author's works in the past. It will be exciting to see what comes of their new venture when Billy Summers begins production sometime this year, assuming someone picks it up.
A television series based on the video game American McGee's Alice will soon be in the works, the game's rights having recently been purchased by Radar Pictures.
David Hayter will write the upcoming project based on American McGee's work on Alice and its sequel game Alice: Madness Returns. Hayter is kind of a big deal himself when it comes to awesome comic book adaptations, the legend having written the 2000 hit X-Men and it's sequel, X2: X-Men United, as well as Watchmen, and oh, he's the f***ing English voice of Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid.
American McGee's Alice, as it is currently titled on IMDB.com, is still in early development with a production date that is as of yet, unknown.
February 2 - Wednesday
Paul Kelman, the actor that would become best known for his role in the 1981 slasher My Bloody Valentine, has passed away today at the age of 72.
Born in London, England in September of 1949, Paul Kelman wouldn't catch the acting bug until adulthood, when he would secure the role of Andre in 1971's prison film Caged Men. This feature film appearance would lead to a handful of roles that would come in the next decade. In the fall of 1980, Kelman would nab the role of T.J., the mayor's son, a teen who would go on to survive the killing spree in My Bloody Valentine. The roles after My Bloody Valentine were few and far between, with Kelman taking on mostly television roles in series such as Street Legal and Class of '96.
Paul Kelman would go on to do a few more appearances, mostly for My Bloody Valentine projects that would come about in 2009 and 2021. He will be forever known for his role as T.J., in a film that horror fans will continue to watch for years to come with Kelman's performance living on, even after the actor's passing.
Shohreh Aghdashloo joins the cast of Chris McKay's upcoming Dracula spinoff, Renfield, in line to play Ella, a highly feared and respected crime lord. Aghdashloo joins a well-stacked cast that will have the actress starring along other top talent like Nicolas Cage, Nicholas Hoult, Awkwafina and Ben Schwartz.
Universal Pictures will produce Renfield with Chris McKay directing the feature film written by Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ridley. The film is currently is production and filming in New Orleans, Louisiana with no known window of release just yet.
February 3 - Thursday
A trailer for the upcoming horror demon flick, The Exorcism of God, has released to YouTube for your viewing pleasure.
From Saban Films comes The Exorcism of God, a demon heavy horror film that will tell the story of Peter, a priest and exorcist who is still haunted by a demon-purging experience gone wrong, so many years ago. Seeking redemption in present day Mexico by helping those less fortunate, Peter will once again have to battle the demon that got that the best of him all those years ago.
Written and directed by Alejandro Hidalgo, who co-wrote the film with Santiago Fernández Calvete, The Exorcism of God will star Will Beinbrink, María Gabriela de Faría, Raquel Rojas and Joseph Marcell. Yes, that Joseph Marcell. The Exorcism of God will enjoy its Mexico premiere later this month on February 17.
February 4 - Friday
From Dread Central comes Dreadlines, a weekly news show that will look at some of the week's biggest horror headlines, brought to you by Mary Beth McAndrews.
This week's Dreadlines will feature upcoming horror like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Boogeyman and the recently announced sixth entry in the Scream franchise. I won't spoil the whole video but I encourage all my horror fans reading this today, to take a few minutes out of your day and check out Dreadlines. Let us give new horror our support!
February 5 - Saturday
Patrick Wilson sat down with Ash Crossan over at Screen Rant to discuss his upcoming film, Moonfall, and was kind enough to give horror fans a treat for Insidious 5.
Being the director for Insidious 5 has given Patrick Wilson some great insight on the fifth entry in the supernatural franchise. During his interview with Crossan, the actor/director did confirm that his terrifying, directorial debut would begin filming later this year in the springtime. Along with writer Scott Teems, Leigh Whannell and horror powerhouse Blumhouse, production of the fifth Insidious film is going along smoothly, according to Patrick Wilson.
Well horror fans, that's the end of this Horrific Recap. It's now February and with a new month, comes new horror that is sure to have you running for the lights. Be sure to stop by here again next Sunday where I'll have another horror rundown for you, full of all the horrifying treats that happened throughout the week. Until next time take care and don't forget to show your neighbors just how much you love them, and horror, with a bloodcurdling scream in the middle of the night.
