Saturday, November 7

• The Weinstein Company Really Wants to Make a Hellraiser Remake

  Despite pushing back production on Halloween 3-D due to possible financial woes within the company, The Weinstein Company is still keeping its fingers crossed about getting a Hellraiser remake off the ground after two years of attempts. At the American Film Market, ShockTillYouDrop reports that The Weinsteins included a synopsis for the remake, listing no director or writer but creator Clive Barker as Executive Producer in their AFM guide.

  The re-telling of Clive Barker's classic horror masterpiece. Based on Barker's critically acclaimed novella The Hellbound Heart, Hellraiser tells the story of an unfaithful wife who attempts to assist her dead lover in his escape from hell. Having lost his earthly body to a trio of forsaken demons — lead by one of the most enduring horror characters of all time, Pinhead — he must force his former mistress to bring him the necessary human sacrifices to complete his body. Clive Barker's Hellraiser promises to be a terrifying journey into the darkest corners of the soul.

  Producer Bob Weinstein told Variety in September that he was planning to go "back to doing what I do best," which apparently means sequels for franchises like Scream, Spy Kids, and a Hellraiser sequel in 3-D. Weinstein seemed confident that financing for the sequels wouldn't be a problem.

  There is no question that financing is readily available to produce and market these films. I am eager to expand our scope in the 3D business.

  Looks like he is doing just that.

  
  

  Posted 11/07/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Robert Weinstein | Clive Barker | Hellraiser

Thursday, October 1

• Weinstein Co. Halts Halloween 3D Pre-Production

  According to Deadline Hollywood, The Weinstein Co. has decided to put the brakes on pre-production of Halloween 3D. The follow-up to Rob Zombie's recent Halloween II was set to rehash the original Halloween franchise conceived by John Carpenter.

  Apparently, Bob Weinstein wanted to get the thing into production as quickly as possible, since new director Patrick Lussier is scheduled to work on another project starting in January. The sudden shut down probably leads many to conclude that the Weinsteins' recent financial woes may be responsible. But an unidentified source said that "Bob just felt it was rushing too fast."

  We're not sure whether to believe that, since Halloween II performed so poorly at the box office, but regardless, it now appears production on a third installment won't happen until next spring, if it even happens at all.

  Meanwhile, Dimension apparently has plans to re-release Zombie's Halloween II in selected theaters for midnight screenings on Halloween. Seriously? Midnight screenings should be reserved for classics and/or established cult films, not mediocre rehashes that aren't even a year old. We don't know about you, but we'd much rather see Carpenter's Halloween back on the big screen.

  
  

  Posted 10/01/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: John Carpenter | Patrick Lussier | Robert Weinstein | Rob Zombie | Halloween 3 | Halloween II | Halloween

Friday, September 25

• Neve Campbell Back for Scream 4

  Two months ago, David Arquette confirmed that he and wife Courtney Cox were returning for a fourth installment of the Scream franchise. There was doubt, however, as to whether Neve Campbell and Wes Craven would return. In all three previous movies, Campbell starred as the protagonist, Sidney, and Craven was behind the camera.

  Well, now it appears that one of those two question marks is gone. Variety says that Campbell has agreed to return for Scream 4.

  According to producer Bob Weinstein, Scream 4 will be the first in a new trilogy, although it was not specified whether the cast members had already agreed to return for the fifth and sixth installments. Production will begin sometime next spring. Weinstein also said that Scream is just one of the "revamp" projects he's at work on.

  I'm going back to doing what I do best.... I'm heading back to my franchise films. These films are our strength, and we are committed to doing them in style.... There is no question that financing is readily available to produce and market these films.

  Upcoming Weinstein productions include Spy Kids 4, Halloween III, and remakes of Children of the Corn, Short Circuit, and An American Werewolf in London. He also mentioned he is taking a greater interest in 3-D releases.

  
  

  Posted 09/25/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Courteney Cox Arquette | David Arquette | Wes Craven | Robert Weinstein | Neve Campbell | Scream 4

Monday, August 31

• Halloween 3-D to Arrive in 2010

  

  Despite Halloween II's box office returns only taking third place during its opening weekend, the Los Angeles Times reports that Halloween 3D is in development. Considering Halloween II was beaten by another horror movie, The Final Destination, which was shot in 3D, the Weinstein Co.'s decision to make a third Halloween in 3D is no surprise.

  Rob Zombie, who wrote and directed both of the Halloween remakes, claims he will "never" return for a third, and Weinstein Co. co-chairman Bob Weinstein says that they're negotiating with an experienced horror director to take over Halloween 3D who will bring a "different take" to the franchise. However, if Zombie hates the unnamed director's "take," Zombie's history shows that he may return anyway.

  
  
  Next Showing: Halloween 3D is scheduled to arrive in theaters summer 2010.

  Posted 08/31/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Robert Weinstein | Rob Zombie | Halloween | Halloween II | Halloween 3