John Tebbutt of Fast Forward Weekly recently posted a great article about the history of the Little Red Riding Hood story as told in various films over the past 80 years. While not strictly about werewolves, it’s a great look at the role that “wolves”, both animal and human, have played in motion pictures. Worth a read, and it might help you expand your rental list.
Category: Film, Television & Music
Believe it or not, there are werewolf movies other than “An American Werewolf in London”.
Paranormalia
Animation Magazine has a bit on Paranormalia, an animated adventure comedy series about a werewolf boy who turns into a human during the day.
The series, set for 52 11-minute segments, is aimed at the 8-12 age range and tells the story of a timid boy werewolf named Hunter who becomes a hyperactive human during the daytime. He spends most of his time trying to find a cure for his strange condition while getting caught between his competing natures.
Paranormalia is presently in development, with no word on which network might run it, or when it might air. When I know, you’ll know!
In Case You Missed Them: “Ginger Snaps” Sequel Reviews
In the ghastly event that you’ve never seen them, Film Threat‘s Mariko McDonald has posted excellent reviews of Ginger Snaps Unleashed and Ginger Snaps Back, the sequel and prequel to one of the best werewolf movies ever. Seriously, if you’ve never seen the Ginger Snaps trilogy, hie thee to your nearest video rental place, Netflix account or torrent tracker and check them out. You might want to book the afternoon off. These films should be required viewing for any werewolf fan, especially the Canadian ones. And damn it all, if you torrent these movies and discover that you like them, please
Gladiators V Werewolves to be a Trilogy
According to Screen, Edge of Empires is going to be the first film in a Gladiators V Werewolves trilogy.
Edge of Empire is the first part of epic action trilogy Gladiators Vs Werewolves and is set in AD160 when Rome occupied Britain. It is a story about the discovery of a ferocious tribe of werewolves who are captured and made to fight against the gladiators of ancient Rome.
Icon Film Distribution has acquired UK and Australasian rights to distribute the film, and other territories have either been sewn up as well, or are on the way (no word on North America yet). Production on Edge of Empires starts later this year, and will feature make-up & creature effects by Shaune Harrison.
Three “13 Hrs” Werewolf Costumes Being Designed By Lifecast
It looks like the werewolves in the Tom Felton / Isabella Calthorpe film 13 Hrs. are being designed by Lifecast, a family-run special effects / lifecasting / creature costume studio just north of London. According to this post on the Lifecast site, the Lifecast crew were charged with “creating 3 werewolf costumes in 3 weeks….. from scratch”. Accompanying the post are several photos of Isabella Calthorpe sitting for her head / body cast, which Lifecast will then use to turn her into a “she wolf”. Presumably the other two werewolves mentioned are Felton and Simon McCorkindale. Hopefully we’ll see some completed werewolf effects soon– based on the other work Lifecast has done, they really know their stuff. Thanks to Dig at The Werewolf Café for the link!
Curzon Midnight Movies Presents: An American Werewolf In London
Nadia from London’s Curzon Cinemas has alerted me to a midnight movie tribute to John Landis happening on June 26th:
CURZON MIDNIGHT MOVIES PRESENTS:
AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDONFri 26th June 9:30pm Bar, 11:30pm Films. A tribute to John Landis – the man who brought you ‘The Blues Brothers’, ‘Animal House’ and Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ video. Enjoy live music and a free cocktail in our themed ‘Slaughtered Lamb’ bar, before a special introduction to this ultimate cult classic on the big screen. Dress code: wolvish/nurse/backpacker. Tickets on sale now: £12/£9 members: 0871 7033 988 www.curzoncinemas.com
A midnight showing of American Werewolf In London in a theater that’s situated less than a quarter mile from the scene of the movie’s climax? Awesome!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs Video “Heads Will Roll” – Sweet Werewolf Dance Moves + Creative Gore
Courtesy of NME, here’s the video for the latest Yeah Yeah Yeahs single, “Heads Will Roll”. I’m a YYY fan so I would have liked this video even if it didn’t feature a bad-ass horror-style werewolf with Michael Jackson moves, and the way the (prodigious amounts of) gore is handled during the video’s second half is dazzling and inspired. Nice intestines, guy!
Heads Will Roll is the second track on the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs record, It’s Blitz.
Dread Central Scoops the “Werewolf” Series DVD Cover
Two weeks ago we were talking about the imminent release of the entire Werewolf TV series on DVD. Now it seems the folks at Dread Central have wielded their charm and managed to get an exclusive copy of the package’s cover art! Behold the glory, the beauty, the lycanthropy, the dramatic lighting:
The series is being remastered, repackaged and re-released by Shout! Factory on September 1st.
Tip to the entertainment industry: permit more exciting, beautiful re-releases like this one is shaping up to be, and you will induce people to use their credit cards instead of µTorrent or Transmission.
Thanks to Dread Central for obtaining this. One day I hope to be as cool and influential as you.
Gladiators V Werewolves Concept Art By Martin Rezard
Remember earlier in the week I was asking if anyone had a larger version of the Gladiators V Werewolves artwork I posted?
This is Longscar, created by Martin Rezard in zbrush and Photoshop. I found this posted on Creature Spot, a “gallery, a blog, and a spot for all creature fans to flock to.” Awesome site, awesome artwork and hopefully indicative of an awesome movie!
Ben Templesmith Talks About “Hoxford” Film Style and Dream Cast
MTV Splash Page has posted a short interview with Ben Templesmith, writer, artist and creator of “werewolf prison romance” comic Welcome to Hoxford. Templesmith talks about what a Hoxford film would look like if he was calling the shots.
“Well if it were me — and let’s be clear it’s definitely not up to me — you’d need someone who can really play with visuals and would be willing to use a lot less CGI and a lot more prosthetics/puppetry,” said Templesmith of the type of director he’d like to see on the film.
“I was heavily influenced on the creature side by the bad critters from ‘The Dark Crystal’” he continued. “But the book is pretty dark with a little nasty humour thrown in, so if they can keep that tone, I’d be happy.”
He also mentions the names of a few actors he’s imagined in various Hoxford roles, including Vin Diesel, Winona Ryder and Lance Henrikson. Werewolf prosthetics and puppetry instead of CGI? Lance Henrikson? Here’s hoping Chris Columbus is paying attention!