John Landis has sold the remake rights for An American Werewolf In London to Dimension Films, Bloody Disgusting reports. Dimension is the film company that brought us Grindhouse, Sin City and the Halloween and Scream film. As a werewolf fan the original is very close to my heart, but I had always assumed that for most people, AWIL was probably just an obscure horror /dark comedy with an abrupt ending. Apparently not! I’ve had a number of news submissions on this, and even Perez Hilton posted about it. No word yet on when /how they intend to bring this remake to life, but Dimension have taken on a huge responsibility if they think they’re going to one-up the definitive cinema werewolf transformation scene.
Category: Film, Television & Music
Believe it or not, there are werewolf movies other than “An American Werewolf in London”.
AV Club’s “Hater” Rips on Teen Wolf Remake
I’m a big Fan of the Onion’s non-satirical (but often hilarious) media / culture magazine, The AV Club. One column I read with particular glee is Amelie Gillette’s The Hater, which is basically an outlet for the acerbic Amelie to patronize the living hell out of ridiculous pop culture nuggets. Yesterday she focused her hate-beam on MTV’s recently-announced effort to reboot Teen Wolf as a series (this is apparently a different thing than the Warner Bros. remake mentioned last week). If you like werewolves and snark at the same time, check it out, and don’t for get to read the comments thread. So good.
Teen Wolf Remake In The Works
Hollywood, I hate you and yet I love you at the same time. How can this be? According to Moviehole, Warner Bros is looking for writers to pen an updated script on which to base a remake of Teen Wolf. It seems they’re not sure whether the film should be an updated remake or a “son of Teen Wolf” continuation, but two things are for sure: it’s going to be cheesy as hell, and I am going to have to see it.
Grandma, What Big Teeth You Have
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.
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.