PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Hellraiser was such a game changing horror film when it debuted in 1987 that there was no horror sub-genre for it, and there really still isn’t one now. Clive Barker has such a unique way of building a dark world that only he could bring the story back to its former glory. Spyglass Entertainment has announced a re-imagining of the nouveau classic with Barker himself as producer. Casting has already been a bit of a controversy as transgender actor Jamie Clayton was cast as Pinhead. It seems appropriate that Hellraiser still doesn’t fit in any gender construct or conventional category.
From the official press release
Spyglass Media Group, LLC (“Spyglass”) and Hulu have opened the puzzle box and are unveiling its cast for the loyal, yet evolved, re-imagining of Clive Barker’s 1987 horror classic, Hellraiser. It was announced today by Peter Oillataguerre, President of Production for Spyglass. The horror film stars Odessa A’zion (Grand Army, Mark, Mary, & Some Other People), alongside Jamie Clayton (The L Word: Generation Q, Sense8), who portrays the iconic character, Pinhead. Principal photography wrapped production.
Rounding out the cast are Brandon Flynn (13 Reasons Why, Ratched), Goran Visnjic (The Boys, ER), Drew Starkey (Outer Banks, Love, Simon), Adam Faison (Everything’s Gonna Be Okay, Into the Dark), Aoife Hinds (Normal People, Anne Boleyn) and Hiam Abbass (Blade Runner 2049, Succession).
Original creator Barker, alongside Marc Toberoff, come aboard as producers, joining Phantom Four’s David S. Goyer and Keith Levine. As previously announced, David Bruckner (The Night House, The Ritual) is directing from a screenplay by Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski (The Night House, Super Dark Times) with story by Goyer.
Oillataguerre said,
“Next year marks the 35th anniversary since Hellraiser first haunted our dreams. It’s only fitting to come full circle in collaborating with Clive, the original creator and master of visionary horror. We look forward to working with our partners at Hulu in bringing this unique take on the original to new audiences.”
Bruckner said,
“It’s been such an honor to have Clive onboard to help support and shepherd us through the incredible universe he created so long ago. Combined with a fearless and committed cast, including the amazing Jamie Clayton, who fully embodies the role as the Hell Priest, we’re aiming to create a very special new chapter in the ‘Hellraiser’ legacy.”
Goyer said,
“From the moment I first read ‘The Hellbound Heart,’ Clive Barker became one of my literary heroes. His work is transgressive and completely redefined the horror genre. Under the guiding hand of David Bruckner, we’re going back to the source and taking our inspiration from that original novella.”
Barker said,
“Having seen some of the designs from David Bruckner’s new ‘Hellraiser’ film, they pay homage to what the first film created, but then take it to places it’s never been before. This is a ‘Hellraiser’ on a scale that I simply didn’t expect. David and his team are steeped in the story’s mythology, but what excites me is their desire to honour the original even as they revolutionize it for a new generation.”
For over three decades, the Hellraiser franchise has reached cult favorite status with a universe that has spawned ten films, graphic novels and merchandise. The re-imagining of Hellraiser will debut exclusively in the U.S. on Hulu.
Oillataguerre and Chris Stone, Vice President of Production & Development, will oversee the film on behalf of Spyglass.
ABOUT SPYGLASS MEDIA GROUP, LLC
Spyglass Media Group, LLC is a global premium content company, led by Gary Barber, focused on developing, producing, financing and distributing motion pictures and television programming across all platforms for worldwide audiences. The company also has strategic backing from Lantern Capital Partners, Lionsgate, Warner Bros., Eagle Pictures and Cineworld Group.
