Exclusives

John Landis Talks ‘American Werewolf’ Remake, Thriller

Published

15 years ago

June 29, 2009

This weekend we broke the news that Dimension Films has acquired the remake rights to An American Werewolf in London, John Landis’ groundbreaking horror-comedy from 1981 that featured stunning visual effects work by Rick Baker. We checked in with Landis to see if could confirm our story, while also asking him if he had heard anything about getting Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” on Blu-ray. Read on for the skinny.
While we reported that Dimension Films had acquired the rights to the remake of AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, Landis tells B-D that it’s still in negotiations.

“Brad – Yes, Dimension is now in negotiation for the ‘An American Werewolf in London’ remake rights. Perhaps someone will make a brilliant movie out of it,” he continues talking about the incredible Blu-ray transfer for the original film, “regardless, my film comes out on Blu-ray this summer and looks amazing. I was afraid the digital cleaning of the negative would result in too clear a picture and hurt Rick Baker’s make-up, when in fact the incredibly crisp detail actually makes Rick stuff look even better!”

In other news, back in January, Landis, the director and co-writer of the video for Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” filed suit against Mr. Jackson, asking for unpaid profits from the video and a making-of documentary, Variety reported. We asked Landis if there was any updates on a possible Blu-ray release of “Thriller” and he tells is that, “Despite Michael’s tragic death, the Thriller lawsuit continues.”

Here is the statement he gave to the press:

“I was lucky enough to know and work with Michael Jackson in his prime. Michael was an extraordinary talent and a truly great international star. He had a troubled and complicated life and despite his gifts, remains a tragic figure. My wife Deborah and I will always have great affection for him. – John Landis ”

Landis is now in London in pre-production on Burke and Hare for Ealing Studios.

Exclusives

‘Dancing Village: The Curse Begins’ – Exclusive Clip and Images Begin a Gruesome Indonesian Nightmare

Published

6 hours ago

April 24, 2024

John Squires

Indonesian filmmaker Kimo Stamboel (Macabre, Headshot, The Queen of Black Magic) is back in the director’s chair for MD Pictures’ Badarawuhi Di Desa Penari (aka Dancing Village: The Curse Begins), a prequel to the Indonesian box office hit KKN Curse Of The Dancing Village. Lionsgate brings the film to U.S. theaters on April 26.

While you wait, whet your appetite for gruesome horror with a gnarly exclusive clip from Dancing Village: The Curse Begins below, along with a gallery of bloody exclusive images.

In the horror prequel, “A shaman instructs Mila to return a mystical bracelet, the Kawaturih, to the ‘Dancing Village,’ a remote site on the easternmost tip of Java Island. Joined by her cousin, Yuda, and his friends Jito and Arya, Mila arrives on the island only to discover that the village elder has passed away, and that the new guardian, Mbah Buyut, isn’t present.

“Various strange and eerie events occur while awaiting Mbah Buyut’s return, including Mila being visited by Badarawuhi, a mysterious, mythical being who rules the village. When she decides to return the Kawaturih without the help of Mgah Buyut, Mila threatens the village’s safety, and she must join a ritual to select the new ‘Dawuh,’ a cursed soul forced to dance for the rest of her life.”

Kimo Stamboel directs from a screenplay by Lele Laila.

Aulia Sarah, Maudy Effrosina, Jourdy Pranata, Moh. Iqbal Sulaiman, Ardit Erwandha, Claresta Taufan, Diding Boneng, Aming Sugandhi, Dinda Kanyadewi, Pipien Putri, Maryam Supraba, Bimasena, Putri Permata, Baiq Vania Estiningtyas Sagita, and Baiq Nathania Elvaretta star.

KKN Curse Of The Dancing Village was the highest grossing film in Indonesian box office history when initially released in 2022. Its prequel is the first film made for IMAX ever produced in Southeast Asia and in 2024, it will be one of only five films made for IMAX productions worldwide. Manoj Punjabi produces the upcoming Indonesian horror prequel.