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[Exclusive] Alex Kurtzman Says ‘The Invisible Man’ Will Stay True as a Scary, Humorous Madman

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Written by Patti Pauley

Universal is kicking off the highly anticipated first installment of it’s Dark Universe this week with The Mummy starring an artifact thieving Tom Cruise up against the horrifyingly beautiful Sophia Boutella as Princess Ahmanet that will eventually bring all the beloved Universal Monsters together to a full circle with a string of films intertwining with each other. In previous reports, Russell Crowe’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde persona, who makes his first strong appearance in The Mummy, serves as a window into this newly formed Dark Universe that includes Frankenstein, the Bride, and the Invisible Man in future films with newly announced plans for Phantom of the Opera and Hunchback of Notre Dame to be included in the future.

In a press conference call earlier today with iHorror on one side of the horn with director Alex Kurtzman, the enthusiastic horror fan at heart explained more in detail Crowe’s character development for the unraveling franchise to come:

“There was a lot of conversation and debate early on about bringing Henry Jekyll into a Mummy movie; in terms of the film, we were constantly asking ourselves ‘How do we deliver something new to the table?’ And what we wanted to do was give you a satisfying Mummy movie experience on its own terms and to open the door to the Dark Universe by planting seeds without having an overwhelming narrative. We thought this was the way to go. What we don’t want to do is smash characters together just to have them together. Part of the storytelling here is that The Mummy exists in a larger world of Gods and Monsters, and it became very clear we needed an element to help understand that. Dr. Jekyll served a guide for Nick (Tom Cruise) in The Mummy in the monster-verse and will be back in many of the Monster films.”

 

When prompted about the upcoming chapter in Dark Universe The Invisible Man that has already cast Johnny Depp as the, what I like to call, Freddy Krueger of the Universal Monsters series with his dark humor and memorable one-liners, and if the studios intend to keep him just that way, The Mummy director and executive producer of The Invisible Man assured us exclusively this dark and scary character will keep his humorous wit about him:

“I think horror and humor work so well together and with Johnny, some of my favorite work with him is when he jumps back and forth between being very funny and also very dark. He does it so uniquely well. With the Invisible Man in particular, he’s actually such a scary character. As much as there’s humor in it, he’s essentially a scientist who has gone mad with his experiments and wants to use this newly found power, to do very destructive and terrible things. We ask ourselves, why do people love these Universal Monsters and what is it about them people embrace so much? We want to make sure we’re protecting that and not trying to reinvent to the degree that it feels like we’re betraying the audience and characters. Humor, drama, and horror work all very well together and we want to see Johnny do all of the above.”

 

Claude Rains agrees Mr. Kurtzman.

invisible man-johnny depp

The Mummy opens nationwide June, 9 2017.

Featured image credit: 411Mania

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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