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Did You Know That Chucky Was Played by a Real Person?!; Exclusive Interview with Ed Gale

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Today, we shine the spotlight on one of the true unsung heroes of the horror genre; an actor by the name of Ed Gale, who actually played killer doll Chucky in the three most beloved installments of the Child’s Play franchise. Say what? Wasn’t Chucky a… prop?!

Though it’s mostly Brad Dourif and special effects artist Kevin Yagher who are credited with bringing Chucky to life, the character never would’ve been able to move around on screen if it weren’t for Ed Gale. Inside the Chucky costume in Child’s Play, Child’s Play 2 and Bride of Chucky, Gale is essentially to the franchise what Kane Hodder is to the Friday the 13th series – though unfortunately most fans don’t realize or recognize his contributions.

Wanting to learn more than the little bits of information that are provided on his IMDb page, I recently had a chat with Ed Gale, in an effort to paint a picture that’s gone unpainted for far too long. No, Chucky wasn’t just an animatronic doll, and this is the story of the man you probably didn’t even realize was underneath the costume!

Ed Gale

Measuring just under 3 ½ feet tall, the career of Ed Gale began at the age of 20, when he left his home state of Michigan and moved to California – pursuing his dreams of making a living as an actor. Armed only with $41 and a belief that anything is possible if you set your mind to it, Gale’s dreams came true just a few years later – when he auditioned for and landed the title role in the 1986 film Howard the Duck.

It was because of his portrayal of Howard the Duck that Gale caught the attention of Child’s Play director Tom Holland, who knew that an animatronic Chucky doll alone wouldn’t be able to do everything he needed it to do. And so he reached out to Gale, who had proven himself to be the man for such a task.

I am told Tom Holland requested me personally after hearing that I was Howard the Duck,” Gale told me. “He wanted someone physically capable of bringing the costume to life. I was known for doing just that.”

Credited only as ‘Chucky’s Stunt Double’ on Child’s Play’s IMDb page, Gale is quick to point out that he’s an actor first and foremost, and that he was far more than a stunt performer on the film – which Holland himself has also pointed out over the years. While Gale did perform many stunts for the movie, including the full body burn that turns Chucky into a charred mess, he was also the one responsible for playing the character in all of the scenes that required the doll to move around more than a doll ever could on its own.

In other words, whenever Chucky is walking, running, jumping, climbing, falling, tumbling or rolling, that was Gale underneath the costume. “[That’s why] I will not allow people to merely say I was Chucky’s stunt double,” said the actor – who clearly has never quite been given the appreciation from fans that he by all means deserves.

ed gale

While Gale is only 40” tall, he’s still a good 10” bigger than the Chucky doll was, which is why oversized sets had to be built for the scenes in the original film where he donned the costume – in order to make him look as small as the actual doll. Larger scale replicas of locations like the Barclay’s kitchen and living room were constructed, seamlessly blending together the shots of Gale and Kevin Yagher’s many animatronic creations. In fact, so seamless was the blend that it’s hard to even tell whether you’re watching a doll or an actor at any given moment, which is probably why so many people don’t even realize there was an actor involved.

Gale returned to play Chucky in Child’s Play 2, but it was that film’s director (John Lafia) who was responsible for the actor not being involved with the third installment. Without getting too into the details, Gale revealed to me that he was quite offended by things Lafia had said about him, after filming wrapped. “His comments in a magazine were deplorable and an outright lie,” Gale opened up. “So when [the third film] came around, I said absolutely not.”

Though Gale by no means takes all the credit for playing Chucky, calling the character a “team effort,” he does believe that Child’s Play 3 suffered by not having him on board. “Chucky could not move as freely,” Gale explained. “They were relegated to moving the camera to give the illusion of Chucky moving. Hence it being the least successful of the franchise.”

It would be nearly a full decade after Child’s Play 2 before Gale put on the overalls and striped shirt for the third and final time, once again portraying Chucky for several scenes in Bride of Chucky. “I returned for many reasons,” he told me, when I asked why he had a change of heart from the last time he was offered the chance to reprise the role.

I loved the script. My good friend and executive producer David Kirschner called me at my home in Palm Springs to ask me to do it,” Gale recalled. “He said something like ‘We need you to make Chucky move… you are our Chucky.”

It was all Gale needed to come back on board, though he also jokes that the money didn’t hurt.

Ed Gale

As far as Seed of Chucky is concerned, Gale doesn’t recall if his agent was approached about him being a part of it, but it was ultimately the filming location that prevented him from being involved with the follow-up to Bride. “Seed of Chucky was filmed in Romania,” he said, “and by that time I had stopped flying.”

When I talked to Gale about the latest installment in the franchise, Curse of Chucky, he echoed the sentiments most of us fans have about the current state of the genre. Some CGI was utilized to help bring Chucky to life this time around, a modern day technology that’s hurting not only the movies, but the careers of actors like Gale.

I am afraid that CGI is the wave of future, which is sad because many times it looks horrible and fake,” said Gale, taking the words right out of my mouth. “Computers have replaced the practical costume,” he went on to say, in regards to how his career has been affected by the shift from practical effects to computer generated ones.

But regardless of the changes in the world of filmmaking, Gale told me that he’s more or less retired from acting nowadays, and that he’s mostly been playing human characters for the last several years anyway. Would he play Chucky one more time, if he was asked?

At this point in time I would like to think I would never return to costume work,” Gale told me. “However, as you well know in the biz, you never say never.”

In addition to playing Chucky, Gale also played a hooded dwarf in Phantasm 2, Dolly in Dolly Dearest and he even doubled for Warwick Davis in Leprechaun 3. Needless to say, he’s definitely made his mark on the genre, despite not really being a fan of horror movies. You can learn more about Ed Gale and his career on his official website and Facebook page!

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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