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Zac Efron cast as Ted Bundy in Berlinger Movie

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Zac Efron Ted Bundy

The true life accounts of many real life monsters live on in the media throughout the decades, often times far beyond their deaths.  Whether it’s in movies, books, television shows, or documentaries, the horrific stories of real life murders and serial killers and the horror they released upon the world continue to live on.  One of the most notorious serial killers who has lived on in the media since the conviction of his crimes and long after his death is Theodore Robert Bundy.

The story behind serial killer Ted Bundy’s life has been immortalized in multiple formats over the years since his conviction, including movies, television, and books.  One of the most notable portrayals was by Mark Harmon in the 1986 TV movie The Deliberate Stranger. The made for television movie came out three years before Bundy’s execution and women swooned over the blue eyed killer, both on screen as well as the one sitting on death row.  In fact, Bundy’s prison mailbox overflowed with letters as he awaited his sentence to be carried out by women who transferred their attraction from Harmon to Bundy.

Image result for mark harmon the deliberate stranger

via The MacGuffin

Harmon was a heartthrob of the eighties, and his undertaking of the notorious serial killer attracted viewers to the real life sexual sadist.  Now modern day heartthrob Zac Efron has been announced to portray the sexual sadist suspected of killing over a hundred women, in Joe Berlinger’s independent drama Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.  For those of you who have only seen him in his childhood and adolescent roles on the Disney channel, you may be wondering if this is the right decision.

With teenage girls throwing themselves at the young Efron in High School the Musical and then again in the 2007 movie adaption of Hairspray, is history bound to repeat itself?  As twisted as it sounds, will the choice of casting the now 29 year old Efron romanticize serial killer Ted Bundy  once again, now to a new generation of twenty-somethings?

Let’s not forget, the real Bundy had his own fans and supporters consisting of young, beautiful, and devoted groupies sitting dutifully behind him in the courtroom every day of trial.  Even while being full aware of what his crimes were before, during, and after sentencing, women remained drawn and devoted to the serial killer.  Ironically these young women tended to match the physical description of the sexual sadist’s victims to a “T.”

Image result for ted bundy

via Ranker

Efron first found fame in 2006’s High School Musical, which in turn spawned two sequels in which he also starred in.  Always the love object in his career, Efron’s boyish good looks and charming demeanor make him a compatible fit for the innocent angle Bundy would use to lure his unsuspecting female victims.  However, never has the young actor undertaken a role displaying such anger, rage, violence, and sadism.  Given his resume of singing and dancing, fans are understandably skeptical of director Joe Berlinger’s choice.

Berlinger has a long history of directing films rooted in true crime, perhaps his most notable being the Paradise Lost trilogy; a 3 part documentary about the true life story behind the West Memphis Three case.  Undoubtedly this new project will be strongly rooted in fact, and if it follows the format he is known for there will never be a dull moment, nor will it be forgettable.  His work is haunting, and despite the grim content it always draws you back for another viewing.

There is no doubt Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile will be a brilliant piece of film from visionary director Berlinger, and for now we have to try and suspend our disbelief in Efron being the leading man.  Berlinger is experienced and talented behind the camera, as well as a hell of a story teller, so if he believes this blue eyed heartthrob of the millennial generation can embody one of the most vile and gruesome serial killers America has ever known, we owe him the chance to prove it to us.

Read more about Ted Bundy in recent headlines here.

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“Mickey Vs. Winnie”: Iconic Childhood Characters Collide in A Terrifying Versus Slasher

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iHorror is diving deep into film production with a chilling new project that’s sure to redefine your childhood memories. We’re thrilled to introduce ‘Mickey vs. Winnie,’ a groundbreaking horror slasher directed by Glenn Douglas Packard. This isn’t just any horror slasher; it’s a visceral showdown between twisted versions of childhood favorites Mickey Mouse and Winnie-the-Pooh. ‘Mickey vs. Winnie’ brings together the now-public-domain characters from A. A. Milne’s ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ books and Mickey Mouse from the 1920s ‘Steamboat Willie’ cartoon in a VS battle like never before seen.

Mickey VS Winnie
Mickey VS Winnie Poster

Set in the 1920s, the plot kicks off with a disturbing narrative about two convicts who escape into a cursed forest, only to be swallowed by its dark essence. Fast forward a hundred years, and the story picks up with a group of thrill-seeking friends whose nature getaway goes horribly wrong. They accidentally venture into the same cursed woods, finding themselves face-to-face with the now monstrous versions of Mickey and Winnie. What follows is a night filled with terror, as these beloved characters mutate into horrifying adversaries, unleashing a frenzy of violence and bloodshed.

Glenn Douglas Packard, an Emmy-nominated choreographer turned filmmaker known for his work on “Pitchfork,” brings a unique creative vision to this film. Packard describes “Mickey vs. Winnie” as a tribute to horror fans’ love for iconic crossovers, which often remain just a fantasy due to licensing restrictions. “Our film celebrates the thrill of combining legendary characters in unexpected ways, serving up a nightmarish yet exhilarating cinematic experience,” says Packard.

Produced by Packard and his creative partner Rachel Carter under the Untouchables Entertainment banner, and our very own Anthony Pernicka, founder of iHorror, “Mickey vs. Winnie” promises to deliver an entirely new take on these iconic figures. “Forget what you know about Mickey and Winnie,” Pernicka enthuses. “Our film portrays these characters not as mere masked figures but as transformed, live-action horrors that merge innocence with malevolence. The intense scenes crafted for this movie will change how you see these characters forever.”

Currently underway in Michigan, the production of “Mickey vs. Winnie” is a testament to pushing boundaries, which horror loves to do. As iHorror ventures into producing our own films, we’re excited to share this thrilling, terrifying journey with you, our loyal audience. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to transform the familiar into the frightful in ways you’ve never imagined.

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Mike Flanagan Comes Aboard To Assist in Completion of ‘Shelby Oaks’

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shelby oaks

If you have been following Chris Stuckmann on YouTube you are aware of the struggles he has had getting his horror movie Shelby Oaks finished. But there’s good news about the project today. Director Mike Flanagan (Ouija: Origin Of Evil, Doctor Sleep and The Haunting) is backing the film as a co-executive producer which might bring it much closer to being released. Flanagan is a part of the collective Intrepid Pictures which also includes Trevor Macy and Melinda Nishioka.

Shelby Oaks
Shelby Oaks

Stuckmann is a YouTube movie critic who’s been on the platform for over a decade. He came under some scrutiny for announcing on his channel two years ago that he would no longer be reviewing films negatively. However contrary to that statement, he did a non-review essay of the panned Madame Web recently saying, that studios strong-arm directors to make films just for the sake of keeping failing franchises alive. It seemed like a critique disguised as a discussion video.

But Stuckmann has his own movie to worry about. In one of Kickstarter’s most successful campaigns, he managed to raise over $1 million for his debut feature film Shelby Oaks which now sits in post-production. 

Hopefully, with Flanagan and Intrepid’s help, the road to Shelby Oak’s completion is reaching its end. 

“It’s been inspiring to watch Chris working toward his dreams over the past few years, and the tenacity and DIY spirit he displayed while bringing Shelby Oaks to life reminded me so much of my own journey over a decade ago,” Flanagan told Deadline. “It’s been an honor to walk a few steps with him on his path, and to offer support for Chris’ vision for his ambitious, unique movie. I can’t wait to see where he goes from here.”

Stuckmann says Intrepid Pictures has inspired him for years and, “it’s a dream come true to work with Mike and Trevor on my first feature.”

Producer Aaron B. Koontz of Paper Street Pictures has been working with Stuckmann since the beginning is also excited about the collaboration.

“For a film that had such a hard time getting going, it’s remarkable the doors that then opened to us,” said Koontz. “The success of our Kickstarter followed by the on-going leadership and guidance from Mike, Trevor, and Melinda is beyond anything I could have hoped for.”

Deadline describes the plot of Shelby Oaks as follows:

“A combination of documentary, found footage, and traditional film footage styles, Shelby Oaks centers on Mia’s (Camille Sullivan) frantic search for her sister, Riley, (Sarah Durn) who ominously disappeared in the last tape of her “Paranormal Paranoids” investigative series. As Mia’s obsession grows, she begins to suspect that the imaginary demon from Riley’s childhood may have been real.”

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New ‘MaXXXine’ Image is Pure 80s Costume Core

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A24 has unveiled a captivating new image of Mia Goth in her role as the titular character in “MaXXXine”. This release comes approximately a year and a half after the previous installment in Ti West’s expansive horror saga, which covers more than seven decades.

MaXXXine Official Trailer

His latest continues the story arc of freckle-faced aspiring starlet Maxine Minx from the first film X which took place in Texas in 1979. With stars in her eyes and blood on her hands, Maxine moves into a new decade and a new city, Hollywood, in pursuit of an acting career, “But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.”

The photo below is the latest snapshot released from the film and shows Maxine in full Thunderdome drag amid a crowd of teased hair and rebellious 80s fashion.

MaXXXine is set to open in theaters on July 5.

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