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Interview with Horror Artist, Vince Locke (NSFW)
Vince Locke is indisputably a master of his craft, and his craft is mastering the macabre. His visions dare to explore areas that harbor on the immoral and the outright criminal. And you know what? We love him for that!
Vince Locke does something very difficult and he does it very well – he takes motionless images and conjures unrelenting nightmares from the stillness. My first introduction to this man’s blistering work was back in my teenage years living overseas in Russia and standing – quite transfixed – frozen in an aisle of a music shop. I was holding a metal album by a group with one Hell of a name – Cannibal Corpse – that would not be ignored. But it was the art spilling across the cover that I couldn’t get over. It was a mutilated woman giving ‘birth’ to a wormy abomination. I had never seen anything like this and I was hooked.
Recently I had the chance to sit down with Vince and learn where these grizzly (and beautiful) images come from.
To start, I’ll say that Vince Locke is one cool cat. To look at his artwork you’d think you were looking into the mind of a serial killer, and that’s something I can appreciate. However, this is the kind of guy who couldn’t harm a fly.
Upon meeting him he gave me an original sketch and personalized autograph. Nice way to start an interview!
Vince Lock, Concerning Cannibal Corpse
Manic Exorcism: Did Cannibal Corpse reach out to you or did you contact them?
Vince Locke: Chris Barnes got a hold of my number and called me up one day out of the blue. Said he had a job I might be interested in.
ME: Did he introduce the group’s name?
VL: Yeah! (laughs)
ME: So you knew what you were in for. I gotta know: where do those images come from? Did they give you an idea for each album or did you base it on the title?
VL: Usually it comes from conversations. Chris Barnes really knew what he wanted. Although I remember this time he decided what he wanted, but I had another idea. Like of a zombie woman with her ribcage showing and a crucified baby up in there.
(Both laugh)
ME: Did you have free license to come up with stuff?
VL: They have specific things they want usually. But I’m free to do my own ideas and sketches as well. I would make 2 or 3 options to choose from.
ME: Which album cover is your favorite?
VL: My favorite is still Kill.
ME: Any particular reason? What’s the history there?
VL: Really happy with the artistry. What I picture, what I want to get out, doesn’t always happen. A lot of times you look at it and think I should have done this or that, or a little bit more – but with that one it didn’t happen.
Vince Locke opened up about his love for classic horror films
ME: I heard you were a Hammer fan too. Do you have a favorite Hammer movie?
VL: I really need to go back and watch them again but I love all the Dracula movies and anything with Vincent Price in it.
ME: What would be your favorite Vincent Price movie?
VL: Masque of the Red Death.
ME: Your art can be very violent and grotesque. So, what kind of horror are you personally drawn to?
VL: Not necessarily exploitation films. Something with a vision and a certain mood to it. Recently saw The Babadook and liked it.
ME: Do you have an overall favorite movie?
VL: Bride of Frankenstein (for horror). Favorite of all-time although is Apocalypse Now. And basically all the Universal and Hammer films.
Concerning fandom/conventions
ME: What conventions do you usually go to?
VL: Usually just around Michigan, but I’ll go anywhere when they pay my way, hence why I’m here in California. Mostly comic conventions. Haven’t done horror conventions. My wife usually writes people to see if they would like me there.
ME: What’s the weirdest thing a fan has brought you to sign?
VL: Not weird to sign but things they offered to pay with: like drugs – ‘Can you sign this for me and then we go smoke one?’ I’d be like no that’s ok. Wait! One time there was a toilet seat! Someone brought me a toilet seat to sign.
(Both laugh)
ME: How involved were you in the History of Violence movie?
VL: Not at all. The screenwriter obviously knew enough about the comics. I was happy with what they did though. Thought it was a great movie and that it stuck really close to the first half of the comic. Even if they changed it, still a good movie.
Concerning future projects
ME: What are some things fans can look forward to?
VL: More issues of House by the Cemetery.
ME: I heard a rumor that Deadworld was actually slated to be a show before Walking Dead was a thing.
VL: Yeah.
ME: Given the current zombie craze today, do you think Deadworld has the possibility of being picked up and given a faithful adaptation?
VL: I’m hopeful (chuckles).
ME: Speaking for the fans, we love all your work. Thanks for all the nightmares and smiles!
VL: Definitely. Thanks for all your support. I’d be nothing without the fans.
Fans will recognize Vince Locke’s talent from such works like History of Violence, The Sandman, Deadworld, Cannibal Corpse and Eibon Press’s current House by the Cemetery.
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Movies
The Original ‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel Had an Interesting Location
Back in the late ’80s and early ’90s sequels to hit movies weren’t as linear as they are today. It was more like “let’s re-do the situation but in a different location.” Remember Speed 2, or National Lampoon’s European Vacation? Even Aliens, as good as it is, follows a lot of the plot points of the original; people stuck on a ship, an android, a little girl in peril instead of a cat. So it makes sense that one of the most popular supernatural comedies of all time, Beetlejuice would follow the same pattern.
In 1991 Tim Burton was interested in doing a sequel to his 1988 original, it was called Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian:
“The Deetz family moves to Hawaii to develop a resort. Construction begins, and it’s quickly discovered that the hotel will be sitting on top of an ancient burial ground. Beetlejuice comes in to save the day.”
Burton liked the script but wanted some re-writes so he asked then-hot screenwriter Daniel Waters who had just got done contributing to Heathers. He passed on the opportunity so producer David Geffen offered it to Troop Beverly Hills scribe Pamela Norris to no avail.
Eventually, Warner Bros. asked Kevin Smith to punch up Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian, he scoffed at the idea, saying, “Didn’t we say all we needed to say in the first Beetlejuice? Must we go tropical?”
Nine years later the sequel was killed. The studio said Winona Ryder was now too old for the part and an entire re-cast needed to happen. But Burton never gave up, there were a lot of directions he wanted to take his characters, including a Disney crossover.
“We talked about lots of different things,” the director said in Entertainment Weekly. “That was early on when we were going, Beetlejuice and the Haunted Mansion, Beetlejuice Goes West, whatever. Lots of things came up.”
Fast-forward to 2011 when another script was pitched for a sequel. This time the writer of Burton’s Dark Shadows, Seth Grahame-Smith was hired and he wanted to make sure the story wasn’t a cash-grabbing remake or reboot. Four years later, in 2015, a script was approved with both Ryder and Keaton saying they would return to their respective roles. In 2017 that script was revamped and then eventually shelved in 2019.
During the time the sequel script was being tossed around in Hollywood, in 2016 an artist named Alex Murillo posted what looked like one-sheets for a Beetlejuice sequel. Although they were fabricated and had no affiliation with Warner Bros. people thought they were real.
Perhaps the virality of the artwork sparked interest in a Beetlejuice sequel once again, and finally, it was confirmed in 2022 Beetlejuice 2 had a green light from a script written by Wednesday writers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. The star of that series Jenna Ortega signed on to the new movie with filming starting in 2023. It was also confirmed that Danny Elfman would return to do the score.
Burton and Keaton agreed that the new film titled Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice wouldn’t rely on CGI or other other forms of technology. They wanted the film to feel “handmade.” The film wrapped in November 2023.
It’s been over three decades to come up with a sequel to Beetlejuice. Hopefully, since they said aloha to Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian there has been enough time and creativity to ensure Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice will not only honor the characters, but fans of the original.
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice will open theatrically on September 6.
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News
Russell Crowe To Star in Another Exorcism Movie & It’s Not a Sequel
Maybe it’s because The Exorcist just celebrated its 50th-anniversary last year, or maybe it’s because aging Academy Award-winning actors aren’t too proud to take on obscure roles, but Russell Crowe is visiting the Devil once again in yet another possession film. And it’s not related to his last one, The Pope’s Exorcist.
According to Collider, the film titled The Exorcism was originally going to be released under the name The Georgetown Project. Rights for its North American release were once in the hands of Miramax but then went to Vertical Entertainment. It will release on June 7 in theaters then head over to Shudder for subscribers.
Crowe will also star in this year’s upcoming Kraven the Hunter which is set to drop in theaters on August 30.
As for The Exorcism, Collider provides us with what it’s about:
“The film centers around actor Anthony Miller (Crowe), whose troubles come to the forefront as he shoots a supernatural horror movie. His estranged daughter (Ryan Simpkins) has to figure out whether he’s lapsing into his past addictions, or if something even more horrific is occurring. “
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Movies
New F-Bomb Laden ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Trailer: Bloody Buddy Movie
Deadpool & Wolverine might be the buddy movie of the decade. The two heterodox superheroes are back in the latest trailer for the summer blockbuster, this time with more f-bombs than a gangster film.
This time the focus is on Wolverine played by Hugh Jackman. The adamantium-infused X-Man is having a bit of a pity party when Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) arrives on the scene who then tries to convince him to team up for selfish reasons. The result is a profanity-filled trailer with a Strange surprise at the end.
Deadpool & Wolverine is one of the most anticipated movies of the year. It comes out on July 26. Here is the latest trailer, and we suggest if you are at work and your space isn’t private, you might want to put in headphones.
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