News

Jeffrey Reddick Talks Final Destination, Tony Todd, and Diversity in Horror Films

Published

7 years ago

April 5, 2017

“Dear Mr. Reddick, Thank you for your aggressive introduction…”

That was how the letter began that Jeffrey Reddick received from New Line’s Bob Shaye so many years ago. Young Jeffrey was only 14 and had been so inspired by New Line’s A Nightmare on Elm Street that he wrote a story for a proposed prequel that would tell the story of Freddy Kreuger before he became the nightmare man of our dreams. The Kentucky native was extremely upset when he received his story back with a letter telling him that they could not read unsolicited stories and scripts, so he sat down and penned a letter to Shaye to let him know just what he thought about it.

“I said, ‘Look Mister'”, the writer recounted to me while laughing hysterically, “I spent $3 on your stuff and I watched your movies. The least you can do is take five minutes to read my story.”

To his surprise, Shaye did read it and sent him a letter telling him what he thought of the story and also explained why they couldn’t do anything with it. Reddick wrote Shaye back and Shaye responded in turn. Over the next five years, Reddick became pen pals with Shaye and his assistant Joy Mann. Joy would send him memorabilia from the movies and he would send her stories to read. At age 19, he left Kentucky for New York to study acting and to begin an internship for New Line Cinema. Reddick would stay on with New Line for the next eleven years and it was during this time that he was struck with the idea that would grow to become his breakout hit, Final Destination.

It all began on a plane ride back to Kentucky to visit his mom.

“I was reading an article on the plane; I think it was in People magazine,” Reddick began. “This woman was on vacation and her mother called her and told her not to take the flight she was scheduled for the next day. She had a bad feeling about it. The woman changed her flight to make her mother feel better and found out later that the flight she was supposed to be on had crashed. And there it was, just a small kernel of an idea.”

The idea came back to him later when he was attempting to get a TV agent. He had to write a script for an established TV series to show his work, and he penned a story for “The X-Files”. In his script, Dana Scully’s hitherto unseen brother Charlie has a premonition and escapes death but then weird things began to happen around him. A friend who read the script told him, “This should be a movie not a TV episode.” From there, the idea took on a life of its own, but the road was still uphill.

Reddick submitted a feature outline to the people at New Line, but he admits , that it was a hard sell. The execs argued that it would be impossible to sell the idea of Death hunting down the protagonists, especially as Death never appears in corporeal form anywhere in the film. The writer stuck to his guns, however, and eventually the deal was made.

New Line brought in James Wong and Glen Morgan to work with Reddick to complete the script, and Wong would go onto to direct the film.

“It was really kind of ironic because both James and Glen had worked on “The X-Files” which is where this all began,” he added.

Casting soon began and everyone had suggestions, some of which ultimately paid off for the film. Craig Perry, who was producing a film was also producing American Pie at the time and he told the Final Destination crew that they had to get Sean William Scott into the movie. Kerr Smith was currently on the long running hit series “Dawson’s Creek” and Reddick knew Devon Sawa’s work from Casper and Wild America. At the time, Ali Larter’s star was on the rise after her turn in Varsity Blues and Kristen Cloke who played teacher Val Lewton had been on a series regular on “Millennium” and “Space: Above and Beyond”

The cast of Final Destination at the film premiere.

And then, there was Tony Todd.

“Mr. Fucking Candyman!” Reddick exclaimed when I brought up the famed horror master. “A lot of people think he was in the movie for a lot more than he is, but that’s because he made such an impact. So big an impact in fact that when they decided to leave him out of the third one, the fans were not having it. They ended up putting his voice in the third one at the last minute. You have to have Tony Todd in the movie.”

As to whether Todd’s character was actually death or simply a man who knew a LOT about the way that death work, the writer remained ambiguous saying he wrote the character that way on purpose. He also says that’s a testament to Tony’s talent as an actor to flesh out that ambiguity. He also points out that Todd is the kind of actor who is grateful for the work and to have the opportunity to do what he does unlike some who have tried to distance themselves from their horror pasts.

Tony Todd in Final Destination

“He’s an actor who is just obviously very grateful for working. He wants to do great work no matter what he’s in,” he explained. “It’s not like Johnny Depp who ran away from A Nightmare on Elm Street forever. It was only about five years ago that he began to really embrace it and that was a great movie. I don’t care what genre it was. That was a great movie. So you should just shut your mouth, Johnny, and be happy that was your first movie in your half shirt.”

Reddick made sure to point out that he was proud of all of the stars of Final Destination. He recently produced a short film directed by Devon Sawa and cheerfully talked about Sawa’s new television show that’s just been picked up. He also pointed out that the film was one of a handful that ended with a real “final boy” instead of a “final girl”, even though the original ending was quite a bit different.

In the first cut of the film, Sawa’s character, Alex, died saving Clear when she was trapped inside the car by fire and the fallen power line. Alex grabbed that wire and died, his body catching fire, from electrocution. It took a turn from there, however, and ended on a positive note. In a deleted scene, Clear and Alex had sex out on the beach and she was carrying his child. She was caring for the baby and even felt Alex’s presence from time to time like a protective shield around her. She was safe, the baby was safe, and Kerr Smith’s Carter was alive and well, as well, due to Alex’s sacrifice.

The ending didn’t test well with audiences, however. They questioned why Carter, and undeniable asshole in the film, was allowed to live and generally seemed to have a problem with a horror film that left them with the warm fuzzies at its conclusion. New Line brought the actors back and filmed the ending we saw in the released film with Carter being crushed by the sign in Paris and Alex ultimately survived to the end of the film.

The writer said that Clear was pregnant at the end of his first draft as well and Death could not get her because she was carrying new life. However, as she gave birth in the final moments and the doctors were caring for the newborn baby, Death rushed in to take her.

With the film finished, Reddick finally lived a moment he’d been waiting for his entire life. A film premiere of his own movie back in his small home town in Kentucky.

“It was at the theater where I grew up watching movies a kid,” he told me. “To have my mom and relatives and old teachers come to this premiere and to be able to show them what I’d done, that meant a lot to me.”

The writer is clearly proud of the work he did on Final Destination and the first sequel that followed, but he willingly let it go after that saying that was the business. The franchise went on and he loved that the fifth film tied directly back into the first, admitting he went to the theater to see it four times to watch audience reactions as they realized the characters were getting on the plane with Alex and his classmates at the end of the film.

Click on the next page to see what Reddick’s working on next!—>

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Movie Reviews

Panic Fest 2024 Review: ‘The Ceremony Is About To Begin’

Published

12 hours ago

May 1, 2024

Jacob Davison

People will look for answers and belonging in the darkest places and the darkest people. The Osiris Collective is a commune predicated upon ancient Egyptian theology and was run by the mysterious Father Osiris. The group boasted dozens of members, each forgoing their old lives for one held in the Egyptian themed land owned by Osiris in Northern California. But the good times take a turn for the worst when in 2018, an upstart member of the collective named Anubis (Chad Westbrook Hinds) reports Osiris disappearing while mountain climbing and declaring himself the new leader. A schism ensued with many members leaving the cult under Anubis’ unhinged leadership. A documentary is being made by a young man named Keith (John Laird) whose fixation with The Osiris Collective stems from his girlfriend Maddy leaving him for the group several years ago. When Keith gets invited to document the commune by Anubis himself, he decides to investigate, only to get wrapped up in horrors he couldn’t even imagine…

The Ceremony Is About To Begin is the latest genre twisting horror film from Red Snow‘s Sean Nichols Lynch. This time tackling cultist horror along with a mockumentary style and the Egyptian mythology theme for the cherry on top. I was a big fan of Red Snow‘s subversiveness of the vampire romance sub-genre and was excited to see what this take would bring. While the movie has some interesting ideas and a decent tension between the meek Keith and the erratic Anubis, it just doesn’t exactly thread everything together in a succinct fashion.

The story begins with a true crime documentary style interviewing former members of The Osiris Collective and sets-up what led the cult to where it is now. This aspect of the storyline, especially Keith’s own personal interest in the cult, made it an interesting plotline. But aside from some clips later on, it doesn’t play as much a factor. The focus is largely on the dynamic between Anubis and Keith, which is toxic to put it lightly. Interestingly, Chad Westbrook Hinds and John Lairds are both credited as writers on The Ceremony Is About To Begin and definitely feel like they’re putting their all into these characters. Anubis is the very definition of a cult leader. Charismatic, philosophical, whimsical, and threateningly dangerous at the drop of a hat.

Yet strangely, the commune is deserted of all cult members. Creating a ghost town that only amps up the danger as Keith documents Anubis’ alleged utopia. A lot of the back and forth between them drags at times as they struggle for control and Anubis keeps continuing to convince Keith to stick around despite the threatening situation. This does lead to a pretty fun and bloody finale that fully leans into mummy horror.

Overall, despite meandering and having a bit of a slow pace, The ceremony Is About To Begin is a fairly entertaining cult, found footage, and mummy horror hybrid. If you want mummies, it delivers on mummies!

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News

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

Published

16 hours ago

May 1, 2024

Anthony Pernicka

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.

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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Movies

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

Published

19 hours ago

May 1, 2024

Timothy Rawles

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.

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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