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[Interview] What You Might Not Have Known About Heather Langenkamp.

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My Life Growing Up On Elm Street

I associate most of my life with film, first and foremost horror films. Growing up my all time favorite series was A Nightmare On Elm Street (and still is to this day), sure the other slasher franchises impressed me, and I did embrace them, but not on the same caliber as A Nightmare On Elm Street. My first exposure to Freddy & Nancy was at the tender age of six; my parents had rented the original on VHS (I am sure some are asking what that is, hah)! While my mom was cleaning house, I casually sat down on the couch, pressed play on the remote, adjusted the tracking and my adventure into the dream world began.

Throughout my youth, I watched each Nightmare film with my buddies, and we would reenact scenes and shout out our favorite lines to each other, (“Screw your pass,” “Daddy you used me,” “I’ve been guarding my gate for a long time, bitch”)! Essentially Fred Krueger, his dream world adversary, and victims served as our babysitter. It should come to no surprise that the Nightmare On Elm Street franchise, and everyone involved, have become one of the most critical pieces of my life, and will serve as such forever.

Over the past few years, I have had meaningful opportunities to meet and speak with individuals involved in the films. Still speechless at times, I don’t always have the words to describe the feelings and gratitude I receive on both a professional and fan level.

The Nightmare on Elm Street franchise is a legacy that will stand the test of time and continue to prosper when everyone including myself is long gone. I am thankful for the work and performances that have been injected into the series, as silly as it may sound I consider my life “The House That Freddy Built.”

Now let’s begin with the real reason you chose to read this article, Heather Langenkamp.

Many are unaware Elm Street star Heather Langenkamp (Nancy Thompson) has been hard at work and doing some extraordinary things I must say. Heather and her husband, Dave Anderson have been running AFX Studios for nearly thirty years. Founded by both David and his father Lance Anderson the FX studio has been responsible for such cinema sensations as American Sniper, Dawn of The Dead, Cabin In The Woods, Dead Silence, Pet Sematary, and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. A modest and humble Langenkamp did mention that the AFX Studio did just wrap filming last week on the FX horror sensation, American Horror Story: Cult.

Image AFX Studio

Amazingly, David has been nominated three times for an Academy Award for Best Make-Up, winning two Oscars for his achievements. Wait, there is more! He was also nominated for 4 Emmy Awards and won for American Horror Story: Freak Show for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup For A Series, Limited Series, Movie Or a Special. AFX specializes in anything Hollywood, or a filmmaker can dream up. Want more info? No problem, check out the main website by clicking here.

Image AFX Studio

When Heather isn’t working in the FX department, she still enjoys performing in front of the camera and is quite apparent in her new film Truth or Dare which will air on SyFy this evening. The role is small, however significant and essential for the film. Without giving away any spoilers, Langenkamp will find “a way to have some old comradery with her old friend Robert Englund.”

Go ahead and slide over to page two and check out our exclusive interview with Heather. We discuss her role in the new film Truth or Dare, the legacy, and importance of her Elm Street character Nancy, and of course, there is some Freddy Krueger sprinkled in for some added terror.

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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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