Hellraiser: Judgment

Hellraiser: Judgment

Official poster
Directed by Gary J. Tunnicliffe[1]
Written by Gary J. Tunnicliffe
Based on Characters
by Clive Barker
Starring Paul T. Taylor
Heather Langenkamp
Distributed by Dimension Films
Release dates
  • 2017 (2017)

[1]

Country United States
Language English

Hellraiser: Judgment is an upcoming American horror film written and directed by Gary J. Tunnicliffe, and starring Paul T. Taylor, Heather Langenkamp, Damon Carney, Randy Wayne, Alexandra Harris, John Gulagher, Mike Jay Regan, Diane Goldner, Andi Powers, Jeff Fenter, Helena Grace Donald, and Grace Montie.[2] It is the tenth film in the Hellraiser film series.

Plot

Three detectives — Sean Carter, David Carter, and Christine Egerton — investigate a serial killer, only to discover a much deeper threat of other worldly proportions.[2]

Cast

Production

Development

Although most of the direct-to-video Hellraiser sequels were originally conceived as original screenplays that were later converted into Hellraiser films, Hellraiser: Judgment was intended to be a Hellraiser film from the beginning. However, writer/director Gary Tunnicliffe did not believe that Dimension Films would allow him to direct the film. Because of this, Tunnicliffe removed the Hellraiser elements from it and attempted to make Judgment as an independent film. After Tunnicliffe was unable to find financial backers, he tried to obtain funding via Kickstarter for a brief period of time, but later removed the funding campaign from the site. Dimension Films eventually agreed to allow Tunnicliffe to write and direct the film as part of the Hellraiser franchise.[4]

Although the film originated as a Hellraiser film, it was still Tunnicliffe's intention to differentiate Judgment from its predecessors, with his mantra being to "innovate, not replicate".[4] Tunnicliffe promised that Judgment "will have moments unlike any other [film] you have ever seen", taking inspiration from the works of Hieronymus Bosch, Francis Bacon, David Cronenberg, David Lynch, David Fincher, and Hellraiser creator Clive Barker.[5] In regards to the negative reception of the most recent entries in the series, Tunnicliffe responded "I think there has been a huge gap since Dimension are actually trying to do their best by the franchise. I think [The Weinstein Company is] well aware that Hellworld was rushed into production and suffered for it, and Revelations suffered a similar set of problems (when the rights issue came up fast and furious without anyone knowing). Judgment is a rights issue movie, but has been made with the sensibilities and input given to a regular budgeted Dimension feature."[4] In acknowledgment to the negative reactions of Hellraiser: Revelations, a film that he wrote, Tunnicliffe stated that he was devastated that he was unable to direct the film, and that he was unhappy with the final cut and alterations made to the script. According to Tunnicliffe, "To the fans, I would say this… I know you’ve been let down, and trust me, I have too, but simply give me a chance. I know we can never make a film as great as the first two Hellraiser's, but I think we have a fun script here [and] an opportunity to give you all something that feels a little familiar, a little different, completely terrifying and is a worthy part of the Hellraiser Canon."[6]

Casting

Gary Tunnicliffe wanted Doug Bradley to reprise his role as the lead cenobite known as Pinhead. However, Bradley refused to return.[6] In an interview with Bloody-Disgusting, Bradley commented saying "I’m not really in a position to comment on Judgment, having been prevented from reading the script. For the moment I only have Gary [Tunnicliffe]’s comments to go by. He certainly talks a good game: let's wait for the proof of the pudding. It's depressing that, as with Revelations, this again seems to be happening to save Dimension from losing the franchise rights."[7] Paul T. Taylor was later cast in the roles of Pinhead and a separate character known as The Auditor. Tunnicliffe described Taylor as "a classically trained stage and film actor who brings a great physical presence and more than a hint of Peter Cushing and Ralph Fiennes." In addition, it was announced that Mike Jay Regan would reprise his role as the Chatterer from the previous films, with A Nightmare on Elm Street actress Heather Langenkamp also portraying a character in the film.[3]

Filming

Filming for Hellraiser: Judgment took place in Oklahoma, United States, on a relatively small budget. Gary Tunnicliffe and Director of Photography Samuel Calvin prepared substantially before shooting in order to maximize shooting time, and put complex camera and lighting set-ups into place, with an average of 30-35 set-ups per day. According to Tunnicliffe, all departments were enthusiastic about their work and a single work day never went over thirteen hours. Filming locations included a derelict building, a bar, a high end apartment building and penthouse suite, a church interior, a children's playground, alleyways, and on stages and sets built by the art department.[5] At one point, one of the lead actresses nearly passed out during the filming of a particularly graphic scene. During the filming of another scene, three people had to leave the set in order to vomit.[4]

Special effects

Pinhead and The Auditor, brought to life by the efforts of the make-up effects team led by Mike Regan and Mike Measimer.

The make-up effects team was led by Mike Regan and Mike Measimer, who helped bring to life a number of characters in the film including Pinhead, Chatterer, the Stitch Twins, The Butcher, The Surgeon, and The Auditor.[5] Paul T. Taylor's portrayal of Pinhead is intended to be leaner, meaner and more 'no-nonsense' than previous incarnations of the character, lacking the glib one-liners from the earlier films. This was incorporated into the make-up and costume design of the character, with longer pins, deeper cuts, solid black eyes, and a more visceral and sleeker wardrobe. Tunnicliffe had to balance directing the film and overseeing the FX work. When discussing the quality of the blood effects, Tunnicliffe said "I don’t think it’s so much the quantity of blood but more the nature of the effects, the content and the context. I think some of our blood gags are actually quite beautiful; when you see blood raining down on a naked girl with a skinned face at 300 frames per second you can’t help but be mesmerized by the fluid dynamics."[4]

References

  1. 1 2 "Check out two new Cenobites from Hellraiser: Judgment". Flickeringmyth.com. 2016-07-20. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
  2. 1 2 3 "Look, It's Pinhead and The Auditor From 'Hellraiser: Judgment'! (Exclusive)". Bloody-disgusting.com. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Here's the New Pinhead In 'Hellraiser: Judgment'!". Bloody-disgusting.com. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "'Hellraiser: Judgment' Interview: Gary Tunnicliffe Talks Genesis, New Pinhead, and Sequels Being Rushed Into Development!". Bloody-disgusting.com. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
  5. 1 2 3 "Hellraiser:Judgment". Twohoursinthedark.net. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
  6. 1 2 "Exclusive Comments, BTS Image: Director Gary Tunnicliffe talks "HELLRAISER" Sequel! | FANGORIA®". Fangoria.com. 2016-02-18. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
  7. ↑ "[Interview] Chasing Hell With Doug Bradley!". Bloody-disgusting.com. Retrieved 2016-11-02.

External links

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