Joe Begos has directed Almost Human, The Mind’s Eye, Bliss, VFW, Christmas Bloody Christmas, and the recently released Jimmy and Stiggs (which JoBlo’s own Tyler Nichols described as “an absolutely bonkers splatterfest,” and now Deadline reports that Begos is set to put a violent, horror-inspired modern twist on the iconic hero Zorro with They Call Him Zorro!

What is They Call Him Zorro about?

The film is coming our way from WTFilms, and they say it will “draw on the original writings of Johnston McCulley, who first introduced Zorro in his 1919 novel The Curse of Capistrano, but through a horror lens.“

Here’s the synopsis: When Diego Vega is framed by a group of dirty city officials for a crime he didn’t commit, he escapes from prison and starts a relentless no-holds barred vengeance on corruption and crime in present day Los Angeles. The media quickly finds a name for the masked vigilante riding a black El Camino armed with chains, machetes, electric saws, and a sawed-off shotgun: Zorro.

Begos will be directing from his own script and will also be producing through Channel 83.

What has been said about They Call Him Zorro?

WTFilms co-head and producer Gregory Chambet provided the following statement: “This is not your parents’ Zorro. In our iteration, the masked folk hero has more to do with dark and violent characters such as The Punisher or The Crow. What if instead of being a coward by day, sword-yielding funny scoundrel by night, Diego Vega came back for vengeance in the form of a scary, brutal vigilante?“

Begos added, “All of my favorite action movies, from T2 to Heat, were shot on location in Los Angeles, and it’s always been a dream of mine to inhabit the same cultural playground to stage some of the most high octane and explosive set pieces imaginable, and this project is the perfect opportunity to showcase the beauty of the city, the beauty of its culture, and pull off some old school practical action filmmaking bathed in the crisp golden hour glow of Hollywood. We want to bring back the feel and visual texture of action references such as To Live and Die in L.A., RoboCop, or Hard Boiled.“

While Begos shot all of his previous films on 16mm, he’ll be shooting this one on 35mm.

WTFilms is in the process of financing and casting. Chambet said, “There is a lack of roles for talented Hispanic actors. Zorro is a Mexican character and we want to create a badass icon that makes the Latino community excited and proud. We will have done our job right if people start dressing up as this new version of Zorro for Halloween.“

What do you think of the idea of Zorro getting a badass, violent modern update? Share your thoughts on Joe Begos’ They Call Him Zorro by leaving a comment below.

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This movie was supposed to launch an entire franchise. We’re talking up to six films. There was just one problem: the studio didn’t actually have the rights to make a sequel. The project got pushed back, delayed, and eventually shelved for years with almost no explanation. And when it finally saw the light of day, it barely made its money back and left horror fans completely divided. Somewhere along the way, this origin story turned into an identity crisis where even the filmmakers seemed more interested in the idea of Leatherface than the character himself.

So how does something like that even happen? And how do you take one of horror’s most iconic figures and completely lose the plot before the movie even begins? What legendary horror name received their final producing credit on this film? How many movies were originally planned as part of Lionsgate’s ill-fated Texas Chainsaw reboot universe? Rev up those chainsaws one last time as we find out what happened to Leatherface.

Even though it’s called Leatherface, the 2017 horror movie about the first family of Texas massacres involving chainsaws is about as far removed from the original film as possible. And somehow, it’s another origin story. While its quality as both a horror movie and franchise entry remains heavily debated, the story behind its production is genuinely fascinating.

The End of Platinum Dunes’ Texas Chainsaw Era

To understand how this movie even reached release, we have to go back to January 2007. That’s when Platinum Dunes announced they were finished making Texas Chainsaw films following the release of Jonathan Liebesman’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning. The movie had been profitable, but the studio decided not to move forward with a third entry. Soon after, the rights shifted to Lionsgate, which began planning an entirely new series of films.

Originally, the studio envisioned a trilogy with possible involvement from James Wan. Later, it was even claimed that Lionsgate had access to enough rights for as many as six movies. Unfortunately for the studio (and maybe fortunately for audiences) those plans would never fully materialize. And that summarizes the biggest issue with this entire era of Texas Chainsaw movies: there never seemed to be a clear creative direction.

The franchise constantly felt like it was trying to stay alive while simultaneously figuring itself out in real time. One movie ignored the previous film, timelines constantly shifted, and continuity became more of a suggestion than an actual rule. For longtime fans, the series increasingly felt disconnected. For new audiences, it became difficult to even understand where these movies fit into the timeline.

Leatherface wasn’t just attempting to tell an origin story. It was trying to reset everything without fully committing to what that reset actually meant.

Texas Chainsaw 3D and the Rights Confusion

The first film released under the new deal was Texas Chainsaw 3D, which moved from an October 2012 release date to January 2013 but still managed to perform moderately well financially. Following that success, Millennium Films and Lionsgate began developing a follow-up tentatively titled Texas Chainsaw 4. The original plan involved filming in Louisiana sometime in 2013 to capture a more authentic Southern atmosphere.

Millennium chairman Avi Lerner was reportedly eager to move forward and claimed the project had been brought to him by producer Lati Grobman and actress-turned-producer Christa Campbell, both of whom had worked on the previous movie. There was just one major problem. Whether it was confusion over paperwork, crossed wires, or simply moving too quickly, they apparently did not actually have authorization to produce a direct sequel.

Executive producer Mark Burg later explained that despite what Millennium believed, the rights were controlled by Carl Mazzocone and Main Line Pictures. A direct sequel was essentially impossible. But that didn’t mean the project itself was dead.

Reinventing Leatherface as an Origin Story

Instead of another sequel, writer and producer Seth M. Sherwood pitched a completely different idea: another prequel. Sherwood later worked as an uncredited writer on London Has Fallen and also contributed to the horror game The Devil in Me. He had grown frustrated with the franchise’s increasingly messy continuity and wanted to explore themes involving identity, transformation, and psychological deterioration. Drawing inspiration from comments made by original creators Tobe Hooper and Gunnar Hansen, Sherwood leaned into the idea that the person beneath the mask was essentially a blank slate.

Hansen himself had once suggested that there was “nothing” underneath the mask; that the face Leatherface wore helped define his personality. Sherwood’s screenplay explored how that transformation might happen.

Another major concept involved portraying the future killer not as someone born inherently monstrous, but as someone gradually shaped by trauma and violence.

On August 13, 2014, Sherwood was officially announced as the film’s writer. A few months later, on Halloween, Lionsgate revealed the directing duo behind the movie: French filmmakers Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury, best known for the brutal 2007 horror film Inside.

At the time, Hollywood had already seen success stories involving French horror directors transitioning into American genre filmmaking. Alexandre Aja had previously moved from the French horror scene to direct The Hills Have Eyes remake, which ironically was a project Bustillo and Maury had once been considered for themselves.

When they read Sherwood’s script, they were immediately drawn to how different it felt from the rest of the franchise. Sherwood also wanted the movie to feel accessible for fans frustrated by the increasingly tangled continuity. He placed the story at the earliest point in the timeline and intentionally ignored the continuity established by the 2003 remake and its prequel.

At the same time, he still included subtle nods to older films. Texas Ranger Hartman was conceived as a tribute to Dennis Hopper’s Lefty from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2, while names like Nubbins, Drayton, and the Sawyer family helped tie the movie into the larger mythology. Sherwood envisioned the film as the beginning of a new Lionsgate timeline that would include the 1974 original and Texas Chainsaw 3D.

Making the Movie More Violent

The producers selected Bustillo and Maury largely because of the intensity they brought to their films. Naturally, the directors requested changes to Sherwood’s script. He was reportedly happy to collaborate. The overall story remained mostly intact, but nearly every death sequence was reworked. And if you’re familiar with French horror cinema from the late 1990s and early 2000s, you can probably guess what happened next: things became significantly more violent.

One of the biggest changes involved the ending. The original screenplay reportedly featured a massive set piece where the killer slaughtered more than thirty people in one extended sequence. Bustillo and Maury thought that might be excessive and replaced it with a smaller but still deeply disturbing moment involving stitched-together faces. You know. Perfectly normal Leatherface behavior.

The Cast and Practical Effects

The cast ended up featuring several surprisingly recognizable names. Stephen Dorff signed on to play Texas Ranger Hal Hartman, a man obsessed with hunting down the murderous Sawyer family after the death of his daughter. Dorff already had extensive genre experience thanks to films like Blade, FearDotCom, and Alone in the Dark. Opposite him was Lily Taylor as Sawyer family matriarch Verna. Taylor replaced Angela Bettis, who had to exit due to scheduling conflicts. With credits including The Addiction, The Haunting, and The Conjuring, Taylor was already well established within horror cinema.

The rest of the cast included Jessica Madsen, Sam Coleman, Vanessa Grasse, Finn Jones, and Sam Strike. Strike, who would ultimately be revealed as the future Leatherface, was drawn to the role because of how character-driven the script felt. He appreciated the idea of exploring multiple dimensions of a character who had previously existed mostly as a silent killing machine. To prepare, Strike studied earlier films, analyzed Leatherface’s physicality, and developed his own interpretation of the role. He even intentionally gained weight during filming to better sell the physical demands of carrying heavy chainsaws from the 1950s and 1960s.

Why Leatherface Was Filmed in Bulgaria

Despite the Texas setting, the movie was ultimately filmed in Bulgaria rather than Texas or Louisiana. Millennium Films already operated studio facilities there, making production significantly more affordable.

Wide-open locations were selected to resemble rural Texas landscapes, while several period-accurate vehicles were transported from the United States to maintain the film’s 1960s setting.

One pleasant surprise was the heavy reliance on practical effects. Most of the kills were achieved physically on set, with only limited CGI enhancements added later. The production team even created a disturbingly realistic cow carcass for the movie.

Two different chainsaws were also used during filming. One was a rubber prop for scenes involving close interaction with actors, while the other was a functioning electric chainsaw used for visual realism.

Another major practical achievement involved recreating the original farmhouse from the 1974 classic. The crew built an almost identical version of the house and expanded its role within the story to justify the effort.

The Delays and the Strange Release Strategy

The film was originally scheduled for release in 2016, despite production having started years earlier. Then, without much explanation, Lionsgate quietly shelved the movie. Sherwood later admitted he feared the film might become one of those mysterious unreleased horror projects fans only hear about through convention stories and internet rumors.

Then something even stranger happened. In early 2017, an entirely unrelated movie titled Leatherface appeared on UK home video. Despite the marketing featuring chainsaw imagery, the film had absolutely nothing to do with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise. It was actually a repackaged version of Playing with Dolls: Bloodlust. Even the movie’s director later apologized, explaining that the distributor had changed the title and advertising.

The real Leatherface finally premiered at FrightFest on August 25, 2017. Afterward, it debuted on DirecTV in September before receiving a wider digital release in October. Because of this unusual release strategy, the movie earned only around $1.4 million and failed to recover its reported budget.

Critical and audience reactions were heavily mixed.

The Death of Lionsgate’s Texas Chainsaw Universe

At one point, Lionsgate still suggested it intended to continue its planned franchise universe. In reality, the studio simply took too long developing its proposed slate of films and eventually lost the rights altogether. Those rights later moved to Legendary Pictures, which produced another sequel connected directly to the original 1974 movie. That effectively ended the Lionsgate timeline.

In the end, Leatherface never fully became the strange blend of Terrence Malick’s Badlands and Sofia Coppola’s The Virgin Suicides that some of the filmmakers had envisioned. Still, it’s probably not quite as terrible as its reputation suggests.

For now, though, let’s rev down those chainsaws and put the series to rest. Because now we know what happened to Leatherface.

A couple of previous episodes of this show can be seen below. For more, check out the JoBlo Horror Originals YouTube channel—and don’t forget to subscribe!

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Fresh off of working together on the horror comedy survival thriller Coyotes, actor Justin Long and director Colin Minihan are set to reteam on another survival thriller called Stung, and Variety reports that Long will be joined in the cast by Iris Apatow (Pretty Lethal).

What is Stung about?

Variety lets us know: Set against the backdrop of suburban isolation and mounting paranoia, Stung follows four teenage girls whose innocent sleepover spirals into a nightmare when they become trapped inside a luxury Orange County home overtaken by a massive swarm of Africanized killer bees.

The film is being produced by Andre Relis and Jib Polhemus, with VMI Worldwide is presenting the project to worldwide buyers in Cannes.

What has been said about Stung?

Minihan provided the following statement: “Stung taps into a very primal fear. You’re trapped, isolated, and under attack from something unstoppable. But beneath the horror, it’s also a story about friendship, trust, and survival under pressure.“

Relis and Polhemus added, “We were immediately drawn to the film’s contained intensity and commercial concept. Colin has a fantastic visual style and a strong command of suspense, and we believe Stung has the potential to become a standout genre title for audiences worldwide.“

Well, the set-up sounds like the makings of a good time to me, so I look forward to seeing how this one is going to turn out.

What else has Colin Minihan directed?

After several years of working as a music video director for the likes of Ten Second Epic, Theory of a Deadman, These Kids Wear Crowns, Marianas Trench, Papa Roach, and Carly Rae Jepsen, Minihan made his feature directorial debut with the 2011 horror film Grave Encounters, which he co-directed with Stuart Ortiz as the Vicious Brothers.

The alien invasion film Extraterrestrial followed in 2014, then the zombie film It Stains the Sands Red in 2016 and the psychological horror film What Keeps You Alive in 2018.

Last year, we got Coyotes, and now Minihan has his sights set on Stung.

Does Stung sound interesting to you? Share your thoughts on this Colin Minihan / Justin Long / Iris Apatow killer bee project by leaving a comment below.

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Back in 2021, it was revealed that the legendary George A. Romero (who passed away in 2017) had left behind a treatment for the “seventh and final installment” in his Dead franchise – following Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, Land of the Dead, Diary of the Dead, and Survival of the Dead. The story Romero had come up with used a title than many fans expected him to use for his follow-up to Day, Twilight of the Dead, and the team of Joe Knetter, Robert Lucas, and Paolo Zelati, who also worked on the treatment with Romero, were working on fleshing it out into a screenplay. This one has been taking the long road to production, but now it has taken a big step forward, as Deadline reports that Kate Beckinsale of the Underworld franchise has signed on to star in the film!

New Cast and Directors

Of course, this isn’t the first time an actor has signed on for the lead role. Two years ago, we heard that Twilight of the Dead had secured funding from Roundtable Entertainment, and Session 9 director Brad Anderson signed on to helm the film soon after. Anderson cast Resident Evil star Milla Jovovich in the lead role, and she was set to be joined in the cast by Betty Gabriel (Get Out).

Then the project ran into financial trouble.

Greg Nicotero, who got his special effects career started on the Romero classic Day of the Dead and went on to work with Romero on several more projects (including Land of the Dead, Diary of the Dead, and Survival of the Dead), will be handling the FX on Twilight of the Dead and has said that this will be a “full circle” moment in his career.

When asked for a status update during an interview with Slasher Radio seven months ago, Nicotero said, “The interesting thing about George’s universe is, the zombies evolve. … This continues that intention, which I think is really interesting and unlike any other zombie stuff that’s out there. It’s very different. I’ve had a bunch of meetings with the director, we did some designs, and we’re sort of waiting for them to secure the rest of their financing.“

Deadline reports that Twilight of the Dead “has recently undergone a facelift with new cast, director and financiers.” So not only are Jovovich and Gabriel out, with Beckinsale stepping in, but Anderson has also been replaced at the helm

The new directors are the Paz Brothers, Doron and Yoav Paz, whose movies include Jeruzalem, The Golem, and Plan A. Ho Sung Pak (Bullet Train) will be directing the stunt and action sequences.

What is Twilight of the Dead about?

Set on a tropical island, Twilight of the Dead will “delve into the dark nature of humanity from the perspective of the last humans on earth who are caught between factions of the undead.” Like the previous Dead films, it has been described as a “thought-provoking sociopolitical commentary wrapped in a genre piece.”

The film is being produced by the Roundtable Entertainment team, led by producers John Baldecchi and Sarah Donnelly with executive producer and Roundtable President, Dominic Ianno, and in partnership with Suzanne Romero. Producers include Bob Yari, Shaun Sanghani of SSS Entertainment, and Aanaxion’s Kenneth Kim, Ho Sung Pak and George Furla. Executive producers include Stephanie Caleb, Roundtable’s Alex Dundas and Jason Resnick, Josh Kagan, Sean Carey, Stu Snyder, Hakim Bangash, Victor Ianno, Streamline Global’s Emily Hunter Salveson, Jamie Thompson, Brian Skiba, Jeff Elliott, and Aanaxion’s Bong-Seob Mun, Bang-Ok Joo. Young-Joo Ji, Sung-Il Ahn, and Kwang Jin Kim.

Magenta Light Studios has secured the North American rights and will distribute the film in theatres across the U.S. and Canada. International sales are being handled by The Syndicate, with executive producers Jeffrey Giles and Michael Lurie representing the project at the Cannes market. Buyers will be able to read a screenplay and see concept materials.

What has been said about Twilight of the Dead?

Baldecchi said, “We’re thrilled to have Kate Beckinsale starring in Twilight of the Dead. Her extraordinary talent, emotional range, and commanding screen presence make her the perfect actress to lead a final chapter worthy of George’s legacy.“

Bob Yari, CEO of Magenta Light Studios, added: “George Romero is one of the most successful and influential creatives in the horror and genre space, and his final film deserves to be experienced on the big screen. We’re proud to partner with his estate and the filmmakers to bring Twilight of the Dead to audiences. As a standout addition to Magenta Light Studios’ growing film catalog, we are committed to delivering a thrilling theatrical experience for fans who have been waiting years for this conclusion.“

And the Paz Brothers provided the following statement: “Stepping into Romero’s world is the ultimate privilege for any genre filmmaker. This is more than a continuation, it’s a responsibility. We are committed to honoring his voice while delivering a visceral, terrifying, impactful experience for today’s audience that resonates beyond the screen.“

What do you think of Kate Beckinsale signing on to star in Twilight of the Dead, with the Paz Brothers directing? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.

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Scatena & Rosner Films have announced the North American release plans for writer/director Shane Brady’s revenge fantasy horror comedy Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage Fueled Karma, which stars Chandler Riggs of The Walking Dead. The film is set to receive a limited theatrical run by the end of this month, followed by a VOD and digital release on June 2.

What is Hacked about?

Based on true events that happened to Brady and producer Emily Zercher (they were scammed out of $20,000), Hacked has the following synopsis:

The Rumble family’s dream of buying their first home turns into a nightmare when Florida’s most elusive hacker, “The Chameleon”, steals their life savings. But this hacker messed with the wrong family… The bank fails them. The police can’t help. Furious and desperate, they plot a revenge-fueled take down of the hacker, determined to make him pay for every life he’s destroyed. What started as a financial tragedy soon spirals into a fast-paced, darkly comedic adventure to reclaim their money-and their dignity. Revenge has never been this much fun!

Riggs is joined in the cast by Owen Atlas (Little Evil), Collin Thompson (Breathing Happy), Richard Riehle (Office Space), Katelyn Nacon (The Walking Dead), Augie Duke (Mayans M.C.), Hugh Scott (Deadpool), Brittney Escalante (9-1-1: Lone Star), Glenn Stanton (Chicago Fire), Mia Castillo (The Fairly Odd Parents: Fairly Odder), and NHL Hall of Famer and Founder of the Tampa Bay Lightning Phil Esposito. Brady also reserved an acting role for himself.

The film features music from rock band Underoath, and prominently features charities NMDP, a global nonprofit leader in cell therapy, and TSC Alliance, dedicated to tuberous sclerosis research and support.

What has been said about Hacked?

Zach Stampone, Head of Acquisitions at Scatena & Rosner Films, provided the following statement: “I championed Hacked from day one. The energy around this film was undeniable. It’s insane, absurd, and incredibly fun, driven by rapid-fire editing and quick cuts that give it a chaotic, roller coaster pace. I’m confident it’s going to connect with audiences and perform very well across all platforms.“

Brady added, “Hacked was born from the simple idea that sometimes getting screwed over can either break you or give you one hell of a story to tell. I make films to turn pain, chaos, and frustration into something communal, funny, and wildly entertaining, and I’m beyond excited that audiences across North America will get to experience that with S&R Films as our distribution partner.“

Riggs had this to say: “This film is one of the WILDEST rides I’ve ever been on – both as an actor, and as an audience member. It’s a constant stream of insanity in the best way possible. I truly had the most fun getting to play Rob “The Chameleon” Huberton, and I can’t begin to express how excited I am that people all across North America will get to experience this movie.“

Atlas said, “Working on Hacked was an incredible experience. Showcasing my MMA skills in the fight scene with Chandler was my favorite part, he was such a good sport about the whole thing. I also really enjoyed playing a character who sets all of the chaos in motion and then has to deal with the consequences of his actions.“

Zercher wraps up the quotes with, “Hacked is for everyone who’s taken a hit, swallowed their rage, and kept going anyway. Our goal was to capture the American Dream going completely off the rails and exploding into a wild ride of humiliation, hilarity, and ultimate revenge. We took the fantasies you can’t legally act on in real life and turned them into cathartic cinematic chaos.“

Zercher and Brady produced Hacked through their company Spooky Feet Films, with Rhondda Stark-Atlas, Jodi Thompson, and Bryan Thompson serving as executive producers.

Does Hacked sound interesting to you? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.

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A while back, it was announced that The Sixth Sense director M. Night Shyamalan and The Notebook author Nicholas Sparks were teaming up for a supernatural romantic thriller called Remain. Shyamalan and Sparks created the original story together, with Shyamalan going off to write a screenplay based on the story while Sparks turned the idea into a novel. As was said at the time, “Both will be based on the same concept and set of characters but designed for their individual mediums.” The Sparks novel has since reached store shelves and is available for purchase at THIS LINK. Shyamalan’s movie is set to be released on February 5, 2027 – but test screenings have already been held, and Shyamalan says it’s the highest-testing movie of his career.

What is Remain about?

Sparks’ novel has the following description: A one-of-a-kind novel that grapples with the supernatural mysteries of life, death, and human connection—an unprecedented collaboration between the globally bestselling author of love stories like The Notebook and the renowned writer and director of blockbuster thrillers like The Sixth Sense.

When New York architect Tate Donovan arrives in Cape Cod to design his best friend’s summer home, he is hoping to make a fresh start. Recently discharged from an upscale psychiatric facility where he was treated for acute depression, he is still wrestling with the pain of losing his beloved sister. Sylvia’s deathbed revelation—that she can see spirits who are still tethered to the living world, a gift that runs in their family—sits uneasily with Tate, who struggles to believe in more than what reason can explain. But when he takes up residence at a historic bed-and-breakfast on the Cape, he encounters a beautiful young woman named Wren who will challenge every assumption he has about his logical and controlled world. Tate and Wren find themselves forging an immediate connection, one that neither has ever experienced before.

But Tate gradually discovers that below the surface of Wren’s idyllic small-town life, hatred, jealousy, and greed are festering, threatening their fragile relationship just as it begins to blossom. Tate realizes that in order to free Wren from an increasingly desperate fate, he will need to unearth the truth about her past before time runs out . . . a quest that will make him doubt whether we can ever believe the stories we tell about ourselves, and the laws that govern our existence. Love—while transformative—can sometimes be frightening.

A story about the power of transcendent emotion, Remain asks us all: Can love set us free not only from our greatest sorrows, but even from the boundaries of life and death? 

Shyamalan’s film stars Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko), Phoebe Dynevor (Bridgerton), Julie Hagerty (Airplane), Jay O. Sanders (When You Finishing Saving the World) Tracy Ifeachor (The Pitt), Hannah James (Mercy Street), Caleb Ruminer (The Irrational), Kieran Mulcare (Jessica Jones), Maria Dizzia (My Old Ass), and award-winning actor, producer, director and recording artist Ashley Walters (Adolescence).

What did Shyamalan say about Remain?

Shyamalan took the stage at Warner Bros. Discovery’s upfront presentation to advertisers in New York today, and The Hollywood Reporter shared the following quote:

“My new movie began with a conversation, an unexpected one, with a celebrated author, Nicholas Sparks. He sold more than 130 million books worldwide and wrote one of the most iconic love stories ever, The Notebook. Romance is his territory. Mine’s a little different. I’m drawn to suspense, to twists and tension and stories that leave you just a little unsettled long after they are over. That feels like home to me.

We started from nothing, just a couple of questions: What scares you? What moves you? What stays with you? We challenged each other. We traded ideas and slowly wove two very different perspectives into a single, thrilling, supernatural love story. In the end, we get to tell it our own way. Mine through film, Nicholas through his novel.

The novel is not a novelization, and the film is not an adaptation. It’s two storytellers telling the story of Remain in their own way. Together, we created the story of recluse architect Tate Gordon, who moves to a small coastal town to complete his latest project when he encounters a beguiling young woman who pulls him out of his shell and into the center of a deadly mystery that hangs over this town.

Just between us, it’s my highest-testing movie of my career. We’re now in post-production, finding every detail. Honestly, my hope is that when you experience Remain, you feel both sides of it at once — full of love and that quiet, lingering unease that doesn’t let you go.“

Are you interested in Remain, and are you hyped to hear that it’s the highest-testing Shyamalan movie to date? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.

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Curry Barker caught my attention with ‘That’s a Bad Idea.’ The shorts he and his pal Cooper Tomlinson produce are wonderfully creative and sometimes creepily awkward in a good way. When news arrived that Barker would be writing and directing a feature for Focus and Blumhouse, the match was quite exciting. And yes, Obsession (read our review here) is one f’ed up movie that will strike a nerve for those looking for a thrill.

Obsession stars Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette as Bear and Nikki. Over the course of their friendship, Bear has developed a crush on Nikki. Desperate and lonely, he decides to ‘make a wish’ with a little toy that supposedly can grant them. Unfortunately, for him, his wish comes true. You should always be careful what you wish for.

Recently, I had a blast sitting down with Curry, Michael, and Inde. The moment I walked in, I offered them a little token of my appreciation. One I picked up at a little place called Cassell’s Music. It has been one of my favorite music stores for decades. And it’s prominently featured in the film. It made me appreciate Obsession all the more.

During our conversation, they discussed taking the film to such dark places. And with Barker taking a shot at The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I’m thrilled to see what he does. I love what he and Cooper do together, so I’m already curious.

Obsession is going to hit some of you hard. It is most definitely the type of flick you’d have a blast at on opening weekend. It hits theatres Friday!

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