Clive Barker Talks 'Hellraiser' Remake and Why PG-13 Horror is Bad for You
Filed under: Horror, Fandom, Scripts, The Weinstein Co., Remakes and Sequels
It is no secret that horror maestro Clive Barker has not had good luck lately with feature films. But to his credit, it hasn't made him bitter about seeing his work translated for the big screen. In an interview with MTV, Barker got the chance to weigh in on the upcoming remake of Hellraiser for Dimension Films -- and judging from his comments, he seems to be in a good place with the project. Barker told MTV, "I never get tired of revisiting [characters] if there is a good story to be told." He seemed genuinely excited about what he has planned for the story of a puzzle box from another dimension and the 'human pin-cushion'. Back in February, Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton were hired to work on the re-write of the Barker-approved script. But the project had another setback when the French directing duo of Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo (À l'intérieur) left the project due to "creative differences." So for now it looks like Pin-Head and the Gang are without a director. Hopefully, Dimension can get the ball rolling on the remake, because I don't think Barker could take another disappointment at the box office.
After the jump...find out what Barker really thinks about PG-13 horror.
Once Barker got business out of the way, he got the chance to sound off on the current crop of PG-13 horror films. He says, "It's one of the most disgusting developments in the last few years. The whole notion of a PG-13 horror movie to me is a contradiction in terms. It's like having a XXX Disney picture. It doesn't work." You can't deny the man has a point. I'm not the biggest horror buff out there, but even I couldn't get my head around a relatively gore-free Prom Night.
So what do you think? Is PG-13 horror ruining the ghoulish traditions of horror that we all love so much? Sound off below...
Tom Cruise and J.J. Abrams Reunite for 'Mission Impossible 4'
'Big Top Pee-Wee': The Original Benicio Del Toro Wolfman
Spin-ematical: New on DVD and Blu-ray for 2/9
Watch This: Brilliant Oscar-Nominated Short 'Logorama'
Chris Nolan to Lead 'Superman' Reboot!?
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-04-2008 @ 7:55PM
Alex Farquharson said...
I totally agree with Clive, it's because of PG-13 'horror films' that make me have to wait until the inevitable 'Unrated' editions to see (Pulse, prom night, cursed etc) however there have been only 2 PG-13 horrors that were done well enough to enjoy a horror experience (The Grudge and The Ring). I hate how Holly wood has caved into this genre "I want my R-rated horror films back!!"
Reply
9-04-2008 @ 10:46PM
mezzanine said...
Ha, Clive kicks ass.
Reply
9-05-2008 @ 10:22AM
ML said...
By and large, I'd agree with his statement. There are some horror films that are more in the atmospheric, philosophical, or supernatural category that might be OK for PG-13, but they might aim more for spooky than scary. If the scare is based on gore or other "edgier" images, the producers need to commit to their films.
Reply
9-10-2008 @ 10:16AM
sidhe said...
PG-13 horror is a travesty. To have a modern-day Romero willing to take an R or NC-17 rating to remain true to their vision would be a real blessing to the horror genre.
The number of directors who complain of having scenes cut and movies ruined in the name of making them palatable ("Event Horizon" comes to mind) staggers my imagination.
I hope Barker sticks to his guns and turns out a Hellraiser worthy of the stories that inspired it.
Reply