david kirschner Tagged Articles at Cinematical

A few weeks ago I snagged a really sweet deal at the video store: A Chucky four-pack for $10. Granted, it's far from my favorite horror series, but hell: Four flicks for 10 bucks is a good deal, doubly so when those movies offer the voice of Brad Dourif as a homicidal toy. But when I got the DVDs home, I realized I should have looked a little closer: As this was a Universal Home Video 4-pack, the movies I got were Child's Play 2 (1990), Child's Play 3 (1991), Bride of Chucky (1998), and Seed of Chucky (2004). Still a pretty solid deal ... but I wanted the first (and best) Chucky misadventure: Part 1!

Logic indicates that Part 1 was not included for one simple reason: The sequels are Universal properties, whereas the original Child's Play (currently available on nasty-ass Full-Frame DVD only) is an MGM title. But I didn't offer all this boring background information for no reason: According to Bloody D, a new Child's Play special edition is due for release on September 9. The 20th Anniversary edition will feature two audio commentaries (one with screenwriter Don Mancini and producer David Kirschner, the other with actors Catherine Hicks and Alex Vincent, and FX designer Kevin Yagher), a new "making of " documentary, and a third commentary track with Dourif "in character" as Chucky. Best of all, the flick will arrive wearing a swanky new 16x9 widescreen transfer.

I haven't looked at the "funny pages" in years, so I'm not familiar with Mark Tatulli's comic strip Li?. From what I can tell, though, it's a bit like Calvin and Hobbes but instead of a tiger, the kid is friends with macabre figures like the Grim Reaper. And they're not as much part of the boy's imagination. Now that I've looked at a bunch, I'm pretty much hooked. It's definitely not the best strip I've ever read, but considering my old favorites are no longer being produced, Li? is a fair alternative to much of the junk filling the comics section these days. Anyway, because I'm hooked on the strip, which has apparently been around for a year and a half now, I'm also excited about the news that it's being turned into a live-action movie. According to Variety, producer David Kirschner is working with Universal Press Syndicate to bring the boy and his creepy companions to the big screen. It's certainly fitting since Kirschner is the guy who gave us both Fievel Mousekewitz and the Chucky doll. He will be working with Corey Sienega, who he partnered with on Seed of Chucky and the upcoming Martian Child.

The only thing I'm concerned about is the story, and whether or not it could maybe be told without dialogue. See, Li? is a primarily pantomimed strip and it would be most appropriate if the movie were the same. Of course, Hollywood would never go for a silent adaptation. Besides, it's a lot easier for each strip to be dialogue-free, since there's no on-going plot. Not that the movie would necessarily require dialogue, but it could definitely use some. The important thing, however, and this is only if I'm getting the strip correctly based on about 10 examples, is to keep the supernatural friends rather mysterious and/or ambiguous. As far as I can tell, we shouldn't know how or why Li? is pals with them. Also, the dialogue would have to be easily translated into foreign languages, since the strip's speechlessness has allowed it to become a hit overseas. In talking about adapting Li?, Kirschner has mentioned models in The Addams Family and Edward Scissorhands. So, can we assume he's already tried to contact Tim Burton's people (with Sonnenfeld's number on the back-burner)? Also, can we get this in time for a double-feature with the Edward Gorey movie?

Seriously, how have we so far been spared a Child's Play remake? What with horror remakes being all the (former) craze, to resurrect little Chucky would seem to be a no-brainer. Well, apparently it is, because STYD.com brings us the word from producer David Kirschner: Apparently Chucky's return is in the works.

"We're discussing it with Don Mancini, who has written all of them with us from the beginning," the producer told Shock, "The next one we're going to do is we're going back and remaking the first one and even pushing it further and making a very terrifying version of the first one, which is pretty scary as it is." Wait, what? I'm not about to knock (the original) Child's Play, but "terrifying"? No, not really. When asked "why," Mr. Kirschner's response was pretty telling: "Look at Halloween ... It's kind of commerce to keep the franchise going, and another reason to go see it."

The early plan is to move forward with the participation of series creator Don Mancini, but probably with a young director. (They work cheaper.) And if you're worried that the new Chucky will be some sort of CGI creation, fear not. The producer promises to keep the little killer animatronic in nature.

Ah, and here's a little tidbit for you Chucky-heads: Early next year we'll be getting a 20th Anniversary Special Edition of the original Child's Play. So at least that's some good news.