News

Exclusive: WWE star Natalie Eva Marie is set to star alongside Randy Couture, Neal McDonough, former WWE tag team champion Oleg Prudius, Bai Lin and former UFC Lightweight champion Rashad Evans in Phoenix, an action-thriller from Tadross Media Group, Bulldog Brothers Entertainment and director Daniel Zirilli that has entered production in Miami.

Phoenix centers on Fiona “Phoenix” Grant (Marie), a U.S. Army veteran Sergeant who is teaching hand-to-hand combat skills in Afghanistan when she receives word that her father, Everett Grant (Couture), a prominent security specialist, has been killed in Florida. The police report says it was suicide, but Fiona doesn’t believe it. Encouraged to take a leave of absence by her commanding officer (McDonough), she heads back to the U.S. and soon learns that the prime suspect is Maxim Vasiliiev (Prudius), a ruthless local drug kingpin with an army of mercenaries and enough legal, political and business...

Crystal Reed and Tahirah Sharif have signed on to star in Dead Giveaway, an indie comedy-thriller that is being directed by Ian Kimble.

The pic, which was written by Kimble, follows Lia (Reed) and Jill (Sharif). Jill is a hard-partying Philadelphian. This has resulted in some epic nights and legendary stories. What she never expected is waking up next to a stranger who has been brutally stabbed to death in her own bed. On this particular Sunday, that is exactly what she wakes up to. She and Lia spend their day trying to solve the mystery of the cadaver in Jill’s bed and still make it to brunch in time for mimosas.

Suzann Toni and Andrew Vogel of Dynasty Pictures will produce the indie, which will film in Philadelphia, Pa.

Reed is repped by ICM Partners and Silver Lining Entertainment.

Mitchell Hoog, who will play Zack Morris’ son Mac in Peacock’s Saved by the Bell reboot, will star in After Masks, a 5-part anthology film written and directed by the actors themselves while under the stay at home order. Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight), Robert Picardo (Star Trek: Voyager), Stefanie Estes (Amazon’s Tales from the Loop), Frances Lee Mccain (Back to the Future), Michael Welch (Twilight franchise), Lily Keene (HBO’s Deadwood), Krista Allen (Liar Liar), Alexandra Rodriguez (Hulu’s East Los High), Carlena Britch (CBS All Access’ The Twilight Zone), Nicole Thompson, and Debra Wilson (MadTV) will also star. Brian McCulley and John Crockett of Aec Studios producing. The stories will focus on many of the relatable issues we are all dealing with while on quarantine during the Covid-19 pandemic such as isolation, uncertainty, fear, substance abuse, and self-discovery. The segments, while standalone, will take place during the same time period,...

The upcoming continuation of “Saved by the Bell” at the NBCUniversal streamer Peacock has found the final members of its main cast.

Haskiri Velazquez, Mitchell Hoog, Alycia Pascual-Pena, and Belmont Cameli will all star in the series. They join previously announced series lead Josie Totah as well as John Michael Higgins, who will play the principal of Bayside High. Original series stars Mario Lopez, Elizabeth Berkley, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar are attached to appear in addition to serving as executive producers.

Velazquez plays Daisy, a smart, ambitious sophomore who is excited at the prospect of attending Bayside High after her local school gets shut down.

Velazquez’s previous credits include the Facebook Watch series “The Birch” as well as “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and the film “’The 40-Year-Old Version,” which is premiering at Sundance. She is repped by Take 3 Talent Agency.

Hoog plays Mac Morris, the handsome, charming,...

Noted actors Richard Tyson and Harley Wallen join primetime Emmy nominee Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story), Maria Olsen (I Spit on Your Grave: Deja Vu) as well as legendary action stars Mel Novak and Vernon Wells for ThunderKnight Entertainment Ltd and Aec Studios’ indie horror drama The Initiation, which shoots in Denver, Colorado. Monique Candelaria (Breaking Bad), London Grace and the Emmy nominated rapper T.O.N.E.-Z round out the cast.

Professor Daniel Kimmer (Jimmy Drain) of St. Elzears College, has come to terms that his marriage with wife Jaime (Meggie Maddock) is ending. This, combined with the growing epidemic of a scandalous on campus “faculty to student relations” threatens to expose a love affair with one of his own ex student’s, the alluring Starr Bramlett (Lauren C. Mayhew). Daniel uncovers that Starr is a member of a secret society of witches dedicated to promote feminine freedom...

The new teaser trailer for Realm of Shadows, which stars horror legend Tony Todd, Jimmy Drain and Vida Ghaffari has just been released. The film is an anthology of short horror themed tales woven into a full length feature presentation. Where apparently even the most shocking stories are based on true events…

Todd plays Fr. Dudley, a long time Catholic priest, dedicated to his profession. Fr. Dudley must watch out for his close friend Robby Duray, played by Jimmy Drain, during a testing time in Robby’s life. He also takes on the volatile task of taming Robby’s diabolic alter ego, and steer him away from the snares of Satan. Cassandra, played by Vida Ghaffari is the alluring and mysterious muse of Master Makin…the mysterious owner of the haunted vault near Strain City’s infamous cemetery and narrator of the shadows for our feature presentation. There is tension...

Horror legend Tony Todd will star in the thriller film Realm of Shadows. This much anticipated film is a world of mystery, possession and shadows in an anthology of short horror themed tales woven into a full length feature presentation. Even the most shocking stories are based on true events.

Todd plays Fr. Dudley, a long time Catholic priest, dedicated to his profession. Fr. Dudley must watch out for his close friend Robby Duray, played by Jimmy Drain (The Initiation), during a testing time in Robby’s life. He also takes on the volatile task of taming Robby’s diabolic alter ego, and steer him away from the snares of Satan. Cassandra, played by Vida Ghaffari (Fox’s The Mindy Project) is the alluring and mysterious muse of Master Makin…the mysterious owner of the haunted vault near Strain City’s infamous cemetery and narrator of the shadows for our feature presentation.

Artists Abrar Ajmal and Joe Guy Allard have forever captured the likeness of some of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark's most notable characters! Both designs are available on tees right now from Fright-Rags. Also: details on legend Tony Todd's casting for the thriller Realm of Shadows and a teaser trailer and premiere details for Conductor.

Fright-Rags' New Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Tees Revealed: "Now Available! New Officially Licensed Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark Tees from the new movie that opens this week! Inspired by the classic book series, the tees feature characters from a couple of the iconic stories: The Dream, The Big Toe and of course, Harold! Grab 'em now before you're written into the next story!

Artwork by Abrar Ajmal and Joe Guy Allard."

To learn more, visit Fright-Rags' website.

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Tony Todd Joins Realm of Shadows: "Horror legend...

In today’s films news roundup, “Lucy in the Sky” and “Villains” get release dates, “The Angry Birds 2” is moved up a day, Tony Todd gets a part and Art House Theater Day is set.

Release Dates

Fox Searchlight has set an awards-season release date of Oct. 4 for Natalie Portman’s astronaut drama “Lucy in the Sky.”

Noah Hawley helmed “Lucy in the Sky” in his directorial feature film debut. Portman stars as an astronaut who returns to Earth after an extended time is space and begins an obsessive affair with a fellow astronaut, played by Jon Hamm. The plot is loosely based on the true story of Nasa astronaut Lisa Nowak, who was arrested in 2007 for the attempted murder of fellow astronaut Colleen Shipman, who was romantically involved with astronaut William Oefelein.

The film, formerly called “Pale Blue Dot,” also stars Dan Stevens — as the husband of Portman’s...

Primetime Emmy nominee Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story) teams up with legendary screen villains Vernon Wells and Mel Novak for ThunderKnight Entertainment Ltd and Aec Studios’ indie horror drama film, The Initiation as profiled in Deadline Hollywood. Drain and Ty M.C. wrote the screenplay. Brian McCulley is the film’s director. Professor Daniel Kimmer (Jimmy Drain) of St. Elzears College, has come to terms that his marriage with wife Jaime (Meggie Maddock) is ending. This, combined with the growing epidemic of a scandalous on campus "faculty to student relations" threatens to expose a love affair with one of his own ex student's, the alluring Starr Bramlett (Lauren...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Trevor Wright photographed by Clinton Gaughran for AfterElton

At 30 years old, Trevor Wright can claim his ride in the entertainment industry has been both varied and very long. He began as a Gap spokeskid who landed a role in Paula Abdul's "Forever Your Girl" video alongside Elijah Wood, and he grew up landing roles on The George Lopez Show, NYPD Blue, Scrubs, and Boston Public. Then came the role for which AfterElton.com readers tend to be most appreciative: Zack in Shelter, the 2007 independent gay romance written by the film's director Jonah Markowitz. Wright's innocence and sensitivity in the role helped seal its position in our poll of the 100 greatest gay films ever -- it came in at #1. Yes, ahead of Brokeback Mountain. Anne Hathaway's resentment is palpable.

Wright is currently working on a web series with collaborators Tim Sullivan and Brian McCulley (the director and producer responsible...

It's the reign of the robots on screen, even though Spielberg's Robopocalypse went back to the drawing board for a total rethink.

Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim will show pilot-operated machines tackling an invasion of giant monsters, another Transformers is on the way and the next X-Men film is an exciting time-travel tale that will see mutant-hunting Sentinels targeting the team.

Continuing the trend but on a much smaller scale is Robot & Frank, which will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on March 8, 2013.

An official UK poster was recently unveiled for the movie, which is directed by Jake Schreier and stars Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden and Liv Tyler, with Robot voiced by Peter Sarsgaard.

Robot & Frank is a buddy caper. Set in the near future, ageing curmudgeon and retired jewel thief Frank (Frank Langella) lives a solitary life until his son (James Marsden) installs a caretaker robot,...

We’re back with the latest edition of the Indie Spotlight, which contains recent independent horror news sent our way. Today’s feature includes a new trailer for The Secret Village, premiere details for Pain is Beautiful, an interview for Almost Human, and more:

The Secret Village Trailer: “Written by Jason B. Whittier and Kandan, The Secret Village follows Greg (Jonathan Bennett), an unsuccessful screenwriter and Rachel (Ali Faulkner), a spunky journalist, as they research an outbreak of mass hysteria and ergot poisoning in a small village. They rent a house together and start to uncover a secret that has affected this village for years. But the cult activity has been kept a secret by locals Joe (Stelio Savante) and Paul (Richard Riehle) and when Greg disappears, Rachel is left alone to unravel the mystery and save their lives. Kef Lee, Toby Gadison and Karin Duseva round out the cast.

Tim Sullivan ("2001 Maniacs") is set to write, direct and produce an adaptation of Ray Manzarek's 2002 novel "The Poet in Exile" for his Clubhouse Entertainment production banner reports Variety.

Manzarek was a keyboardist and co-founder of The Doors and the story explores the urban legend that his bandmate Jim Morrison is still alive, having staged his death in 1971. He soon contacts Manzarek from his hiding place in the Seychelles Islands to embark on one final journey of rock 'n' roll rebellion.

Sullivan, "Chillerama" producer Gavin Heffernan and New Mexico poet-author Liz Sullivan co-wrote the script. Sullivan, Heffernan, Brian McCulley, John Crockett, Adam Robitel and Paul Ward will all produce.

Manzarek will produce and score the project and may cameo but will not portray himself in the film. Shooting will kick off next year.

Tim Sullivan (Driftwood, Chillerama, Vh1.s Scream Queens) has optioned the rights to Doors co-founder Ray Manzarek.s bestselling novel The Poet in Exile. Plans call for a feature film to be written and directed by Sullivan and produced by Manzarek. Sullivan will co-write the script with Chillerama producer and editor Gavin Heffernan (Expiration) and New Mexico poet/author Liz Sullivan (Icons and Outcasts).

Published to strong acclaim, Manzarek.s novel explores the notion .what if. his former band mate, the iconic rock and roll poet and legend Jim Morrison, did indeed stage his death in 1971 (as widely speculated), and now, 40 years later, contacts Manzarek from his hiding place in the Seychelles Islands to embark on one final journey of rock and roll rebellion.

The Doors are not unfamiliar with the celluloid screen. Between Oliver Stone.s epic biopic The Doors and the highly praised documentary When You.re Strange...

Imagine seeing this in the morning

If the world ended tomorrow, if you were one of the few survivors of a horrible zombie uprising, how exactly would you live? Sure, you might be the studly hero, bare chested and brave, dispatching zombies with both your whit and weapons.

Or you might be the nerdy scientist — though secretly hot once the glasses and clothes come off — who comes up with the formula to reverse the zombie virus and save the world, clothed or not.

You might even be the power mad dictator who used the end of the world to set yourself up as the ruler of your own domain, harem of hotties and spare nuclear bomb and all.

More than likely though, you’d just be one of The Locals.

A new web series on Facebook, The Locals is a mix of traditional sitcom with the modern fixation of zombies.

Horror director Tim Sullivan has announced his new production company will be making Hellions. “As part of my ongoing mission to become the next Roger Corman (lol), I am thrilled to announce I'll be producing Hellions (think Juno meets Halloween),” director Tim Sullivan announced to his Facebook followers. “It's to be directed by Gavin Heffernan and made thru The Clubhouse, my new production company with Gavin, Brian McCulley, John Crockett, Adam Robitel and Paul Ward!” Sullivan...

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Kevin Derkash

Yes, I did survive Comic-Con, and I’ll have more news from there when I get my head on straight(ish.)

Meantime, here’s a little bit of news that might tickle your terror-bone … before its ripped from beneath your skin.

Up-and-coming horror producers Brian McCulley and John Crockett of Aec Studios have signed on as producers for the feature film College Pranks.

The short summary of the film is “….a horror / thriller about college coeds that enter a campus contest for the most awesome prank — except the pranks are killer and involve fighting to win their own lives.” But I’m sure there’s a more detailed summary somewhere.

Brian mentioned the even shorter summary of the film is “blood.”

College Pranks is being directed by Tony Fox and stars newbies Kevin Derkash and Victor Frolov. The film is set to shoot this August in Colorado.

Did I mention the blood?...

Around these parts we appreciate true madmen, and they don't come more gloriously crazed than Tim Sullivan. Any time the dude has something new up his sleeve, we're right there to check it out, and word of his latest project has just made its way online! Read on for details.

According to Fangoria next up for everyone's favorite Maniac is Hellions, an ’80s-horror throwback Sullivan gleefully describes as “a cross between Halloween and Juno.”

Sullivan will serve as executive producer on the project, which will be helmed by longtime associate and co-producer Gavin Heffernan. Written by Canadian screenwriter Pascal Trottier, Hellions depicts a night of terror for a 17-year-old girl who must defend herself against an onslaught of hellish creatures on Halloween night. The movie will be produced by Paul Lenart’s Storyteller Pictures in conjunction with The Clubhouse, Sullivan’s newly formed production company with cohorts Heffernan, Brian McCulley and John Crockett.

This past Wednesday, March 16, Dread hit the set of filmmaker Paul Ward’s horror flick One for the Road for an exclusive look at the project, which at the time was shooting in the cold environs of Crestline, California.

While there, we got a chance to chat with Ward and the project’s producer, Tim Sullivan (director of 2001 Maniacs and 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams), as well as to witness the vampiric creature creations of Tom Devlin (Syfy’s "Face Off") and a bit of impressive and unintended pyromania. too, by the rather bemused latter.

Produced by Sullivan (under his New Rebellion Entertainment banner) as the second in his series of ‘Tim Sullivan Presents’ projects (initiated with the upcoming psychological thriller Cut/Print), this short film adaptation of Stephen King’s One for the Road (the original story stands as a sequel to Salem’s Lot) was written and directed by...

Known for the outrageous horror-comedy films 2001 Maniacs and 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams (as well as his hosting duties on the VH1 "Scream Queens 2" reality series), filmmaker Tim Sullivan tipped us off today regarding his latest genre effort, an upcoming short film adaptation of Stephen King’s One for the Road.

The literary sequel to the King novel Salem’s Lot and originally published in the author’s iconic Night Shift horror anthology, Sullivan’s cinematic incarnation is to be written and directed by award-winning Irish filmmaker Paul Ward (Fur Coat and No Knickers, pictured below with Sullivan), and will star horror icon Reggie Bannister of Phantasm fame alongside Fur Coat’s Danny O’Connor and newcomers Audrey Walters, Drew Walters and Karen Andrews. Tom Devlin (who currently can be seen as a contestant on the Syfy reality series "Face Off") will provide One for the Road’s make-up and special effects,...

Here's a rock-video style promo video for horror film "Text," with music by Beau Osland and For the Love of Ivy. Eh, Ok. But what is this movie? Directed by Brian McCulley from a screenplay by Ken Maskrey, the film finds four friends searching the answers to a series of deadly text messages killing students at their high school. It stars Hanna Hall, Reggie Bannister, and Jonathon Trent. . . .