Bad News: A HELLRAISER Remake Is Happening. Good News: Clive Barker Is Writing It
The Hellraiser series has been totally run into the ground over the last few years. Rather than leave well enough alone (and, you know, create something new to take its place), Dimension Films has decided to remake the original in the hopes of restarting the franchise. We've known that for a while (and honestly, even if we don't know a remake of a horror classic is in the cards we can safely assume it), but today we got pretty good news: Clive Barker will be writing it.
He made the announcement on Facebook: "The idea of my coming back to the original film and telling the story with a fresh intensity-honoring the structure and the designs from the first incarnation but hopefully creating an even darker and richer film-was attractive to Dimension. Today I have officially been invited to write the script based upon that pitch."
Barker seems to have a very hands-on role in the film, as he claims his wish for a low-pixel count movie is being honored. "t will not be a film awash with CGI. I remain as passionate about the power of practical make-up effects as I was when I wrote and directed the first HELLRAISER." And he's also having a say in casting: "Of course the best make-up in the world loses force if not inhabited by a first-rate actor. I told the Dimension team that in my opinion there could never be a Pinhead without Doug Bradley,and much to my delight Bob Weinstein agreed."
So according to Clive we can expect a darker, more intense remake of the original film using practical effects and a returning Doug Bradley as Pinhead.
It's quite possible the Hellraiser remake will stink, but at least with Clive Barker writing it might stink in an honest way. At this point that's all I ask from bad Hollywood movies: make an effort, at least.
