WOLF CREEK Comes To LA For Screamfest
The first couple months that I lived in LA, I was alone. I didn't have my wife (or even our cats!) here with me, didn't really have many friends, and my "until I get a real one" job didn't really leave me much in the way of spending money. So on Christmas Day, 2005, having no one to eat with or money to splurge on anything more appealing, I went to a movie that would match my depressing reality: Wolf Creek. Dimension had a weird tradition for a while of releasing horror movies on Christmas as counter-programming, but they were usually more fun (The Faculty and Black Xmas are some others). Wolf Creek was decidely not a grand ol' time at the movies. And audiences weren't exactly endeared to it then - it can proudly claim to be part of the rare F Cinemascore club (note - nearly all of the movies in this group are at least interesting and worth seeing - it's the C cinemascore types that you should avoid), and while profitable ($16m gross on a $1m budget), its take still paled considerably to other hardcore horror films of the time like Saw II and Hostel, and thus it seemed Mick Taylor would not be joining Freddy and Jason in the horror hall of fame.
But we were wrong! A few years ago, writer/director Greg McLean managed to get a sequel off the ground, one I actually prefer to the original as it's much less depressing and lets John Jarratt cut loose from the start (in the original, he's introduced as a would-be Good Samaritan - think Jim Siedow in the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre compared to TCM2), and now Pop will be bringing him back once again for a six episode event series, created and directed by McLean. And to pay tribute to his big-screen origins, on October 19th they will be showing the first two episodes at Screamfest here in LA - for free! And you get popcorn too! Read on for more info about the TV series (which premieres tonight), and don't forget to sign up for tickets here - it's free so it will be packed. Get your name on the list and get there early. There will be a reception before the screening with trivia (hosted by one of my horror trivia teammates!) and other fun stuff. Plus, Jarratt will be doing a Q&A after the screening. Not bad for zero dollars, I must say. See you there!
LOS ANGELES, CA – Inspired by one of the most terrifying, cult movie franchises ever released in theaters, named one of “The 25 best horror movies since 2000” (AV Squad), one of “The 100 Best Horror films” (Time Out), and one of “The 25 Best Horror Movies Since The Shining” (Vulture), the six-part television event, WOLF CREEK, is a psychological thriller premiering exclusively on Pop on Friday, October 14 at 10:00 PM, ET/PT.
In conjunction with Lionsgate Television and Zodiak Rights (a Banijay Group company), the WOLF CREEK television series on Pop stars John Jarratt, who reprises his movie role as the murdering psychopath Mick Taylor, wreaking havoc in the Australian Outback—except this time, things are different. The television series immediately turns the entire genre on its head when a 19-year-old American college student, played by rising star Lucy Fry, survives the massacre of her parents and little brother and sets out to hunt down the killer and avenge her family.
Based on true events, the original WOLF CREEK movie was introduced in 2005 at the Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals before achieving global box office success and cult film status among horror fans around the world.
“WOLF CREEK is holy !#@$! scary!” said Greg McLean, Executive Producer of the WOLF CREEK television series and the writer, director and producer of the WOLF CREEK movies. “The television series delivers the same pulse-pounding tension and terror of the films combined with a storyline that evolves into a suspense filled, character driven psychological thriller. In many ways, WOLF CREEK is more like a Western—set in the untamed, desolate landscape of the Australian Outback, with gritty characters and an immersive story of revenge and good versus evil.”
“WOLF CREEK is a binge-worthy, premium revenge tale that we are thrilled to bring fans at the perfect time of the year,” said Brad Schwartz, President, Pop. “To turn everything you expect from a horror film around and hunt the psychopath through a strong and singularly-focused female protagonist is thrilling to watch. It is probably the scariest series to ever premiere on basic cable and will have viewers hooked 13:40 minutes into the first episode.”
The story of WOLF CREEK begins when an American family is on holiday in Northern Australia and becomes the unsuspecting prey of Mick Taylor, a sadistic serial killer who hunts and kills tourists in the Outback. The sole survivor is Eve Thorogood, a college student, who vows to bring the killer to justice or die in the attempt. The story of WOLF CREEK reveals her complex and extraordinary journey, traveling every step of the way as she evolves from child to adult, from prey to predator. But can she triumph over Mick Taylor, evil incarnate?
John Jarratt is a television and film actor, producer and director from Australia. Jarratt is best known for his chilling performance as the iconic character Mick Taylor in the feature films “Wolf Creek” and “Wolf Creek 2.” His previous credits also include Peter Weir’s “Picnic At Hanging Rock,” Baz Luhrmann’s “Australia” and Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained.”
Lucy Fry is a film and television actress. Most recently, Fry starred opposite James Franco in the Warner Bros. for Hulu mini-series “11.22.63.” She is also known for her roles in director Joseph Castelo’s indie film “The Preppie Connection” and Mark Waters’ fantasy feature “Vampire Academy.”
A STAN original, WOLF CREEK is produced by Screentime (a Banijay Group company), in association with Emu Creek Pictures and financed with the assistance of Screen Australia and the South Australian Film Corporation.
