Hellraiser Re-make with Pascal Laugier to direct
Pascal Laugier (director of the controversial horror film Martyrs), is in final negotiations to write and direct Dimension’s re-imagining of Clive Barker Presents: Hellraiser, one of Clive Barker’s best-loved creations.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the original Hellraiser was released in 1987 and told the story of an unfaithful wife who attempts to assist her dead lover in his escape from hell. The movie introduced viewers to a race of demons called Cenobites, most notably Pinhead, who was summoned using an antique puzzle box.
Dimension Studios has been hoping to re-launch the franchise over the past couple of years, first hiring Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo to write and direct a remake but then tapping Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton to write a newest draft of the script.
“This is a dream project for me,” Laugier said. “I know Clive Barker’s work very well, and I would never betray what he has done. Fans are expecting a definitive ‘Hellraiser,’ and I don’t want to take that away from them.”
Laugier’s film, Martyrs appeared at the Festival de Cannes because of its unrelenting violent nature. The movie was hit with a 18+ rating — a rarity in France which is the equivalent of an NC-17 in the U.S.
I never saw Hellraiser as a kid but recently saw it a couple of years ago and I am glad this is being re-made not because I care but since the old one didn’t scare me that much I am hoping the new one will give me some thrills and chills.
