The Podcast Macabre

Hello, Fright Fans! We’re off for the next two weeks (although there will be another “Field Trip” episode available on, or around, New Year’s Day), but here’s some horror-related news items to keep you “in the know”:

• In an exclusive, Bloody Disgusting has announced that Nick Castle will return as “The Shape” in the upcoming “Halloween” film from Blumhouse. Also getting the chance to play Michael Myers, stunt performer and actor James Jude Courtney will share time behind the mast with Nick Castle.

 

• Netflix renews German original series DARK for a second season. “DARK is set in a German town in present day where the disappearance of two young children exposes the double lives and fractured relationships among four families. In ten, hour-long episodes, the story takes on a supernatural twist that ties back to the same town in 1986. Written by Jantje Friese and directed Baran bo Odar (Who Am I – No System is Safe), DARK is a chilling mystery-drama-series: an intricate puzzle full of twists. Slick camerawork and realistic performances enhance a textured web of curious characters, all of whom have a connection to the town’s troubled history, whether they know it or not.” This is one I’ve not had the chance to watch for myself yet, but hope to binge at some point soon.

 

• At the end of Season 1 Fox’s “The Exorcist” was on the bubble for renewal due to its ratings. At the end of Season 2 series creator Jeremy Slater tells Entertainment Weekly that the series is once again in limbo. This time it’s due to the uncertainty surrounding the recent 20th Century Fox/Disney deal.

 

• Heather North, the voice of Daphne on ‘Scooby-Doo,’ died at 71, per The Holly Reporter. Condolences to  her family, friends, and fellow fans.

 

• Elvis is back in the IDW comic series “Bubba-Ho-Tep and the Cosmic Blood-Suckers.” This comic book prequel to the original story by Joe R. Lansdale, adapted in a 2002 film starring Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis, is co-written by Lansdale with Joshua Jabcuga, and illustrated by Todd Galusha. The story revolves around President Nixon tasking “the King” with taking on extraterrestrials. Watch for issue one in March 2018.

 

• In another exclusive, Bloody Disgusting reported that “It” will have that previously promised Director’s Cut. While the film is already available on digital platforms, with DVD/Blu-ray/4K Ultra HD set to release on 1/9/18 director Andy Muschietti revealed on Instagram the Director’s Cut will arrive “in a few months.”

 

• While we’re still waiting on the “What We Do In The Shadows” sequel “We’re Wolves” fans of  will get a return to that world in the new spinoff television series “Wellington Paranormal.” Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement bring back Shadows’ police unit members Mike Minogue and Karen O’Leary to hunt ghosts, werewolves and to deal with demonic possessions. Six 30-minute episodes are due to air in mid-2018, but there’s no firm release date for countries outside of New Zealand at this time.

 

• Deadline reports that Amazon will pass on all three of its 2017 Fall Pilot Season Shows. This includes “Sea Oak”, a zombie comedy starring Emmy-winner Glenn Close. Close was to play Aunt Bernie, who died in a home-invasion only to return as a zombie hellbent to to “get the life she never had.”

 

• The 1956 psychological horror film, “The Bad Seed” is scheduled for a remake at Lifetime. Rob Lowe will direct and star in the movie, as the father of young girl who just may be the “personification of evil.”

 

• “Another WolfCop” filmmaker Lowell Dean shares his thoughts on the future of the franchise in an interview with Tom Holland’s Terror Time. As a huge fan of the first film, who’s dying to see the sequel when it’s available, I hope we get more down the line.

 

• If you need to get caught up on “Ash vs. Evil Dead” ahead of its Season 3 premiere on STARZ this February 25th, you’re in luck. Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on Netflix! 

 

• While Guillermo del Toro’s “The Shape of Water” is expanding nationwide today, you may also currently catch Part 2 of “Trollhunters”, his wonderful animated series, on Netflix.

 

• As briefly mentioned on our “Stranger Things” Season 2 recap episodes, David Harbour revealed to Variety that Season 3 might not be released until 2019. 

 

• The sixth installment of the “Tremors” film franchise will be titled “Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell”, and it’s set for a may 2018 release. Burt Gummer actor, Michael Gross, also revealed that he will not appear in the now filming “Tremors” television series, and Kevin Bacon’s character, Valentine McKee, will not appear in the film.

 

• Writer Cullen Bunn talks to Bleeding Cool about his upcoming Dynamite Entertainment comic series, “Pumpkinhead.” 

That wraps up this week’s horror news. Check back with us this time next week for another recap of the happenings in the wonder world of horror.