#simon oakes

Legendary and Hammer Films Developing Quatermass Movie Revival

David Farr is penning a script that will return the 1950s British sci-fi icon to the big screen. Hammer Films and Legendary Entertainment have partnered for a movie reboot of hero Bernard Quatermass. Coming to prominence in a series of successful BBC 1950s TV series and a trio of films from Hammer Film Productions over the next two decades, the Quatermass character, created by Nigel Kneale, is often pointed out as a precursor to Doctor Who.

Holy Water and Unholy Ghosts – The Resurrection of Hammer

Hammer, perhaps the most iconic horror movie company in the world, mirrored some of its classic films to come back from the dead. But what happened next? Kieran Judge examines...

Hammer Films and BBC Radio 4 Unleash ‘The Unquenchable Thirst of Dracula’

Mark Gatiss directs The Unquenchable Thirst of Dracula as part of Fright Night on Radio 4

Sherlock co-creator, Mark Gatiss, has directed an unmade Hammer Horror script set in 1930s India – The Unquenchable Thirst of Dracula.

The cast includes Nikesh Patel, Meera Syal, Kulvinder Ghir, Anna Madeley, Ayesha Dharker, Raj Ghatek, Lewis MacLeod as Dracula and Michael Sheen narrates.

Mark Gatiss said: “What better way to celebrate Hallowe’en than with a lost Hammer movie? And not just any Hammer movie! Anthony Hind’s thrillingly titled ‘The Unquenchable Thirst of Dracula’ is a wonderful, rich and atmospheric script and way ahead of its time – set in the 30s, a sort of ‘Heat and Dust and Fangs’! It was nearly made in the early 70s on location in India and I was thrilled to assemble a fantastic cast […]  to bring this forgotten gem to gory life.”

Simon Oakes, CEO Hammer Films, said: “We’re delighted at Hammer Horror to see this wonderful script finally brought to life and to have its world premiere on Radio 4. We are a keen to develop a film version next as there’s so much in the writing and concept that can work for a modern audience. It’s re-imagining by Mark Gatiss here is just the beginning of a new future for the project.”

The script was adapted for radio by Mark Gatiss and Laurence Bowen of Dancing Ledge Productions.

Laurence Bowen said: “What a treat to find another lost treasure in this unmade Hammer Horror script, and who better to make it than the impresario of British horror: Mark Gatiss. Dracula still at large in 1930s India, combining forces with an ancient Indian blood cult which preys on victims in secret ancient caverns beneath an ancient palace. Welcome to Halloween 2017!”

NEON Takes The Lodge

The Riley Keough starrer had its debut at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25. Sources close to the deal say that the US rights to the Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala horror films were obtained for $2 million and calls for a traditional theatrical release.

Keough stars as a soon-to-be-stepmom who is snowed in with her fiance's two children at a remote cabin. Jaeden Martell, Lia McHugh, Alicia Silverstone, Richard Armitage and Daniel Keough round out the cast.

Riley Keough to star in 'The Lodge' for 'Hammer Films and FilmNation  

FilmNation has introduced the previously announced project to buyers heading into the AFM next week and is producing with Hammer Films’ Simon Oakes and Marc Schipper, and serves as financier.

Production is scheduled to begin in January and Endeavor Content and FilmNation represent US rights.

Severin Fiala and Veronica Franz, whose Goodnight Mommy was Austria’s foreign language Oscar entry in 2016, will direct the story of two siblings who spend the night alone with their new stepmother.

Stuck in a remote mountain cabin, the trio are terrorised by a supernatural force. Sergio Casci, Franz and Fiala wrote the screenplay from an original idea by Casci.