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Tag: Atomic Monster

  • Backrooms: Everything Must Go Edition adds 15 minutes of bonus footage to the hit horror film

    When major studios pivot from exploring cutting-edge AI partnerships to diving back into cinematic releases, the shift is palpable. A24 has recently turned its attention to its catalog, culminating in a highly anticipated re-release of director Kane Parsons’s hit horror film Backrooms on July 3rd.

    But this isn’t just another run. Variety reports that A24 is packaging the film into Backrooms: Everything Must Go Edition>, adding a substantial 15 minutes of exclusive bonus footage. This extended version boosts the running time to 126 minutes, offering fans an even deeper, more immersive dive into the unsettling world of liminal spaces.

    The success of the original film is undeniable. Produced for $10 million, Backrooms has amassed over $330 million worldwide since its release on May 29th, solidifying its status as the highest-grossing film in A24’s history.

    So what is the world of Backrooms about? The film draws its creative inspiration from a series of viral videos released by director Parsons on his YouTube channel, Kane Pixels. These short clips introduced the concept of a young filmmaker falling into another dimension, wandering through an unsettlingly yellow, empty, and labyrinthine office space that may house otherworldly beings.

    Parsons’ series delves into the story of a shadowy organization known as ASYNC, which, in the late 1980s, opened a portal connecting the real world to The Backrooms. While the original viral shorts provided the seed, the feature film takes this concept and transforms it into something entirely new.

    The screenplay for the feature was penned by Will Soodik, known for his work on films like Westworld>. Instead of a simple jump scare, the movie follows a furniture store operator who stumbles upon an endless array of liminal spaces hidden within the store’s basement. This exploration of liminality and psychological dread elevates the viral concept into a profound cinematic experience.

    The cast brings an impressive collection of talent to the project, including Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Renate Reinsve (The Worst Person in the World), Mark Duplass (Creep), Finn Bennett (True Detective), Lukita Maxwell (Shrinking), and Avan Jogia (Zombieland: Double Tap). A24 and Chernin Entertainment are co-financing the project, with producers including Shawn Levy and Dan Levine of 21 Laps and James Wan and Michael Clear of Atomic Monster}.

    Credit: JoBlo

  • New RoboCop TV series executive produced by James Wan might start filming in January

    When Amazon acquired MGM in 2022 for a staggering $8.5 billion, it wasn’t just a financial maneuver; it was a strategic grab for cinematic history. This massive deal provided ownership of thousands of films and television shows, setting the stage for some incredibly exciting creative possibilities across the entertainment landscape.

    Among the diverse assets acquired by Amazon MGM Studios were several beloved properties, including Poltergeist, Stargate, The Thomas Crown Affair, Legally Blonde, Rocky, and the iconic RoboCop. While many studio acquisitions yield a mix of genres, the potential for exploring these cinematic worlds has always been intriguing, but it is the chance to revive an action classic that truly captivates.

    The focus recently turned intensely toward the future of the RoboCop franchise. The plan to bring this gritty, futuristic tale back to life took a significant leap forward in 2024 with announcements cementing a major creative partnership.

    James Wan, the acclaimed director known for crafting thrilling horror and action spectacles like Saw, The Conjuring, and Aquaman, has joined the project as an executive producer. This infusion of talent signals that the planned revival of the cyborg lawman is going to be anything but ordinary.

    Reports indicate that Wan will not only guide the vision but will also be directing key episodes of the upcoming series. The production team is assembling a powerful crew, including Peter Ocko, who has been hired to serve as the writer, executive producer, and showrunner for the project. Other key figures include Michael Clear and Rob Hackett, alongside Danielle Bozzone overseeing the production for Atomic Monster.

    The foundation of the story remains rooted in the 1987 film that introduced us to Alex Murphy: a police officer transformed into a cybernetic enforcer grappling with the darkness of Detroit. The original narrative saw how an armed confrontation led to his development into RoboCop.

    The new television series aims to capture this core theme, providing an exciting update on the legacy. Its official logline promises a high-stakes adventure: A giant tech conglomerate collaborates with the local police department to introduce a technologically advanced enforcer to combat rising crime — a police officer who’s part man, part machine.

    Beyond adapting the classic setting, the series introduces fresh angles. It will feature a new cybernetic lawman named Marc Kyle. Unlike the original protagonist, Kyle begins his journey not as an officer, but as a soldier, only to face a destiny where he becomes a cyborg and learns to navigate life under Murphy’s tutelage.

    While details about the filming locations have seen some discussion among production sources—with speculation ranging from Toronto to Vancouver—the commitment is clear. With a six-month shoot planned to kick off in January, this high-octane vision is gearing up to hit the screen, promising a thrilling evolution of one of cinema’s most enduring anti-heroes.

    Credit: JoBlo