In about 2 years, I’m envisioning turning on E! for a True Hollywood Story episode titled ‘Whatever happened to Eli Roth’. It’d start off with his success with CABIN FEVER and HOSTEL, then into the bomb known as HOSTEL 2 and him blaming the internet for the film’s overall downfall. Then it’d talk about how after HOSTEL 2’s failure, he quickly ‘dropped’ out of doing Stephen King’s CELL… and right into writing/directing an episode of HEROES: ORIGINS for TV.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Roth has been tapped to write and direct an episode of the spin-off series for NBC. Writer Michael Dougherty (TRICK R’ TREAT) has also been signed up to write an episode, as well as writer/director Kevin Smith. So it’s not like Roth’s jumping on board a sinking ship (or directing an episode of GOSSIP GIRL for the new CW), but he is taking a few steps back from cinematic horror… which, I suppose, could be a good thing.
I’d like nothing more than to see Roth take King’s CELL to the big screen, and if he feels like he has to do this first in order to get his groove back, then by all means… direct an episode of HEROES: ORIGINS! But don’t make this your new career direction, as I know Roth has talent for horror in there somewhere, he just needs to slow down and not just crank it out. What I’d like that episode of True Hollywood Story to end with is he came back with CELL and was on top again… and not, was found a year later smokin’ crack with Britney Spears in a Las Vegas alleyway. Because, let’s face it, that would suck… for everyone.
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