Variety reports today that Lakeshore Entertainment and Lionsgate (who both collaborated on the action-thriller CRANK set for release this September) are set to bring one of Clive Barker’s short stories to life. And no, it’s not a long-lost HELLRAISER or the perpetually shelved TORTURED SOULS.
MIDNIGHT TRAIN (otherwise known as the slightly pornographic title MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN) is set to begin filming this summer, with FX whiz Patrick Tatopoulos at the helm, with the screenplay adapted by Jeff Buhler. The film’s international rights are being shopped around at Cannes at the moment, while the film’s North American release is slated for next year. In case you’re wondering, MIDNIGHT TRAIN is from Barker’s ‘Books of Blood’ series, and follows the story of Leon, a Gotham-based photographer whose efforts to track down “the subway butcher” lead to an unholy secret (and no, it has nothing to do with Batman).
Personally, I never really got into Barker’s stuff after HELLRAISER, simply because it was too off the wall for my tastes. But hey, the guy has some serious talent in that head of his, so it might be worthwhile to check this one out.