Clive Barker isn’t done with Hellraiser. The legendary horror writer and filmmaker says the new video game has given him fresh inspiration for the franchise, and he hopes to bring more of his ideas to the screen.
In an exclusive interview with Dread Central, conducted to celebrate the release of Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival, Barker called the game a “wake-up call” for those who have worked on established horror franchises. He also discussed his plans for the Hellraiser universe, his frustrations with the franchise’s past, and his long-standing creative partnership with Doug Bradley, who returns as the voice of Pinhead in the game.
“I think what was achieved in the game is a wake-up call to anyone who’s been involved in the making of a franchise like Hellraiser. It says to get your ideas warmed over so you can go back into existing worlds in a brand new way. I have many ideas that I’d like to see realized in the Hellraiser universe, and I’m planning to keep my fingers in that pie.”
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Clive Barker Wants to Expand the Hellraiser Mythology
Barker has been gathering ideas for future stories, including concepts inspired by a visit to Rome and the Vatican. The artwork and sculptures he encountered there, along with the darker history of the Inquisition, helped him imagine new possibilities for his version of Hell. He also cited the Italian horror classics Black Sunday and Suspiria as inspirations.
“I’d love to have another go at it and explore. I think Hellraiser is a mythology that could be given some real space to develop and expand upon myth. We’re doing some of that in the new comic books, but I’d love to go further in the movies. I have a lot of ideas that I’ve kept waiting in the wings to get going as Hellraiser films and in other media.”
The most recent Hellraiser movie was David Bruckner’s 2022 Hulu reimagining, which introduced Jamie Clayton as the Hell Priest. Whether Barker’s ideas will lead to another film remains to be seen, but Revival has clearly reminded him how much potential the property still holds.
Clive Barker Criticizes the Weinstein-Era Hellraiser Sequels
Barker’s enthusiasm for the game comes alongside some frustration with the franchise’s history. He secured the return of his U.S. copyright interests in The Hellbound Heart and his original Hellraiser screenplay, effective December 2021. In his interview with Dread Central, he described the personal significance of that development:
“It meant that I never had to go into Bob Weinstein’s office and hear him admit that he owed me money but wouldn’t give it to me unless I gave him another Hellraiser script. There are many of the Hellraiser movies that were made by the Weinstein brothers that were created simply to hold onto the rights. Over time they spent less and less on them. A lot of amazing creative people got worked over as a consequence. It’s not the fault of the writers and directors, but just the way the system works in some cases. It’s a sad thing.”
Doug Bradley Returns as Pinhead in Hellraiser: Revival
One of the biggest attractions of Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival is the return of Doug Bradley as Pinhead. Bradley played the character in the original eight Hellraiser films, helping turn the Cenobite into one of horror’s most recognizable figures. The game also embraces the graphic violence and disturbing imagery associated with Barker’s creation. Barker admitted that he had worried the developers might be forced to tone down the material, but he was impressed by the finished product.
Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. In JoBlo’s review, Hellraiser: Revival Review: This Game Is Legendary, Even in Hell! Michael Conway praised the game’s oppressive atmosphere, its commitment to the franchise’s disturbing sexuality and violence, and Bradley’s return as Pinhead, while noting that the controls could use some refinement.
For Barker, the game’s willingness to embrace the stranger, darker corners of Hellraiser seems to have reaffirmed that the mythology still has places to go. Whether those ideas eventually become movies or take shape in other media, the creator has made it clear: he still has plenty of Hellraiser stories he wants to tell.
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