A couple weeks back we reported that while there is no real plans for a PHANTASM remake/relaunch/re-whatever-the-f*ck they call these things now, there are baby steps being taken toward a brand new entry in the franchise (read about that here).
Well, an interview with Don Coscarelli, the mad scientist behind the movies, reveals a bit about what’s to come, as well as what might have been.
As for the latter, Coscarelli says to to the boys at Dread Central:“I hate to tell you this, but as of now the epic Phantasm project, which was originally called Phantasm 1999 and had a script by Roger Avary, will definitely not be made. The screenplay was hyper violent, epic in scope, had a terrific role for Bruce Campbell in it, but we just couldn’t find a studio exec who was visionary enough to see the potential.” Which also means that it would’ve cost way too much for a movie about a steel ball that drills through skulls and a well-dressed old dude who robs graves. But oh the possibilities with Bruce Campbell involved!
There’s still hope for the future though: “The fans and the cast members are always asking me when the next one’s going to be, so we rolled around ideas and finally we have a screenplay written. It’s really quite interesting in that it answers a lot of questions amazingly; now it’s just a question of finding the opportunity to get this thing going. The short answer is yes.”
Check out Dread Central to hear more from Don, as well as to learn about the uber-cool new PHANTASM DVD that Anchor Bay is releasing.
And just for fun, I found the synopsis for Roger Avary’s screenplay, entitled PHANTASM’S END. Sounds ambitious to say the least.
“The year is 2012 and there are only three U.S. states left. Between New York and California is the wasteland known as the Plague Zone. Unfortunately, the evil Tall Man controls that area. Since many people are dead, the Tall Man is able to make thousands of dwarf slaves for his planet daily in the Mormon Mausoleum. Besides him, the other residents are “baggers,” human-like creatures that are infected by the Tall Man’s blood, the dwarves, and, of course, the silver spheres, all trying to break out of the barrier that contains them and into the real world. A group of hi-tech troops are sent in to destroy the red dimension where the Tall Man gets his power. Reggie follows so he can find Mike after a series of nightmares he had. Will they be able to finally destroy the Tall Man for good?”
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