You know, sometimes I hear a tale that just makes me happy. Like two 20-something Australians scrapping and grabbing to make a kick ass, hard-core, legitimate box office horror smash like SAW. But they’ve gotten plenty of media for the time being. So if you don’t know this gent already, let me introduce you to Gary J. Tunnicliffe and the Sweet, Sweet Asssssssss project he’s got in the can.
Gary’s acted as the Special Makeup Designer on HELLRAISER III: HELL ON EARTH and continued in that role through the as yet unreleased DEADER and HELLWORLD. Now that makes him aces in my book right off the bat, because I love everything Hellraiser, even when the movies occasionally suck. And what’s best about the universe? Why the Cenobites and the gore. Call in Mr. Tunnicliffe!
But the reason we visit Gary today is that he directed a short film that will be included on the HELLRAISER: DEADER DVD. He realized that his chances at a shot for directing a feature in the franchise were about as good as spliffs being extinguished after the ridiculous incarceration of Tommy Chong, aka not good. So he grabbed a few friendly crewmates and put together the 6-minute short film, NO MORE SOULS.
The concept revolves around an aged and jaded Pinhead, bereft of souls to harvest in a post-apocalyptic Hell (I just LOVE writing that), forced to face his own restless Cenobites and a hunger that may turn on him. I gotta say kids, this is a 6 minute short and I’m more excited about this than any HELLRAISER since I, II and BLOODLINES. Unfortunately Doug Bradley was unable to fill the role of Pinhead for the short, so Gary himself stepped up to the plate. A potential stumbling block for sure, but with Pinhead being older, I’d guess less of a problem then we might fear. And as you can see from the photo top right, Old Pinhead looks mighty damn cool.
So let’s all give a big WELL DONE to Gary J. Tunnicliffe! He’s a fan living a fan’s dream, and not enough horror is being produced that way. Maybe if the short gets good enough buzz (early word from the few who’ve seen it is very positive), good ole’ Gary will get that chance to direct a HELLRAISER feature. I for one can’t wait to see it.
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