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On the 216th episode of the Bigfanboy Livecast (each and every Thursday night on Talkshoe), screenwriter Todd Farmer joined the show once again to talk a bit about the upcoming Nicolas Cage film DRIVE ANGRY 3D, directed by his MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D collaborator Patrick Lussier.  But that’s not all that was covered.  We eventually worked our way into discussing the HELLRAISER reboot Todd and Patrick are working on, the HALLOWEEN III project they were working on, and whether or not we’ll ever see a sequel to MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D.  Todd and I have known each other for years, and met through our mutual friends Thomas Jane and Tim Bradstreet, who Farmer collaborated with on some comic book projects.  If you listen to the show, and hear us mention Tom or Tim, that’s the reference.  To hear the entire episode right-click HERE and save the MP3, or click HERE and open your selected media player to hear it streaming (also available through iTunes)

To start with, Todd jumped right into talking about DRIVE ANGRY 3D, which sounds like it was a difficult project to get made, but ultimately pleasing in the end.  Farmer also appears in the film as “Frank”, which is a direct nod to the cameo he had as a character named “Frank” in MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D.  I asked Todd if we’d ever see Frank get his own film, which he quickly said was doubtful.  He did mention that Frank in the new film has a scene with Nic, a scene with Amber Heard, and a scene with William Fichtner… which just from the sound of it means the role is considerably more meaty than his Frank was in VALENTINE.  Farmer also discussed some of the changes that were made to Cage’s character from the script to the finished film, including changes Nic came up with.  We also sang the praises of William Fichtner, and Todd noted that Fichtner will have a role written for him in every movie Farmer and Lussier write.  We also talked at length about the budgetary constraints of the film, and some of the unusual expectations of the “suits”… let’s just say that part is interesting.  Hearing what Todd says about Patrick’s end of the day ritual gives me a whole new respect for the guy.  I liked him before, this elevated that a lot.

One of the questions in our chat room was whether or not we’d see a sequel to MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D, which was very successful for Lions Gate Films, and widely embraced by horror fans.  Oddly enough the answer is apparently no.  Despite LGF’s amazing success with the SAW franchise, and strong connection with horror movies, for whatever reason they didn’t actively want to pursue a sequel.  Strange.  Not sure if Todd or Patrick get that either.  Apparently they went to LGF with DRIVE ANGRY first… and the studio said no to that too.

Then we moved into the HALLOWEEN III project.  There is a script, Todd says it’s good, and that everyone who has read it loves it.  Apparently the only person who hasn’t read it is Bob Weinstein… the only one who can green light it.  The script had to be written in eight days… yes, 8 days, and they finished it a day early.  So it’s done, but not going anywhere for the moment.  But Bob told Todd and Patrick to do HELLRAISER instead.  Farmer notes that the HELLRAISER film would not really be called a remake, or a sequel either, but that it will exist in its own little world.  As for whether or not Pinhead would be in it, or play as big of a role, Todd simply said “I don’t know.”  There’s also a funny bit about some of the fans and their over-reactions to this reboot.  They haven’t talked to Clive Barker, though he’s attached, but they’re open to discussing ideas with him over the project.  Farmer did note it is definitely moving forward, and the rumors of it being PG-13 are ludicrous and totally false.  He mentions this will be “disturbing” and “darker”, not even as upbeat as the ending of MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D… which wasn’t that happy of an ending anyway.  I think we can look forward to a Barker-worthy treatment, and perhaps a bold new vision of modern day horror.

Todd is currently working with Tom Jane and Tim Bradstreet on THE DEVIL’S COMMANDOS, a personal movie project of the trio which has been in the works for a few years, which Todd admits he needs to get back into the groove of.  As for future projects no one knows about, he and Patrick have a spec the higher ups want them to do a “remake” of, but they’re pushing for a sequel in the sense of what TRON: Legacy did, following up a known property with a film that connects be also re-imagines things – he couldn’t say what the project was though.  Farmer’s comic book project ALIEN PIG FARM has apparently been optioned by PINEAPPLE EXPRESS director David Gordon Green!  Finishing out the interview, we heard there’s also a chance we’ll see Todd’s name on more comic books in the near future, which is good news to hear.  To listen to the entire episode (Todd is on for the first 50 minutes) right-click HERE and save the MP3, or click HERE and open your selected media player to hear it streaming (also available through iTunes).

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