**Horror News, End of June**
As we approach the end of the month in the dark depths of the horror world, two pieces of news have emerged today on some upcoming projects that are sure to ignite discussion amongst the community.
Firstly, Child’s Play creator Don Mancini has announced he will be working on his seventh instalment from the killer doll franchise. Teasing ideas surrounding the potential plot line, Mancini plans to continue taking Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif) down his original horror roots rather than the comedy angle that was taken in 1998’s cult classic Bride of Chucky or 2004’s less successful offering Seed of Chucky.
The slash-worthy, seventh sequel will kick off where last year’s surprise success Curse of Chucky (2013) left off, the iconic Chucky will return to torment his new nemesis Nica, meaning Fiona Dourif will be reprising her role once again. Proving to be a resourceful and determined ‘final girl type’, Nica’s return is a welcome one. Mancini was also questioned on whether Jennifer Tilly (Chucky’s Bride, Tiffany) or Alex Vincent (Andy Barclay from the original trilogy) will be included in the film, considering Curse’s ending featured a cameo and hints towards them both, however at this stage he claims its early days to discuss any further but left fans up in the air by announcing ‘Who Knows’?
…
The latest piece of genre info that emerged today isn’t one I’m particularly looking forward to. So, we’re due another remake of an unforgettable Japanese shocker? That’s right, Takashi Miike’s quietly brutal 1999 film Audition is getting a US make over. The Asia Extreme frightmare was one of the most suspenseful and gritty horror movies of the decade, but sources say that the remake is actually an adaptation of the 1997 Ryu Murakami novel that Miike’s version was based upon. Australian director Richard Gray is on board and will be writing his own screenplay for the upcoming feature.
According to The Guardian, the Hollywood remake will focus on a lonely man named Sam Davis who is encouraged by a filmmaker friend to hold auditions for a new wife following the death of his first, seven years prior. Sam meets an enigmatic ballerina with a past just as mysterious, but is she all she seems? Fans of Miike’s violent, spine-tingling chiller will be aware of the dark depths the plot takes. Audition, has never needed the remake treatment, being a clever yet disturbing film all on its own. Whether it will be successful, who knows? I personally suggest, Get your own ideas Hollywood!
…
During my write-up of last year’s Abertoir Horror Festival, I discussed a cultural, game-changer from Laos. Mattie Do is the first female director from her country and not only that she created the first horror film there too. Chanthaly was a hauntingly beautiful, supernatural tale about a young woman coming to terms with her mother’s death during childhood, searching for answers to questions unanswered by her strict father. Do faced restrictions within her culture regarding imagery she could include within the film (Laos is a communist country), therefore no scenes of gore or intimacy of any kind.
Following a fantastic response to the film, she is now planning her second, Nong Hak which translates to Dearest Sister, Do has campaigned via indie-go-go in order to raise the funds for the film which sounds like yet another innovative project. She also raised $15,000 of the funds locally and has reached her target from the help of dedicated supporters. There’s still a few days to donate if you can so check out this link (including Do’s humorous campaign video) : nong-hak-dearest-sister-a-lao-horror-film, share it around and spread the word. Nong Hak will be the 13th Laon film and the most ambitious, definitely an exciting time for the country’s cinema and something exciting to get involved in.
…
Congratulations to indie, genre director Jessica Cameron, as London’s Film 4’s Fright Fest festival recently announced its line-up its emerged that Cameron’s eagerly-anticipated grisly Truth or Dare will be making its UK debut in August, marking the fesitval’s 14th year. This means the film may potentially screen around other UK festivals later in the year. Fingers Crossed.
…
Hayley’s Horror Reviews has a few things lined up for July, so keep your eyeballs peeled, plus more from my contributions at Love Horror and Ghostface Girls on the way.
…
Hayley Alice Roberts.
mshayleyr1989.wordpress.com 
June 30, 2014 at 5:07 pm
Audition was a truly disturbing movie, not sure a re-make could capture what the original film had, there have been a couple of asian horror re-makes that got close for me though..the Grudge I thought kept a lot of it’s creepy unease from the original JU-ON. And recently, though it’s not a horror move, I enjoyed the new version of Oldboy. Not a patch on the original but suprisingly good nonetheless. And Chucky for me is definitely gore and humour, as long as the brilliant Brad Douriff continues to voice him, I’m there.
June 30, 2014 at 5:16 pm
That’s my issue with it being remade. It was one of those films that is powerful enough to shock an audience, so can the same shock value and unease be re-created? Hmm, I didn’t mind The Grudge remake so much, mainly because of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s performance. Ju-On has different aspects in it as well. I didn’t see the remake of OldBoy but what you’ve said is interesting. Totally in agreement about Chucky! The right balance of dark horror & humour will work perfectly. I was very impressed with Curse of Chucky.