Indie
Jean-Claude Van Damme in Talks to Hunt a Serial Killer in ‘The Legend of Johnny Jones’
One of the craziest titles launching at the forthcoming Cannes market is High Octane Pictures’ The Legend of Johnny Jones, a horror film that has Jean-Claude Van Damme (Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Universal Soldier, Timecop, Cyborg) in talks to star as a detective hunting down a serial killer, played by Robert Crayton (Ant-Man, “Ballers”), Bloody Disgusting learned.
The film is to be directed by Massimiliano Cerchi (The Night Shift, Insane, Lockdown) and feature the likes of Danny Trejo (Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn, Grindhouse, Predators, Machete, Machete Kills), Kevin Sorbo (“Hercules”), Michael Paré (Streets of Fire, Village of the Damned, Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich), Costas Mandylor (Saw III-Saw VII), Tom Arnold (True Lies), and Clifton Powell (Deep Rising), among others.
“Set in the housing projects of New Jersey, a young Johnny Jones (Robert Crayton) has only known poverty and abuse his entire life. Pushed to the edge, Johnny Jones suffers a mental breakdown and goes on a killing spree like none other in history, leaving a wake of death and carnage wherever he goes. As tensions and murder continue to get worse, the city calls Detective Cutchin (Jean-Claude Van Damme) to take over the case and bring Johnny Jones to justice.”
Bloody Disgusting is told this is the first film in a planned trilogy that would also cross over into two other franchises (Detour 95 and The Street Avenger) being developed by Angry Troll Studio.
Johnny Jones will establish the continuity of the universe of films and introduce viewers to the character Candace (portrayed by Siren Mistfallen), who leads Detour 95 franchise, we’re told. The Street Avenger, also part of the universe, is being portrayed by music artist Mischa Renee.
Matthew Clark penned the screenplay and also playing the psychotic killer in Detour 95.
Shooting has yet to take place.
Robert Crayton in Murderville USA
Her House of Horrors, the horror division of Independent Production House WOMXNOGRAPHY, has launched its Bite Size Short Grant Program, ahead of its film festival Dollhouse of Horror, which will take place in March 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.
The Bite Size Short Grant Program awards $2,000 film grants to female-identifying and queer horror filmmakers. Shorts must be able to be made for $2,000, with a minimum runtime of 8 minutes. Submissions are now open on Filmfreeway, and are being judged by a panel of horror lovers and content creators.
The 2024 Bite Size Short Grant Program judge lineup is as follows:
“James H. Carter II- A documentary director, film producer, podcaster, marketing specialist, and writer. James is the founder and co-owner of Creepy Kingdom. Creepy Kingdom was founded in 2011 and is a multimedia website, and production studio specializing in creepy content. Their primary focus lies at the intersection of childlike fantasy and the macabre, covering horror films, theme parks, haunts, and much more. Beyond their extensive media coverage, Creepy Kingdom hosts events, offers original merchandise, and engages in film production under the Creepy Kingdom Studios brand producing original films like “Foolish Mortals”, exploring Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” fan culture, and “Georgie”, featuring Tony Dakota from the original “It” miniseries.
“In addition to founding Creepy Kingdom, James has won awards for his documentary work, including the award-winning “Foolish Mortals,” which has earned him recognition. He has been featured on Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween special.
“Ashleeta Beauchamp is the editor-in-chief of Peek-A-Boo! Magazine, a cheeky horror magazine created to uplift marginalized writers, artists, models and other creators within the horror community. She also runs The Halloween Coalition, a community group to provide support and marketing for horror and Halloween events around the Southern California area.
“Titeanya Rodríguez is a multi-hyphenate creative, and the founder and owner of HER HOUSE OF HORRORS, home of DOLLHOUSE OF HORROR and the horror division of WOMXNOGRAPHY. As a fellow storyteller and a self-proclaimed artivist, Titeanya’s mission is to create opportunities for women of color and queer women, across film, tv, sports, music, and beyond. She is also the creator of the BITE SIZE SHORT grant program.”
Winners will have a one-night theatrical screening at Regal Cinemas. Submissions Close April 8 at Midnight. Winners will be announced on May 27, 2024. Shorts must be shot and through post-production by June 30, 2024. The screening will take place on July 8, 2024, in Los Angeles, CA.
WOMXNOGRAPHY, HER HOUSE OF HORRORS, and Rodriguez are represented by Azhar PR, Granderson Des Rochers, and Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir.
To submit your short to the Bite Size Short Grant Program, go to the FilmFreeway link here.
Original Classic ‘The Crow’ Returning to Theaters for 30th Anniversary
Two New Images from ‘Alien: Romulus’ Spotlight the Heroes and the Giger-Faithful Monster
Party City Releasing Life-Size ‘Terrifier 2’ Art the Clown & Little Pale Girl Animatronics!
“Crystal Lake” – A24 Has NOT Pulled the Plug on Their ‘Friday the 13th’ TV Series [Exclusive]
‘The Substance’ – First Look at ‘Revenge’ Director’s Body Horror Movie
You must be logged in to post a comment.