Movies
Official Release, First Images From ‘2001 Manaics’ Sequel
Cult film veteran Bill Moseley (“House of 1,000 Corpses”) has just completed filming his role as Mayor Buckman (replacing Robert Englund) in director Tim Sullivan’s latest installment of the horror/comedy franchise “2001 Maniacs”. The film, titled 2001 Maniacs:Beverly Hellbillys“, was shot entirely on location in Iowa. You can read more info inside and check out the first ever stills.
According to Sullivan and producer Christopher Tuffin, it is as much a wild re-imagining of the preceding films as a sequel to them. Their intention was to raise the stakes beyond the ordinary glut of by-the-numbers horror releases to create a smart, genre-defying feature that pushes every limit to the extreme. Tuffin compares “Maniacs” to an episode of “South Park” or “The Simpsons” in the sense that “Maniacs” is nothing less than a carnival house mirror held up to American culture.
“Over the years I was approached many times to write and direct a sequel, but I waited until we not only had a storyline that served as a worthy successor to “2001 Maniacs”, but also the creative freedom to push the envelope open even further in a smart and funny way,” says Sullivan. “Then on the eve of the election of Barack Obama as the nation’s first African-American president, I saw the opportunity to once again use the residents of Pleasant Valley as vehicle to expose the deep rooted prejudices of all segments of our society in a way that would hopefully make everyone realize the absurdity of their biases, while also sneaking in a few laughs in at the same time.”
Moseley heads an ensemble cast that includes Lin Shaye (“Snakes on a Plane”), Nivek Ogre (“Repo! The Genetic Opera”), Christa Campbell ..(“Day of the Dead”), Ahmed Best (“Star Wars: The Phantom Menace”), Trevor Wright (“Shelter”) and telenovela vixen Andrea Leon (“Hood of Horror”).
“For horror fans internationally this is a great package – an established franchise, a cult director, a horror veteran like Bill Moseley surrounded by a hot young cast. We are very excited,” says Catherine Quantschnigg, head of sales for IM Global Home Entertainment.
The finished film will be unveiled at this year’s American Film Market in November.
Click the image below for all of the stills!
A crime scene leads to horror in The Cycle, the latest from director Jordan Downey ( The Head Hunter, V/H/S/Beyond), and our exclusive first look introduces lead Deborah Ann Woll (“Daredevil: Born Again“, Escape Room) as she investigates the darkly personal case.
The Cycle will debut exclusively on Shudder on October 23, 2026.
The logline reads, “When the body of a man missing for thirty-six years is discovered at the scene of a horrific crime, it’s up to his estranged daughter to unravel his dark past.“
Also starring in The Cycle is Jeffrey Donovan (“Burn Notice“, Villains).
Jordan Downey wrote the screenplay with Kevin Stewart (The Head Hunter).
“We are so excited about The Cycle; Jordan has crafted such an original story that is gonna excite audiences. For us he has the ability to be the next great genre filmmaker and we can’t wait to make the movie,” said James Harris of production company Tea Shop (Obsession, 47 Meters Down). Peter Heller also produces.
Deborah Ann Woll rose to fame as the feisty vampire Jessica Hamby in HBO’s “True Blood” before becoming a fan favorite as Karen Page in Marvel’s “Daredevil” series. While horror fans recognize her from Escape Room and its sequel, Escape Room: Tournament of Champions, the versatile actress has captured gamers’ attention as Laufey, Kratos’ wife in God of War: Ragnarök. She’ll receive her solo spinoff game in the upcoming God of War: Laufey.
As for Jordan Downey, The Cycle will mark his long-awaited feature follow-up to the underseen gem, The Head Hunter, but the rising filmmaker also has sci-fi thriller Override on the way.
Stay tuned for more.