Movies
AFM ’08: IM Global Making TWO Sequels to ‘2001 Maniacs’
IM Global Home Entertainment has acquired worldwide sales rights to the next 2001 Maniacs pics. The movies 2001 Maniacs: Beverly Hellbillys and 2001 Maniacs: The Hillbillys Have Eyes will be written and directed by Tim Sullivan and produced by Social Capital’s Martin Shore and Christopher Tuffin through their horror arm, BloodWorks. Robert Englund will reprise his role as a murderous mayor in the first pic. In the sequel, after the sheriff refuses to cover up any further for the maniacs causing all the missing persons in the area, they’re forced to hit the road in what’s dubbed the “Pleasant Valley Traveling Road Show,” where the maniacs head across country in hopes of gathering more victims. We’ll follow a young TV crew called the “Road Rascals” as they find themselves mixed up with another one of the maniacs’ deadly festivals.
Hollywood is serious about landing the next Backrooms. Hot on the heels of a Siren Head feature announcement, Deadline reports that a new movie based on viral YouTube series The Mandela Catalogue is in development.
It also has some Hollywood heavy hitters behind it.
Amblin Entertainment’s Steven Spielberg, United Artists’ Scott Stuber (Frankenstein), and Amazon MGM Studios are set to produce, emerging victorious after a highly competitive 11-studio bidding war.
Launched in 2021, the YouTube series is set in the fictional Mandela County, Wisconsin which is “invaded by shape-shifting, nearly immortal creatures called Alternates. The Alternates are led by a false depiction of the Archangel Gabriel and their aim is to wipe out the human race by psychologically torturing them to the point of suicide. The Alternates are known for manipulating AV media, TVs, computers and GPS systems.”
The movie will be directed by the series’ creator, Alex Kister, based on a screenplay he adapted with Tyler Clifton.
The Mandela Catalogue has racked up an impressive 100 million views across its official episodes alone, solidifying it as one of the largest original analog horror franchises on YouTube.
Spielberg and Holly Bario are producing for Amblin Entertainment alongside Aaron B. Koontz for Paper Street Pictures and Stuber and Nick Nesbitt for United Artists. Kister and Clifton are also producing. Annie McCreery will oversee the project for United Artists. Maria Fortese will oversee for Amblin.
Get acquainted with The Mangela Catalogue below while we wait to learn more.