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Netlfix and Hulu Launching VR Apps
This may appear to be a big “techie” for Bloody Disgusting, but I assure you that Virtual Reality is a big deal, especially when it’s eventually going to have a huge impact on the horror genre.
Things got interesting this morning with the announcement that Netflix and Hulu are now in the VR game, with the former having already launched an app on Oculus’ virtual reality store this morning. Hulu’s is set to debut this fall.
Explains Digital Trends:
Netflix and Oculus collaborated to develop an app for Samsung’s Gear VR; when the new $99 VR headset comes out this fall, users will be able to use the goggles to step into Netflix’s virtual world. Through the device, Netflix’s sea of content can be explored from the comfort of the Netflix Living Room, transforming any location into a virtual home theater. However, Netflix has not announced any content specifically created for the VR experience.
The Hulu VR app takes things a bit further, giving users multiple immersive 3D environments to choose from. From there, they’ll be able to stream Hulu’s entire library of content in 2D, and later, watch specially-crafted original VR content. The streamer today announced plans to create such content, starting with a short film called The Big One. The short will be produced by Lionsgate and Rocketjump and created by the brains behind Hulu Original RocketJump: The Show. Through it, viewers will see a meteor shower turn into an “apocalyptic nightmare.”
And with the PS4 taking pre-orders an incredibly affordable VR headset (October), it’s becoming mainstream quicker than any of us anticipated.
There’s seriously so much going on right now in the VR world that you should expect regular updates here on BD’s The Further.
All of us here at Bloody Disgusting are deeply sad to learn that The Blob director Chuck Russell has passed away at 74 years old.
Russell’s career began with his directorial debut, 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.
The multihyphenate film director, screenwriter, and producer is best known for helming 1994 comedy The Mask starring Jim Carrey, Arnold Schwarzenegger actioner Eraser, and adventure spinoff The Scorpion King. The latter served as the first leading role for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The filmmaker left an indelible mark on horror with his ANOES sequel, 1988’s The Blob, and 2000’s Bless the Child.
Russell’s final film credit is 2024’s Witchboard remake starring Madison Iseman (I Know What You Did Last Summer), Aaron Dominguez (Only Murders in the Building), and Jamie Campbell Bower (“Stranger Things”).
It marked Russell’s return to horror after a lengthy hiatus, and he shared sequel hopes to Bloody Disgusting in an interview ahead of the remake’s release: “I got to design the board with real mystical symbols and things that I know represent good and evil, and where that board takes us if the audiences respond to the film, and I hope they will; I know it’s out there for you guys, but the sequel is a world we’ll get to go a little further. That’s sure the intention.”
He also recently expressed interest in returning to the franchise that began his career.
TMZ notes that Russell passed away at his San Diego-area home.
We send our deepest condolences to Chuck Russell’s family, friends, and fans.
Director, Co-Writer & Producer Chuck Russell behind the scenes of the horror film, WITCHBOARD. Photo courtesy of The Avenue and Atlas Distribution
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