News
Universal Developing a New Alfred Hitchcock Anthology Series
Universal Cable Productions is developing an anthology series based on Alfred Hitchcock, Variety reports.
The NBCUniversal-owned production company has inked a deal with the Alfred Hitchcock Estate to re-imagine classic tales from the iconic horror filmmaker for the TV project that is titled “Welcome to Hitchcock.”
“Welcome to Hitchcock” will follow Hitchcock’s unique brand of storytelling that resulted in films such as The Birds, Psycho and the series “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” In the spirit of the classic Hitchcock style and legacy, the anthology will focus on a single season-long mystery or crime. Plans are in place for all potential future seasons to be produced in step with Hitchcock Estate.
“Long after his death, Alfred Hitchcock continues to be one of the most celebrated directors and visionaries in the world, a master manipulator of the macabre,” said Dawn Olmstead, executive vice president of development at Universal Cable Productions. “We’re honored that the Hitchcock Estate has put its trust in our studio to pay homage to his work.”
“Our grandfather always collaborated with the best and the brightest to help shape his vision. We’re confident that Universal Cable Productions will take great care in helping us to continue preserving his legacy,” said Katie O’Connell-Fiala on behalf of the Hitchcock Trust and MTK Corporation, which was founded by O’Connell-Fiala and her sisters, Mary O’Connell-Stone and Tere O’Connell-Carrubba.
Vermilion Entertainment and 1492 Pictures/Ocean Blue Entertainment will produce “Welcome to Hitchcock” with UCP. The anthology marks Vermilion’s first scripted television project. Exec producers are Chris Columbus, Michael Barnathan, Timmy Thompson and Todd Thompson, who will all work alongside the Hitchcock family. Columbus will also direct the pilot. Casey Tebo will serve as co-producer.
In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war, but it was a cheerful illustrator from England who helped to define the terrifying war-torn imagery that inspired what we now know as Grimdark (a hybrid genre combining horror with sci-fi/fantasy).
Unfortunately for fans of Warhammer 40,000, Trench Crusade and countless other sources of Grimdark thrills, veteran artist John Blanche passed away this week after struggling with health issues for the past few years.
While the artist retired back in 2023, he leaves us with an enormous legacy of iconic artwork that continues to inspire gamers and storytellers around the world to this very day.
The news is especially gloomy as it was only last year that Daniel Lowman and Napoleon Dynamite himself Jon Heder released The Grim & the Dark: The Search for John Blanche, a documentary following Heder’s exploration of the Grimdark genre culminating in a heartwarming encounter with Blanche in his own home.
Below is one of my favorite pieces by Blanche, his highly influential depiction of Warhammer 40k’s God-Emperor of Mankind on his Golden Throne.
We send our deepest condolences to John Blanche’s family, friends, and fans.
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