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The Further

Disney Could Shut Down 20th Century Fox, Likely to Avoid Genre Films

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Alien Day

The WSJ has some intel on Disney‘s acquisition of 20th Century Fox and shares some not-so-surprising news that will still dishearten us genre fans.

Within the report, they explicitly point out that Disney plans to utilize the Avatar and X-Men franchises, “and scale back production of costly movies that don’t fit its family-friendly, franchise-focused formula.” They share a handful of examples, and although none are horror, it’s pretty clear that this could be the end to the Alien/Predator franchises and hopes of any other Fox-fueled horror films. Could they sell or move the assets? It’s possible, but unlikely.

What does this mean for New Mutants? The article notes that Disney plans to release any films that are “complete or in production at the time of acquisition.” The vagueness doesn’t help speculate, but it’s hard to imagine New Mutants opening wide, unless Fox was able to get it into theaters before the official takeover next year. Still, I’m expecting to see this one get dumped onto a streaming service or VOD platforms if it doesn’t end up on a shelf collecting dust for the rest of eternity.

Even more awful, WSJ suggests it’s possible (not certain) that Disney shuts down 20th Century Fox for good, which would be a cataclysmic and heartbreaking Hollywood event after 83 years in business. However, thanks to Guillermo del Toro‘s The Shape of Water, they’re hearing that Fox Searchlight and Fox 2000, as well as the animation division, could/should remain intact.

In the end, history is at stake, not to mention 2,300 employees’ jobs. This is a dark takeover for a company that’s built on the roots of the “Happiest place on Earth.” Outside of hardcore Marvel fans, this is borderline devastating for everyone else.

Horror movie fanatic who co-founded Bloody Disgusting in 2001. Producer on Southbound, V/H/S/2/3/94, SiREN, Under the Bed, and A Horrible Way to Die. Chicago-based. Horror, pizza and basketball connoisseur. Taco Bell daily. Franchise favs: Hellraiser, Child's Play, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, Scream and Friday the 13th. Horror 365 days a year.

The Further

5 of This Week’s Coolest Horror Collectibles Including ‘The Crow: Salvation’ on Blu-ray

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Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.

Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!


The Guyver 4K UHD from Unearthed Films

The Guyver will merge onto 4K UHD + Blu-ray + CD on May 21 via Unearthed Films. Based on the Japanese manga series of the same name, the 1991 sci-fi superhero film has been newly restored in 4K from the original, R-rated 35mm camera negative.

Special effects legends Steve Wang (Predator) and Screaming Mad George (Society) co-direct from a script by Jon Purdy. Mark Hamill, Vivian Wu, Jack Armstrong, Jimmie Walker, Michael Berryman, David Gale, and Jeffrey Combs star. Brian Yuzna (Re-Animator, Society) produces.

New special features include: a commentary by George and Wang; interviews with George and Yuzna; suit tests, outtakes, and a gag reel with commentary; and a gallery. A soundtrack CD composed by Matthew Morse (Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker) and a booklet are also included.


Return of the Living Dead Figures from Super 7

If you ever wonder about all the different ways of dying, you’ll be pleased to know that The Return of the Living Dead‘s Tarman and Trash are joining Super 7’s ReAction Figures line.

Priced at $20, each retro-style toy stands 3.75″ and has five points of articulation. They’ll ship in April.


Cry-Baby 4K UHD from Kino Lorber

While we may have to wait a bit longer for John Waters’ next filthy film, you’ll soon be able to shed a tear to his 1990 musical comedy Cry-Baby on 4K UHD. The disc drops on May 28 courtesy of Kino Lorber.

The 85-minute theatrical cut has been newly restored in 4K from the original camera negative with Dolby Vision/HDR, while the 91-minute director’s cut has been newly restored in 4K from a combination of the original camera negative, the director’s cut interpositive, and an up-res of the SD master.

Johnny Depp leads an ensemble cast that includes Amy Locane, Susan Tyrrell, Iggy Pop, Ricki Lake, Traci Lords, Polly Bergen, Troy Donahue, Mink Stole, Joe Dallesandro, Joey Heatherton, David Nelson, Patricia Hearst, and Willem Dafoe.

Special features include: a new commentary by Waters; new interviews with Waters, Locane, Lords, Pop, Lake, Hearst, Stole, actors Darren E. Burrows and Stephen Mailer, casting director Pat Moran, cinematographer David Insley, and hair stylist Howard Preston; It Came from Baltimore featurette; and deleted scenes.


Godzilla Minus One Poster from Toho

In honor of Godzilla Minus One‘s Academy Award win, Toho has teamed up with Bottleneck Gallery to release a lenticular version of the film’s artwork.

The 24×36 poster is printed on 4mm polystyrene and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Priced at $200, the timed edition is up for pre-order through March 24 and is expected to ship in June.


The Crow: Salvation Blu-ray from Scream Factory

Amidst all the talk about The Crow remake, The Crow: Salvation has flown onto Blu-ray via Scream Factory. Limited to 1,620, the 2000 third installment in the franchise is available for $29.98 exclusively in the Shout Factory webstore.

Bharat Nalluri (Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day) directs from a script by Chip Johannessen (Dexter, Homeland), based on the comic book character created by James O’Barr. Kirsten Dunst, Eric Mabius, Jodi Lyn O’Keefe, William Atherton, and Fred Ward star.

Archival special features include: a commentary by Nalluri, Mabius, producer Jeff Most, composer Marco Beltrami, and production designer Maia Javan; Behind the Scenes, Behind the Makeup, Production Design, and Who’s That Bird? featurettes; an image gallery; and the trailer.


For more merch madness, peruse the Killer Collectibles archives. You can also visit Broke Horror Fan.

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