Director Marcel Walz Talks Blood Feast Remake
David Gelmini
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The remake of the 1963 splatter classic Blood Feast seems like it will be one of the few reboots that will be meaningful. You can contribute here to help give new blood to the classic film, and check out our interview with director Marcel Walz below.
Dread Central: What is it that you love so much about the original? And what do you think about the huge legacy that it left?
Marcel Walz: Wow, I love how far Herschell goes with this movie. You must imagine it was in 1963; no one has ever thought of this kind of movie at this time. It has laid the foundation to the splatter movies that followed all the years later; it has changed movie history forever. I have great respect for the original, and I and the whole cast/crew will do best to be worthy of the original.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoHm8Cc76g0&w=560&h=315]
DC: So with all the pointless remakes happening now, this seems like the only one that’s actually worthwhile. How do you feel about that?
MW: I think presently nearly everything is getting a remake, even if the movie is less than 10 years old. This does not make sense at all to me, and I feel with our Blood Feast we’re doing something completely different. It’s the first splatter movie in movie history, from 1963, so it’s over 50 years old. That’s more than enough time to make a remake of a movie which was already far ahead of time.
To bring Blood Feast to the 21st century, with a great cast and an amazing screenplay, is a chance to use modern equipment and technique to honor this masterpiece of horror movie history.
DC: Were you anxious at first about approaching Herschell Gordon Lewis about the remake? It must be daunting to be working with one of your heroes.
MW: The production company, Gundo Entertainment, who hired me to direct this movie, already managed all the paperwork and licensing with Herschell Gordon Lewis before they came to me and asked me if I would be interested in directing Blood Feast. So the first part was already done. It was an honor for me to talk to Herschell, and I am looking forward to meeting him personally in the future, as there will be a small cameo by him in the movie.
I think Herschell is very happy with the decision of our production company, and we will be in touch with him during every step of the production.
DC: Will your film be both similar and different to the original?
MW: As it is the first official remake of the classic Blood Feast, we will of course stay close to the original but adapt it to 21st century. The plot is similar; the story itself is extended and gives fans more of what they want.
DC: Egyptian mythology plays a large role; is this something that you’ve always been interested in?
MW: Of course, when I started preparing for the remake, I began reading books about Egyptian mythology in addition to scouring the internet. There are so many interesting things out there. My interest just started and presently goes far beyond what I thought I would need to know for the movie itself. It’s amazing what kind of technique was used over 3,000 years ago.
DC: When do you plan to film?
MW: We start shooting in just a couple of weeks… To be exact, we will shoot the first three weeks in September.
DC: And needless to say, they’ll be a lot of gore?
MW: Of course there well be a lot of bloody gore, made by our special effects team Twosome Gruesome, Ryan and Megan Nicholson, who are currently working on the new “X-Files” series.
We already worked together before, and they are great at making handmade special effects, the old-fashioned way while still looking realistic. You can expect great effects, and fans will not be disappointed.
DC: Can you tell us about the cast?
MW: Gundo Entertainment has chosen an amazing cast… Robert Rusler from A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 or Sometimes They Come back will be playing the male lead, Fuad Ramses. His charming wife, Louise Ramses, will played by Caroline Williams, who fans will know from Hatchet 3, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, etc. Interestingly enough, both Robert and Caroline also worked together before on Tales of Halloween this year, so they already have an established chemistry.
The fabulous Sadie Katz, known for Wrong Turn 6, will play the goddess Ishtar. We also have Sophie Monk (Date Movie) in our cast playing the role of Penny. You can expect some more known actors and celebrities that are not announced yet, so stay excited about what comes up during the next weeks.
DC: And it says on Indiegogo that you want fans to get involved by submitting their art?
MW: We had the idea of involving fans of both horror movies in general and of course the original movie itself in the pre-production of Blood Feast. The campaign is not to fund the movie itself, but instead it’s being used to enhance the movie… to make better special effects and more!
Fans should definitely have a look at our campaign. You can be part of the movie by spending your money for perks like Blu-rays, DVDs, a nice apron, a role in the film, and much more. Join us and support the Feast!
DC: You have an impressive list of credits. What’s the secret to making a lot of films in a small amount of time?
MW: I just started quite early at the age of 17, even before attending film school. That’s all. I love the business and I love the passion of making movies. I love what I do and I am more than thankful that I got this chance.
DC: After Blood Feast what else are you planning?
MW: Presently I am very busy on the pre-production of Blood Feast, but there are some projects planned for the future. Some studios already asked for a partnership for an upcoming production, but there’s nothing I am allowed to talk about at the present. My only focus currently is on Blood Feast.
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