Jim Wynorski Updates Giant Gila Monster Remake, Announces Santa Claus Conquers the Martians Remake

Steve Barton |

Jan 31, 2012

Source Name:

Undead Backbrain

Source Url:

http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php/2012/01/29/update-the-gila-monster-grows/

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Gallery Image:

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If the big studios can be all about remaking classics, then why can’t b-movie makers remake classic bad movies? That seems to be Jim Wynorski’s newest niche. The Chopping Mall director has already wrapped a remake of the 1959 creature feature The Giant Gila Monster, and now he’s revealed plans to remake something even more dubious: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.

We’ve previously told you about Wynorski’s Giant Gila Monster remake – now simply titled Gila! – that he cooked up with Hellbound: Hellraiser II helmer Tony Randel. Now the fine folks at Undead Backbrain got hold of the first artwork and some production stills for this shot in color but still set in the 1950’s updating of one of the cheesiest movies of all time.

Ex-Playboy Playmate Julie McCullough (2012: Ice Age), Terence Knox (Children of the Corn 2: The Final Sacrifice), Matt Austin (“Power Rangers S.P.D.”), and Kelli Maroney of Night of the Comet and Chopping Mall fame star.

You’ll see them along with some classic hot rods in a few of the production stills below, and you can see even more over at Undead Backbrain (link at bottom of page).

In addition, Undead Backbrain also got the first word from Wynorski regarding his next project, another remake of a film more infamous than famous: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.

“It’s a show that screams out to be remade with today’s modern technology,” declared Wynorski, who, along with producer Bill Dever, feels the infamous ‘kiddie matinee’ is now permanently tattooed on the psyche of film fans around the world.

But will he be able to get Pia Zadora, who played a Martian child in the 1964 original, to return for this updating? He should. I mean, it’s not like she’s got anything better to do.

Shooting on this unlikeliest of remakes commences in Southern Indiana sometime this summer.