The Weinsteins have been planning a big budget remake of Clive Barker’s Hellraiser for years now, and the names associated with it have been a roster of hardcore horror directors. Well, a small roster of French directors anyway… Pascal Laugier (Martyrs) was attached briefly followed by the duo of Alexandre Bustillo/Julien Maury (Inside), but then the announcements and rumors went silent. Until now.
Per BloodyDisgusting, Dimension Films is hoping to bring Hellraiser back to the big screen in a teen friendly format and a possible PG-13 rating. To that end they’re talking with director Christian E. Christiansen who’s currently finishing up the young adult thriller, The Roommate, for Screen Gems. BD is also reporting that Dimension is after Amber Heard for the lead, and yes, that is the closest thing you’ll get to good news in this entire post.
Personally, I think Barker’s original Hellraiser holds up pretty damn well for its age and budget. And that said I’m not against a remake in general, but the film’s themes and ideas are not ones that can be watered down to a PG-13 audience. It’s a story of desire… sexual, sensual, and physical… all intertwined with a heavily sadomasochistic tone. It’s dark, disturbingly erotic at times, and practically oozes blood, sweat, and other less savory bodily fluids.
It’s not meant for kids. Or teens. And if the Weinsteins think otherwise they can go to heck.
