Pinhead is looking pretty fearsome in a brand new still from forthcoming horror sequel Hellraiser: Judgment. The original Hellraiser was directed by acclaimed horror novelist Clive Barker, who conjured up a nightmarish world of demons and gore in the film, and introduced viewers to the unforgettable visual of Pinhead himself. Barker was also a hands-on producer with the well-regarded sequel Hellbound but the series took a steady dip in quality from there.
Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth was an attempt to make Pinhead a more commercial horror figure like Freddy or Jason that didn’t quite work. Hellraiser: Bloodline - the last entry Barker had any involvement with - was an ambitious attempt at a prequel/sequel that was hampered by a low budget and troubled production. The series started going straight to video from there, starting with 2000’s Inferno – which was the debut feature of Doctor Strange helmer Scott Derrickson. Judgment will mark the tenth installment of the series.
Actor Paul T. Taylor takes over the role of Pinhead for Hellraiser: Judgment and a new image from Gore Gab (via Bloody Disgusting) reveals a new look at the fearsome demon. The plotline of Judgment follows a detective tracking down a serial killer - only to find himself on trial for his very soul by a group of nasty demons. Taylor inherits the role from Doug Bradley, who played the iconic monster in the first eight movies.
The previous Pinhead is pictured at the top for comparison.
New photo of Paul T. Taylor as Pinhead in Hellraiser: Judgment! #promotehorror @promotehorror #hellraiser #horror #pinhead @BDisgusting pic.twitter.com/SNJME8CCq8— Gore Gab (@GoreGabPodcast) October 25, 2017
While Hellraiser: Judgment promises to be a step up in quality after the last few sequels, fans may be feeling understandably burned by the series. The previous movie – 2011’s Hellraiser: Revelations – was a micro-budget effort that was hastily assembled when producers realized their option on the series was about to lapse. The resulting movie was universally panned by critics and fans alike; even Barker himself mocked it on Twitter. Judgment, like Revelations before it, is another straight to DVD sequel being made in order to preserve the copyright.
A Hellraiser remake has been mooted for years but never seems to come together. Barker himself spoke of writing and producing a new version in 2014, but talk soon went quiet. Another version with director Patrick Lussier was also developed in 2011. It’s believed the concept of Hellraiser itself is what stands in the way of a remake; its themes of sin, damnation and kinky demons ripping people apart with hooks isn’t as easy to market as another horror franchise like Friday The 13th might be.
There’s no word on if or when a Hellraiser remake might happen. Screenwriter Max Landis recently pitched his epic vision of a team up behind Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Child’s Play’s Chucky and Pinhead; a vision that’s unlikely to ever happen.
Next: Max Landis Pitches Horror Movie Icons Crossover
There’s currently no release date set for Hellraiser: Judgment, but we’ll keep you updated as more information arrives.
Source: Gore Gab
