While the Hellraiser franchise has had its ups and downs, a new tidbit may lead to a potential franchise revival in 2021. Thanks to changes Congress made to copyright law in 1976, franchises they were sold off to big studios and names, original creators have a right to their property. Friday the 13th is at the forefront of the conversation with screenwriter Victor Miller engaging in a lengthy legal battle with director Sean Cunningham’s Horror, Inc., which have lead to a stoppage at any potential new installment in the franchise.
Another franchise may have a battle on its hands as Clive Barker, who created the Hellraiser franchise, as well as the several cenobites, including Pinhead, has sent a notice of termination to producers and plans to grab back rights to his book, “The Hellbound Heart”. Friday the 13th Part 3 star and entertainment lawyer Larry Zerner, who has been updating fans on the Friday trial, dropped the news on his twitter.
Zerner adds this interesting note:
“Barker’s termination (if effective) would not take place until December 19, 2021,”
“If the producers can get a new movie out before then, they would be legally in the clear. Just nothing new after that date.”
This news comes at an interesting time as it was announced in April HBO has ordered a Hellraiser series with David Gordon Green directing the pilot, and Michael Dougherty writing the screenplay was on the way.
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David Gonzalez is the founder and chief film critic of Reel Talk Inc. and host of the Reel Chronicles and Chop Talk (80s horror) podcasts. As a Cuban American independent film critic, David writes fair and diverse criticism covering movies of all genres and spotlighting minority voices through Reel Talk. David has covered and reviewed films at Tribeca, TIFF, NYFF, Sundance, SXSW, and several other film festivals.
He is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-Approved Critic and a member of the Latino Entertainment Journalists Association (LEJA), New York Film Critics Online, Hollywood Film Critics Association, and the North American Film Critic Association.
As an avid film collector and awards watcher, David's finger is always on the industry's pulse. David informs and educates with knowledgeable and exciting content and has become a trusted resource for readers and listeners alike. Email him at david@reeltalkinc.com or follow him on Twitter and Instagram @reeltalkinc.
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