We have an update that'll tear your soul apart!
Not too surprisingly, the upcoming Hellraiser reboot from Spyglass Media and Hulu has been given an official R-rating for all manner of ghastly, Cenobite-related stuff.
Per Bloody Disgusting, the movie will include: “Strong bloody horror violence and gore, language throughout, some sexual content, and brief graphic nudity.”
We'd expect nothing less from a Hellraiser film, but you really never know these days. We've seen several horror properties reimagined with a PG-13 rating over the years in an attempt to launch a more teen-friendly franchise.
This new take on Clive Barker's The Hellbound Heart will star Jamie Clayton (Sense8, The L Word: Generation Q) as Pinhead. The sadistic Cenobite leader was portrayed by Doug Bradley in the original movies.
Odessa A'Zion (CBS series Fam and Netflix's Grand Army) has also been confirmed for the lead role of Riley, and the supporting cast will consist of Brandon Flynn (13 Reasons Why, Ratched,) Goran Visnjic (The Boys, ER,) Drew Starkey (Outer Banks, Love, Simon,) Adam Faison (Everything’s Gonna Be Okay, Into the Dark), Aoife Hinds (Normal People, Anne Boleyn,) and Hiam Abbass (Blade Runner 2049, Succession).
Barker will produce alongside Marc Toberoff, David S. Goyer and Keith Levine. David Bruckner (The Night House, The Ritual) is directing from a screenplay by Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski (The Night House, Super Dark Times).
"Next year marks the 35th anniversary since 'Hellraiser' first haunted our dreams. It's only fitting to come full circle in collaborating with Clive, the original creator and master of visionary horror. We look forward to working with our partners at Hulu in bringing this unique take on the original to new audiences," Bruckner said in a statement last year. "It's been such an honor to have Clive onboard to help support and shepherd us through the incredible universe he created so long ago. Combined with a fearless and committed cast, including the amazing Jamie Clayton, who fully embodies the role as the Hell Priest, we're aiming to create a very special new chapter in the ‘Hellraiser’ legacy."
Barker's 1987 adaptation of his own novella introduced one of cinema's most recognizable and enduring movie monsters in Pinhead, the leader of a group of demonic beings known as Cenobites. The movie went on to achieve cult status, spawning multiple inferior sequels, a short-lived TV series, comic books, and more.
Specific details on this new version are still under wraps, but Spyglass has described it as “loyal, yet evolved.” A separate HBO series is also in the works from Halloween (2018) director David Gordon Green.