Get ready to sleep with the lights on, horror fans! The legendary John Carpenter, the mind behind classics like Halloween and The Thing, is diving back into the anthology series game. This news is sure to send shivers down your spine!
Back in the early '90s, Showtime saw the success HBO was having with Tales from the Crypt and wanted a piece of the pie. They tapped Carpenter and his producing partner, Sandy King, to develop Body Bags. Carpenter even directed the first two episodes, and brought in the iconic Tobe Hooper to direct the third. But, in a twist of fate that still haunts genre fans, Showtime passed on the show! Not even Carpenter himself, hamming it up as a character called The Coroner, could save it. The three completed episodes were eventually released as a feature-length anthology film in 1993. A decade later, Showtime did redeem themselves with Masters of Horror, to which Carpenter and Hooper both contributed.
Now, The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Carpenter is returning to the anthology format with a new series, aptly titled John Carpenter Presents, for Elevation Pictures. This is exciting news for horror enthusiasts!
Created and showrun by Michael Amo (Pure, The Listener) and Will Pascoe (Orphan Black, Absentia), the first season of John Carpenter Presents will be set in the remote wilderness of Alaska. This setting alone promises a chilling atmosphere! The series will feature a diverse group of characters facing a terrifying mix of supernatural and existential dread, exploring the hidden fears and social anxieties of our time. It's also promised that the series will capture Carpenter's unique visual style and musical sensibilities – a key ingredient for any Carpenter project.
Christina Piovesan of Elevation Pictures stated, “We’re thrilled to launch into the television space with the master of horror, John Carpenter.” John Carpenter and Sandy King Carpenter will executive produce through their company, Storm King Productions, along with Amo and Pascoe.
But here's where it gets controversial... Can John Carpenter Presents live up to the potential of Body Bags, or the success of Masters of Horror?
What are your thoughts? Does John Carpenter Presents sound like a must-watch for you? Share your excitement or skepticism in the comments below! Let's get a discussion going!
