A new episode of The Arrow in the Head Show has just been released, and in this one hosts John “The Arrow” Fallon and Lance Vlcek are revisiting the 1989 body horror sequel The Fly II (watch it Here). To find out what they had to say about this story of a boy becoming a fly – the latest in a long line of people becoming flies in this franchise – check out the video embedded above!
The Fly franchise began with a short story written by George Langelaan. That story served as a basis for a film that was released in 1958 and spawned two sequels: Return of the Fly (1959) and Curse of the Fly (1965). David Cronenberg’s 1986 remake of The Fly is one of the most popular remakes ever made, and it was soon followed by The Fly II. Directed by Chris Walas from a screenplay by Mick Garris, Frank Darabont, Jim Wheat,...
The Fly franchise began with a short story written by George Langelaan. That story served as a basis for a film that was released in 1958 and spawned two sequels: Return of the Fly (1959) and Curse of the Fly (1965). David Cronenberg’s 1986 remake of The Fly is one of the most popular remakes ever made, and it was soon followed by The Fly II. Directed by Chris Walas from a screenplay by Mick Garris, Frank Darabont, Jim Wheat,...
- 5/6/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Back in 1986, David Cronenberg directed a remake of Kurt Neumann’s 1958 sci-fi horror classic The Fly (which was based on George Langelaan’s short story) – and the result is considered to be one of the best remakes of all time. 20th Century Fox (now the Disney subsidiary 20th Century Studios) has been wanting to replicate that success with another remake for a couple decades now… but the project has never managed to escape from development hell. Cronenberg wanted to come back and make another Fly movie, but it fell apart over budgetary issues. Screenwriter Todd Lincoln wrote a remake of The Fly that he described as a “dark, twisted, grounded re- imagining… Part Val-Lewton, part J.G. Ballard, part Neal Stephenson with, some Horror Manga touches.” The studio wasn’t into it. J.D. Dillard was attached to direct a new version of The Fly for years, but recently stepped away from it.
- 3/24/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
David Cronenberg has been exploring the flesh-mind dichotomy ever since his 1969 sci-fi debut, "Shivers," where mutations in the flesh lead to new stages of consciousness. Body horror is a gateway to thematic realms that reveal deep-seated psychological urges, and Cronenberg uses this element to deeply electrifying and repulsive ends. But what makes his 1986 sci-fi horror film, "The Fly," so poignant is that it blends body horror with a tragic central love story that is so moving that it intensifies the terrifying aspects of the narrative. A freak accident leads to the forbidden fusion of DNA, and the aftereffects are life-altering: The ecstasies of newfound life and love slowly devolve into the grotesqueness of change, loss, and the inevitability of death.
Love is infused with suffering in "The Fly," in the same way Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) finds himself infused with the baser instincts of a housefly and morphs into something unrecognizable.
Love is infused with suffering in "The Fly," in the same way Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) finds himself infused with the baser instincts of a housefly and morphs into something unrecognizable.
- 2/19/2023
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
Don Kaye Jan 2, 2020
The Fly remains one of sci-fi’s strangest and most iconic franchises.
The Fly -- the 1958 version or the 1986 remake, take your pick -- stands as one of the most memorable sci-fi/horror hybrids of its time. So it’s not surprising that Scream Factory recently released one of its now-standard deluxe boxed Blu-ray sets, containing all five films in the series and a truckload of special features, some ported over from the films’ separate DVD releases and others brand new.
What’s that, you say? All five films? Correct. For most people, the title The Fly brings up two iconic images: either David (Al) Hedison with a giant fly’s head on his shoulders or Jeff Goldblum in heavy prosthetics as he mutates into the monstrous amalgam known in the 1986 film as Brundlefly. Casual viewers may not be aware that the original film spawned two sequels,...
The Fly remains one of sci-fi’s strangest and most iconic franchises.
The Fly -- the 1958 version or the 1986 remake, take your pick -- stands as one of the most memorable sci-fi/horror hybrids of its time. So it’s not surprising that Scream Factory recently released one of its now-standard deluxe boxed Blu-ray sets, containing all five films in the series and a truckload of special features, some ported over from the films’ separate DVD releases and others brand new.
What’s that, you say? All five films? Correct. For most people, the title The Fly brings up two iconic images: either David (Al) Hedison with a giant fly’s head on his shoulders or Jeff Goldblum in heavy prosthetics as he mutates into the monstrous amalgam known in the 1986 film as Brundlefly. Casual viewers may not be aware that the original film spawned two sequels,...
- 12/28/2019
- Den of Geek
Adding to their tradition of releasing box sets of beloved horror franchises, Scream Factory's five-disc The Fly Collection comes out on December 10th, and ahead of its holiday season release, we've been provided with the massive list of full special features.
Press Release: Los Angeles, CA -- Get ready for hours of skin-crawling terror as you witness a transformation like no other – from man to fly. On December 10, 2019, Scream Factory proudly presents the insect-morphing horror set The Fly Collection in a definitive Blu-ray™ release. This massive 5-disc set consists of the chilling original trilogy, the eye-popping 80s remake and its terrifying sequel, and is packed with hours of fascinating special features.
The complete list of bonus features includes a bevy of new interviews and audio commentaries with cast and crew, including with producers Mel Brooks and Stuart Cornfeld, screenwriter Mick Garris and composer Howard Shore. The Curse of the Fly...
Press Release: Los Angeles, CA -- Get ready for hours of skin-crawling terror as you witness a transformation like no other – from man to fly. On December 10, 2019, Scream Factory proudly presents the insect-morphing horror set The Fly Collection in a definitive Blu-ray™ release. This massive 5-disc set consists of the chilling original trilogy, the eye-popping 80s remake and its terrifying sequel, and is packed with hours of fascinating special features.
The complete list of bonus features includes a bevy of new interviews and audio commentaries with cast and crew, including with producers Mel Brooks and Stuart Cornfeld, screenwriter Mick Garris and composer Howard Shore. The Curse of the Fly...
- 11/7/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
[This Halloween season, we're paying tribute to classic horror cinema by celebrating films released before 1970! Check back on Daily Dead this month for more retrospectives on classic horror films, and visit our online hub to catch up on all of our Halloween 2019 special features!]
As a child of the ’80s, my primary version of The Fly is the David Cronenberg body horror extravaganza. It’s a favorite of mine not only because of its timeless practical effects, but also because it’s one of the great tragedies of its day. So when I first visited Kurt Neumann’s version from 1958, I assumed I’d need to brace myself for a campier, creature feature sort of vibe. But I was surprised to discover a film that truly is a spiritual predecessor to its remake. Both films explore a man’s mental and physical deterioration and the tragic consequences for those around him, but Neumann takes a very different path to get there.
The broad strokes are the same: a scientist invents a teleportation machine, gets ahead of himself in the experimentation process, and accidentally merges with a fly when the unlucky insect joins him in...
As a child of the ’80s, my primary version of The Fly is the David Cronenberg body horror extravaganza. It’s a favorite of mine not only because of its timeless practical effects, but also because it’s one of the great tragedies of its day. So when I first visited Kurt Neumann’s version from 1958, I assumed I’d need to brace myself for a campier, creature feature sort of vibe. But I was surprised to discover a film that truly is a spiritual predecessor to its remake. Both films explore a man’s mental and physical deterioration and the tragic consequences for those around him, but Neumann takes a very different path to get there.
The broad strokes are the same: a scientist invents a teleportation machine, gets ahead of himself in the experimentation process, and accidentally merges with a fly when the unlucky insect joins him in...
- 10/21/2019
- by Bryan Christopher
- DailyDead
It hasn’t taken long for J.D. Dillard to make an impression on the Powers That Be. One month before the big opening of Sleight, his feature film debut of magic and coming-of-age drama, the writer-director came attached to 20th Century Fox’s remake of The Fly.
A modern reimagining of David Cronenberg’s body-horror classic of ’86, Dillard initially opened talks with Fox to shepherd the remake alongside writing partner Alex Theurer. It’s still early, early days, but the director is already well invested in the property, as the folks at /Film discovered in a recent interview.
When quizzed about his approach to the source material – it’s worth noting that The Fly can be traced all the way back to George Langelaan’s original short story – J.D. Dillard noted that he’s currently envisioning a reinvention that locates the emotional heart of the story: in this case, a...
A modern reimagining of David Cronenberg’s body-horror classic of ’86, Dillard initially opened talks with Fox to shepherd the remake alongside writing partner Alex Theurer. It’s still early, early days, but the director is already well invested in the property, as the folks at /Film discovered in a recent interview.
When quizzed about his approach to the source material – it’s worth noting that The Fly can be traced all the way back to George Langelaan’s original short story – J.D. Dillard noted that he’s currently envisioning a reinvention that locates the emotional heart of the story: in this case, a...
- 4/5/2017
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
It’s been a while since a body horror movie ruined our appetites, so it seems as good a time as any for Fox to remake The Fly. According to Deadline, the studio is abuzz with development plans for remaking David Cronenberg’s 1986 film, which was itself a reworking of Kurt Neumann’s 1958 cinematic adaptation of George Langelaan’s short story. Cronenberg isn’t revisiting his remake, so Fox is currently in talks with J.D. Dillard. If signed, the Sleight director will also co-write the film with his collaborator Alex Theurer.
Though Deadline notes that a remake has been bandied about for some time, no stars are yet attached to the project. We could begin dream casting, though, if we could just figure out who reminds us of a young Jeff Goldblum. (Forget it, he’s, uh, one of a kind.) The Fly is the latest ’80s ...
Though Deadline notes that a remake has been bandied about for some time, no stars are yet attached to the project. We could begin dream casting, though, if we could just figure out who reminds us of a young Jeff Goldblum. (Forget it, he’s, uh, one of a kind.) The Fly is the latest ’80s ...
- 3/15/2017
- by Danette Chavez
- avclub.com
A new remake of The Fly has been has been on the verge of happening for years. It looks like Fox is finally ready to move forward with it, and they are looking to hire director J.D. Dillard to take on the job. Dillard made his directorial debut with the fantastic film Sleight. He would not only direct The Fly, but he would also write it with his writing partner Alex Theurer.
The first version of The Fly was released in 1958 and came from director Kurt Neumann. That film was based on a short story of the same name by George Langelaan. In 1986 David Cronenberg released his version of the story, which is the one most of you are probably familiar with. The film starred Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis and was such an awesomely grotesque and disturbing movie! That was followed by two lackluster sequels called Return of the Fly...
The first version of The Fly was released in 1958 and came from director Kurt Neumann. That film was based on a short story of the same name by George Langelaan. In 1986 David Cronenberg released his version of the story, which is the one most of you are probably familiar with. The film starred Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis and was such an awesomely grotesque and disturbing movie! That was followed by two lackluster sequels called Return of the Fly...
- 3/15/2017
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
There have been multiple attempts to bring a new version of The Fly to the big screen over the years, but new reports suggest that J.D. Dillard is close to finalizing a deal with Fox. According to Variety, the Sleight director is in negotiations to direct a remake of The Fly and would be co-writing it with Alex Theurer.
The two co-wrote Sleight, which will be released later this month, and they've also teamed up on Sweetheart for Blumhouse Productions. While David Cronenberg's 1986 masterpiece is no stranger to modern horror fans, the original movie is impressive in its own right and worth your time if you haven't seen it. The 1958 film (based on the George Langelaan short story) also spawned two sequels: Return of the Fly and Curse of the Fly. Of course, we'll keep Daily Dead readers posted on any developments and I'll be very curious to see...
The two co-wrote Sleight, which will be released later this month, and they've also teamed up on Sweetheart for Blumhouse Productions. While David Cronenberg's 1986 masterpiece is no stranger to modern horror fans, the original movie is impressive in its own right and worth your time if you haven't seen it. The 1958 film (based on the George Langelaan short story) also spawned two sequels: Return of the Fly and Curse of the Fly. Of course, we'll keep Daily Dead readers posted on any developments and I'll be very curious to see...
- 3/15/2017
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
David Cronenberg's The Fly is highly regarded as one of the best horror films of the 1980's, it also holds the distinction of being one of the few remakes out there to equal, or even surpass, the original. Cronenberg's film was a remake of the 1958 film of the same name starring Vincent Price, which itself was adapted from a short story by George Langelaan. There have long been rumours of a... Read More...
- 3/15/2017
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
More than 30 years after David Cronenberg’s body-horror benchmark hit theaters and nearly half a century since Kurt Neumann’s version did, “The Fly” is ready to be loosed upon the world once again. Deadline reports that J.D. Dillard, whose directorial debut “Sleight” premiered at Sundance last year, is in talks to co-wrote and direct a new take on the sci-fi story for Fox.
Read More: Sundance Review: ‘Sleight’ Is An Intriguing Blend Of Street Sensibilities, Mysterious Magical Science & Coming Of Age Tropes
Alex Theurer, who co-wrote “Sleight,” will once again serve as Dillard’s writing partner. Their previous collaboration, which stars Jacob Latimore as a street magician who begins selling drugs to make ends meet for himself and the sister he’s raising on his lonesome, arrives in theaters on April 7 courtesy of WWE Studios and Blumhouse. Dillard and Theurer are also at work on “Sweetheart,” a thriller starring...
Read More: Sundance Review: ‘Sleight’ Is An Intriguing Blend Of Street Sensibilities, Mysterious Magical Science & Coming Of Age Tropes
Alex Theurer, who co-wrote “Sleight,” will once again serve as Dillard’s writing partner. Their previous collaboration, which stars Jacob Latimore as a street magician who begins selling drugs to make ends meet for himself and the sister he’s raising on his lonesome, arrives in theaters on April 7 courtesy of WWE Studios and Blumhouse. Dillard and Theurer are also at work on “Sweetheart,” a thriller starring...
- 3/14/2017
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
The Fly, the 1986 body-horror classic that is arguably David Cronenberg’s crowning achievement in the subgenre, is in line for the remake treatment with Sleight writer-director J.D. Dillard.
Per Deadline, Dillard has now officially opened talks with 20th Century Fox to shepherd the modern reimagining alongside long-time writing partner Alex Theurer. Fox is reportedly hoping that said reimagining will spawn something of a franchise revival, and it’s worth keeping in mind that George Langelaan’s original short story – the same one that inspired Kurt Neumann’s 1958 adaptation, and later Cronenberg’s horror masterclass – seeded the creation of two sequels: Return of the Fly and Curse of the Fly.
The story goes that a scientist hellbent on breaking new ground in teleportation accidentally transforms himself into a grotesque, vomit-spewing human-fly hybrid. Jeff Goldblum delivered a memorable performance as the bizarre Seth Brundle back in ’86, when Cronenberg’s stomach-churning feature went...
Per Deadline, Dillard has now officially opened talks with 20th Century Fox to shepherd the modern reimagining alongside long-time writing partner Alex Theurer. Fox is reportedly hoping that said reimagining will spawn something of a franchise revival, and it’s worth keeping in mind that George Langelaan’s original short story – the same one that inspired Kurt Neumann’s 1958 adaptation, and later Cronenberg’s horror masterclass – seeded the creation of two sequels: Return of the Fly and Curse of the Fly.
The story goes that a scientist hellbent on breaking new ground in teleportation accidentally transforms himself into a grotesque, vomit-spewing human-fly hybrid. Jeff Goldblum delivered a memorable performance as the bizarre Seth Brundle back in ’86, when Cronenberg’s stomach-churning feature went...
- 3/14/2017
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
Thirty years ago today, David Cronenberg unleashed a horrific tale of science gone wrong, a body-horror masterpiece that freaked out audiences, earned an Academy Award for makeup, and is often held up as a “remake done right.” The Fly was loosely based on the 1957 story by George Langelaan and the 1958 film of the same name. Starring Jeff Goldblum as the doomed scientist and Geena Davis as the reporter he loves, it’s a masterclass in escalating grossness and making a sympathetic monster even beneath layers of prosthetics and makeup.
The Fly has many scenes of grotesque imagery, including a failed attempt at transporting a baboon, a disgusting arm wrestling gone wrong sequence, and a lot of stuff involving Goldblum vomiting on things and people. One scene that was removed, but later made available on YouTube, features Goldblum’s Brundlefly creature attempting to fuse the remaining baboon with an ...
The Fly has many scenes of grotesque imagery, including a failed attempt at transporting a baboon, a disgusting arm wrestling gone wrong sequence, and a lot of stuff involving Goldblum vomiting on things and people. One scene that was removed, but later made available on YouTube, features Goldblum’s Brundlefly creature attempting to fuse the remaining baboon with an ...
- 8/15/2016
- by Rob Dean
- avclub.com
Don Kaye Aug 15, 2019
How Stephen King may have helped David Cronenberg make a masterpiece with The Fly.
The Fly arguably remains David Cronenberg’s masterpiece, over 30 years after its release. Loosely based on a 1957 short story by French writer George Langelaan, the movie transcends the story’s pulpy origins and the well-known images of a man with a fly’s head (and vice versa) from the 1958 film version starring Vincent Price to become a somber meditation on disease and aging and a tragic love story, not to mention one of the most effective horror/sci-fi films of its time. It also marked a summation and endpoint to the first phase of Cronenberg’s career, while investing his work with a new emotional maturity and thematic resonance.
Producer Kip Ohman first had the idea of remaking The Fly in the early 1980s, recruiting screenwriter Charles Edward Pogue to write the script.
How Stephen King may have helped David Cronenberg make a masterpiece with The Fly.
The Fly arguably remains David Cronenberg’s masterpiece, over 30 years after its release. Loosely based on a 1957 short story by French writer George Langelaan, the movie transcends the story’s pulpy origins and the well-known images of a man with a fly’s head (and vice versa) from the 1958 film version starring Vincent Price to become a somber meditation on disease and aging and a tragic love story, not to mention one of the most effective horror/sci-fi films of its time. It also marked a summation and endpoint to the first phase of Cronenberg’s career, while investing his work with a new emotional maturity and thematic resonance.
Producer Kip Ohman first had the idea of remaking The Fly in the early 1980s, recruiting screenwriter Charles Edward Pogue to write the script.
- 8/15/2016
- Den of Geek
1. Dead Ringers
Two Jeremy Irons doing anything would be scary: his turn in 1988’s Dead Ringers as good gynaecologist, bad gynaecologist is truly terrifying. Irons plays identical twin doctors Beverly and Eliot Mantle with dizzying ease and effect: you give up looking for the special effects, because you forget there are any. Genevieve Bujold’s Claire gets far more than she bargained for: sinister is heaped upon tragic when she goes to their clinic because of her infertility and is drawn darkly downhill into the brothers’ world of women-sharing, paranoid delusions, assault against patients and an abundance of prescription drugs. Beverly and Eliot’s souls are so close that they have grown interdependent and tangled, like the branches of trees planted too close together. Body horror is given a stark slant when Beverly attacks a patient with a specially-made medical tool, and the spectre of partly hidden female genitalia hangs...
Two Jeremy Irons doing anything would be scary: his turn in 1988’s Dead Ringers as good gynaecologist, bad gynaecologist is truly terrifying. Irons plays identical twin doctors Beverly and Eliot Mantle with dizzying ease and effect: you give up looking for the special effects, because you forget there are any. Genevieve Bujold’s Claire gets far more than she bargained for: sinister is heaped upon tragic when she goes to their clinic because of her infertility and is drawn darkly downhill into the brothers’ world of women-sharing, paranoid delusions, assault against patients and an abundance of prescription drugs. Beverly and Eliot’s souls are so close that they have grown interdependent and tangled, like the branches of trees planted too close together. Body horror is given a stark slant when Beverly attacks a patient with a specially-made medical tool, and the spectre of partly hidden female genitalia hangs...
- 1/13/2015
- by Juliette Jones
- SoundOnSight
The first Vincent Price collection from Scream Factory was a pure treasure. When October rolls around, almost nothing puts me in the Halloween mood like a constant stream of Vincent Price films on my TV. Never did I think that Scream could improve upon their original price collection, but when the films that would be included in this new set were announced, I was shocked. The first Vincent Price Collection has some really solid Price films, mostly of a Poe nature, and it was one of the most exciting releases of the year for fans of classic horror. The second set, drops the Poe theme(mostly), and includes some of Price’s most famous, well-regarded films, including a couple of my favorites. The list of films is impressive, and there are extras on most of the films. The packaging is consistent, and equally pleasing to the eyes. Scream Factory’s...
- 10/21/2014
- by Shawn Savage
- The Liberal Dead
The first Vincent Price collection that was released by Scream Factory is a thing of beauty. It was announced recently that they would bringing us a second collection of Vincent Price films on Blu-ray, and I couldn’t be any more excited about it than I already am. Well, maybe I can be, because Scream Factory just released the full details of the set, and it’s going to be a good one. Check out the press release below, and please click here to pre-order your own copy of this collection, which streets on October 21. Man, October is really upon us, isn’t it?
The Vincent Price Collection II
Featuring The First-ever Blu-ray™ Presentation Of
The House On Haunted Hill (1959), The Return Of The Fly (1959),
The Comedy Of Terrors (1963), The Raven (1963),
The Last Man On Earth (1964), The Tomb Of Ligeia (1964),
And Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972)
In Stores Everywhere On October...
The Vincent Price Collection II
Featuring The First-ever Blu-ray™ Presentation Of
The House On Haunted Hill (1959), The Return Of The Fly (1959),
The Comedy Of Terrors (1963), The Raven (1963),
The Last Man On Earth (1964), The Tomb Of Ligeia (1964),
And Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972)
In Stores Everywhere On October...
- 8/15/2014
- by Shawn Savage
- The Liberal Dead
Opera has always been a reflection of the cultural zeitgeist of Western society. Historical events, popular stories, real people—they’ve all inspired musicalizations which allow patrons to connect directly with cultural moments in artistic ways.
But while opera may have stopped being the most popular art form, it never stopped being a relevant one. Hats off to the contemporary composers who continue to devote themselves to breathing life into the art form (because if they don’t, who will?). Opera is an endangered species, much like pandas or stenographers, and it continues to thrive creatively by reflecting the pop culture moments—movies,...
But while opera may have stopped being the most popular art form, it never stopped being a relevant one. Hats off to the contemporary composers who continue to devote themselves to breathing life into the art form (because if they don’t, who will?). Opera is an endangered species, much like pandas or stenographers, and it continues to thrive creatively by reflecting the pop culture moments—movies,...
- 1/27/2014
- by Marc Snetiker
- EW.com - PopWatch
While growing up, I among the last generation that got to watch classic black and white and early color horror films day and night. Before talk and game shows became cheap fare, New York stations would run movies before dinner and throughout the evening. Some were cheesy, even to my pre-adolescent eyes, but others were just downright scary. Among the latter was the effectively creepy The Fly. 20th Century Home Entertainment has just released this beloved classic on Blu-ray and it has been nicely transferred to enthrall a new generation.
Of course, many of the readers here probably only know the fun and weird remake by David Cronenberg, which does nicely stand on its own, but the original is well worth a loo, too.
Released in 1958, it was one of Fox’s truly great horror/sci-fi offerings after decades of inferior efforts. The film is based on the forgotten George Langelaan...
Of course, many of the readers here probably only know the fun and weird remake by David Cronenberg, which does nicely stand on its own, but the original is well worth a loo, too.
Released in 1958, it was one of Fox’s truly great horror/sci-fi offerings after decades of inferior efforts. The film is based on the forgotten George Langelaan...
- 9/19/2013
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
Around this time of year, we begin to see the studios dip into their vaults and dust off their classics for a re-release just in time for the Halloween holiday.
On September 10th, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is bringing the 1958 film The Fly to Blu-ray.
Special features are going to include a commentary with actor David Hedison and film historian David Del Valle; Biography: Vincent Price; Fly Trap: Catching a Classic featurette; and a Fox Movietone News piece.
The Fly was directed by Kurt Neumann and was based on a short story that appeared in Playboy by George Langelaan.
Read more...
On September 10th, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is bringing the 1958 film The Fly to Blu-ray.
Special features are going to include a commentary with actor David Hedison and film historian David Del Valle; Biography: Vincent Price; Fly Trap: Catching a Classic featurette; and a Fox Movietone News piece.
The Fly was directed by Kurt Neumann and was based on a short story that appeared in Playboy by George Langelaan.
Read more...
- 8/14/2013
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Feature Ryan Lambie
Our odyssey through the works of David Cronenberg continues, with his 1986 horror masterpiece, The Fly...
The years between 1983 and 1985 saw David Cronenberg in something of a paradox. The success of his earlier movies, including his adaptation of The Dead Zone, had earned him a deserved reputation as a filmmaker on the rise. Yet while all kinds of offers were coming in from Hollywood - most wildly unsuitable, such as Beverly Hills Cop, some potentially extraordinary, such as Return Of The Jedi and Top Gun - the director found himself embroiled in the development hell of Total Recall.
Having written several drafts of the Total Recall script, and even paying visits to Rome and Tunisia to scout locations, the production suddenly fell apart. With neither Cronenberg nor producer Dino De Laurentiis willing to budge over which version of the script to film - De Laurentiis and co-producer famously...
Our odyssey through the works of David Cronenberg continues, with his 1986 horror masterpiece, The Fly...
The years between 1983 and 1985 saw David Cronenberg in something of a paradox. The success of his earlier movies, including his adaptation of The Dead Zone, had earned him a deserved reputation as a filmmaker on the rise. Yet while all kinds of offers were coming in from Hollywood - most wildly unsuitable, such as Beverly Hills Cop, some potentially extraordinary, such as Return Of The Jedi and Top Gun - the director found himself embroiled in the development hell of Total Recall.
Having written several drafts of the Total Recall script, and even paying visits to Rome and Tunisia to scout locations, the production suddenly fell apart. With neither Cronenberg nor producer Dino De Laurentiis willing to budge over which version of the script to film - De Laurentiis and co-producer famously...
- 1/4/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
1. The Fly (1958): The film is based on a short story by George Langelaan.
2. The Thing: Donald Pleasence was the original choice to play Dr. Blair, but was unable to due to prior filming commitments.
3. Cujo: Stephen King was inspired to write the book when he took his bike to a mechanic and encoutnered a St. Bernard who was growling and tried to bite him.
4. Intruder: The film takes place in Walnut Lake, Michigan, which is the area where Scott Spiegel, Bruce Campbell, Ted Raimi, and Sam Raimi grew up.
5. Candyman: An ambulance was on set during all bee scenes, because Virginia Madsen is severely allergic to bees.
6. Street Trash: This film was based on an original short film by director James Muro.
7. Zombie: The title was changed to Zombi 2 in Italy, in an effort to capatilize on the success of Dawn of the Dead,...
2. The Thing: Donald Pleasence was the original choice to play Dr. Blair, but was unable to due to prior filming commitments.
3. Cujo: Stephen King was inspired to write the book when he took his bike to a mechanic and encoutnered a St. Bernard who was growling and tried to bite him.
4. Intruder: The film takes place in Walnut Lake, Michigan, which is the area where Scott Spiegel, Bruce Campbell, Ted Raimi, and Sam Raimi grew up.
5. Candyman: An ambulance was on set during all bee scenes, because Virginia Madsen is severely allergic to bees.
6. Street Trash: This film was based on an original short film by director James Muro.
7. Zombie: The title was changed to Zombi 2 in Italy, in an effort to capatilize on the success of Dawn of the Dead,...
- 10/10/2011
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
The last time I saw The Fly was probably in the early nineties. It was a bit gruesome for me at a young age so I never felt the need to revisit it. I love you Jeff Goldblum but the last couple of scenes in that movie are a little much. The first film was directed and co-written by David Cronenberg. That film was a semi-remake of the 1958 version from helmer Kurt Neumann. Both are derived from the short story by George Langelaan. In 1989, if you recall, there was a sequel with Eric Stoltz...
- 10/3/2011
- by Niki Stephens
- JoBlo.com
Constantly overlooked at awards ceremonies, the varied films of David Cronenberg often benefit from some remarkable performances. Here are 10 of the very best…
David Cronenberg's films are frequently noted for their existentialist themes and startlingly imaginative flashes of violence, but there's one aspect of his movie making that's often overlooked. Almost every film he's made since the late-70s has featured at least one stand-out performance, and I'd even go so far as to say that some actors have never bettered their Cronenberg-driven turns.
With but one exception, most of these performances have been overlooked by major award-giving organisations. To redress the balance a little, here's our list of career-best performances in Cronenberg's films...
Samantha Eggar
The Brood
Cronenberg's fourth feature, The Brood benefited from a great cast, including Oliver Reed as a glowering psychologist and Art Hindle as a young father struggling through the divorce from hell. It's...
David Cronenberg's films are frequently noted for their existentialist themes and startlingly imaginative flashes of violence, but there's one aspect of his movie making that's often overlooked. Almost every film he's made since the late-70s has featured at least one stand-out performance, and I'd even go so far as to say that some actors have never bettered their Cronenberg-driven turns.
With but one exception, most of these performances have been overlooked by major award-giving organisations. To redress the balance a little, here's our list of career-best performances in Cronenberg's films...
Samantha Eggar
The Brood
Cronenberg's fourth feature, The Brood benefited from a great cast, including Oliver Reed as a glowering psychologist and Art Hindle as a young father struggling through the divorce from hell. It's...
- 3/15/2011
- Den of Geek
The William Castle Film Collection (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, $80.95) assembles the master showman’s eight Columbia Pictures features in one set. Three (Zotz!, 13 Frightened Girls, The Old Dark House) are new to DVD. Only two are in color (Girls, House), but black and white works far better here to evoke film fear anyhow. Castle produced and directed them all (though he shares a producing credit with Hammer Films’ Anthony Hinds on the House remake). Three were scripted by Robb White (who also wrote Castle’s earlier gimmicky genre hits MacAbre and House On Haunted Hill) while Ray Russell and Robert Dillon racked up two scripts each and Starlog contributor Robert Bloch penned one.
The films (fantasies, thrillers, comedies) are grouped sort of by theme, two per disc. So, 13 Frightened Girls (a.k.a. The Candy Web) is teamed with 13 Ghosts for the triskaidekaphobia entry. Homicidal and Strait-jacket represent the murder,...
The films (fantasies, thrillers, comedies) are grouped sort of by theme, two per disc. So, 13 Frightened Girls (a.k.a. The Candy Web) is teamed with 13 Ghosts for the triskaidekaphobia entry. Homicidal and Strait-jacket represent the murder,...
- 10/20/2009
- by no-reply@starlog.com (David McDonnell)
- Starlog
Full disclosure: about four years ago, I went in and took a series of meetings about possibly rewriting "The Fly." At that point, the original short story by George Langelaan was Fox's main interest. They wanted to start there and then build something that was radically different than either the 1958 film or the 1986 film. So of course, today, in an effort to guarantee that they don't do anything remotely similar to either of those films, they hired David Cronenberg to direct the new version. I'm not automatically opposed to the idea. I think Cronenberg is one of the greatest...
- 9/24/2009
- Hitfix
Peter from Horror's Not Dead gives us Five: Adaptations of stories you probably don’t have on Your bookshelf
These days horror adaptations from the literary world are so rare (unless the source is Stephen King or a Manga) that one may forget a time when they were the bread and butter of genre productions. Obvious monster lineage (Frankenstein et al) and genre staples (Jaws, The Shining et al) aside, there are plenty of terrific adaptations of fairly underplayed short stories or novels. Some a little more common than others, but the following five all owe their existence to that wonderful breed of horror unique to tried and true prose.
Incident on and off a Mountain Road
Directed by the fan friendly Don Coscarelli, Incident is an adaptation of a short story by the relatively prolific Joe R. Lansdale. Perhaps best known as the author of Bubba Ho-Tep, Lansdale has...
These days horror adaptations from the literary world are so rare (unless the source is Stephen King or a Manga) that one may forget a time when they were the bread and butter of genre productions. Obvious monster lineage (Frankenstein et al) and genre staples (Jaws, The Shining et al) aside, there are plenty of terrific adaptations of fairly underplayed short stories or novels. Some a little more common than others, but the following five all owe their existence to that wonderful breed of horror unique to tried and true prose.
Incident on and off a Mountain Road
Directed by the fan friendly Don Coscarelli, Incident is an adaptation of a short story by the relatively prolific Joe R. Lansdale. Perhaps best known as the author of Bubba Ho-Tep, Lansdale has...
- 4/18/2009
- by Leigh
- Latemag.com/film
PARIS -- Canadian director David Cronenberg has caught the opera bug. Literally.
Rehearsals are under way for the operatic adaptation of Cronenberg's 1987 horror flick "The Fly" for Paris' Chatelet Theater and the Los Angeles Opera. Run-throughs are being held at the theater, which will set the stage for the five performances running Wednesday through July 13.
The melodious version of the film about a scientist transformed into a giant man/fly hybrid will be conducted by tenor Placido Domingo with music composed by Howard Shore, who also wrote the score for the original movie. The script is by David Henry Hwang, based on the eponymous novel by Frenchman George Langelaan.
"We're really branching out internationally. It's a story from France that went to Hollywood and is now coming back home," Chatelet Theater director Jean-Luc Choplin said.
Italian designer Dante Ferretti will be handling scenery, and Cronenberg's sister, Denise, is designing the costumes for the Franco-American co-production.
"I think the production will please both true opera fans and also reach out to younger audiences," Choplin said.
Rehearsals are under way for the operatic adaptation of Cronenberg's 1987 horror flick "The Fly" for Paris' Chatelet Theater and the Los Angeles Opera. Run-throughs are being held at the theater, which will set the stage for the five performances running Wednesday through July 13.
The melodious version of the film about a scientist transformed into a giant man/fly hybrid will be conducted by tenor Placido Domingo with music composed by Howard Shore, who also wrote the score for the original movie. The script is by David Henry Hwang, based on the eponymous novel by Frenchman George Langelaan.
"We're really branching out internationally. It's a story from France that went to Hollywood and is now coming back home," Chatelet Theater director Jean-Luc Choplin said.
Italian designer Dante Ferretti will be handling scenery, and Cronenberg's sister, Denise, is designing the costumes for the Franco-American co-production.
"I think the production will please both true opera fans and also reach out to younger audiences," Choplin said.
- 6/29/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
PARIS -- World-famous tenor Placido Domingo and prolific film director David Cronenberg are making music together, with Cronenberg set to direct and Domingo to conduct an operatic version of the helmer's 1986 film "The Fly" at Paris' Theatre du Chatelet.
The adaptation is scheduled to premiere on July 1, 2008, followed by a premiere stateside in collaboration with the Los Angeles Opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Domingo and Theatre du Chatelet general manger Jean-Luc Choplin announced at a press lunch Friday in Paris.
"It's our duty as theater directors to give the grand composers of today the opportunity to create new operas," said Domingo.
"The Fly" was composed by Academy- and Grammy-award winner Howard Shore to a libretto written by Tony-winning playwright David Henry Hwang. Based on the 1957 short story by George Langelaan, the opera will recount the physical and psychological transformation of a scientist who begins to mutate into a hybrid of man and fly when one of his experiments goes horribly awry.
The adaptation is scheduled to premiere on July 1, 2008, followed by a premiere stateside in collaboration with the Los Angeles Opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Domingo and Theatre du Chatelet general manger Jean-Luc Choplin announced at a press lunch Friday in Paris.
"It's our duty as theater directors to give the grand composers of today the opportunity to create new operas," said Domingo.
"The Fly" was composed by Academy- and Grammy-award winner Howard Shore to a libretto written by Tony-winning playwright David Henry Hwang. Based on the 1957 short story by George Langelaan, the opera will recount the physical and psychological transformation of a scientist who begins to mutate into a hybrid of man and fly when one of his experiments goes horribly awry.
- 2/17/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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