As a cinephile with decades of film history under my belt, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgic regret when I think about the unmade masterpieces that could have graced our screens. The story behind Ridley Scott’s canceled movie, “The Train,” is one such example.
Over time, many remarkable ideas for horror films have been put forward by writers and directors. Regrettably, not every one of these films made it onto the screen. Occasionally, financial constraints were the problem, while at other times, disagreements about creativity stood in the way. In all instances, the unanswered question that lingers is “what might have been.
From potentially terrifying remakes to crossover specials, these canceled horror movies all have one thing in common: we would have loved to see them. We might not be able to make them a reality, but we can certainly speculate on what we missed out on.
7 George A. Romero’s Resident Evil
George A. Romero is often referred to as the ruler of zombie films due to his notable contributions such as “Night of the Living Dead,” “Dawn of the Dead,” and “Day of the Dead.” Notably, the game “Resident Evil” is a survival horror shooter that lets players fight against zombies. Given Romero’s expertise and the game’s theme, it seems like an ideal match for a movie adaptation.
Not in the Script
It seems that the script by Romero for the project didn’t resonate well with others due to its high level of violence and excessive action, with a perceived lack of character development. Consequently, Romero was removed from the project, and Paul W.S. Anderson took over as director, which ultimately led to the release of the 2002 movie.
Even though we missed out on Romero’s adaptation, there’s still something exciting to anticipate: a documentary that delves deeper into the events surrounding it.
6 Little Shop of Horrors Reboot
The musical comedy horror film, “Little Shop of Horrors“, follows the tale of florist Seymour Krelborn and his carnivorous plant named Audrey II. Seymour dreams of leaving Skid Row with his coworker, Audrey, and when Audrey II starts drawing customers to the shop, he believes he’s found a solution. However, as the plant becomes increasingly bloodthirsty, Seymour’s escape plan gets progressively complex.
Pandemic Hurdles
Rick Moranis played Seymour exceptionally well in the original version, just as Steve Martin, Bill Murray, and numerous other famous actors did. Due to the movie’s popularity, a remake was almost inevitable, and when Warner Bros revealed that one was being made with Taron Egerton, Chris Evans, and Scarlett Johansson in the lead roles, fans were excited.
Regrettably, the pandemic significantly disrupted the movie’s filming process, eventually leading to its cancellation by 2022. However, there’s a possibility that a fresh remake is now being developed with Roger Corman at the helm as director. Time will tell if this new project takes flight or ends up on a list of scrapped movies like this one.
5 Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash
In the film “Freddy vs. Jason”, these two iconic horror figures, Freddy Krueger and Jason Vorhees, revolutionized the genre of monster movies. The narrative unfolds on Elm Street, where an unusual twist occurs – the town’s inhabitants have stopped fearing Freddy. To reignite their terror and regain his power, Freddy manipulates events to resurrect Jason from the depths of “Friday the 13th”, attempting to control him into committing murders on his behalf. However, Jason is a character who only kills for himself, resulting in fewer victims and diminishing Freddy’s power. This sets the stage for a fierce showdown.
Evil Dead Crossover Dies
The hit movie “Freddy vs. Jason” sparked numerous other film concepts aiming for similar triumph. One intriguing proposal that attracted much buzz involved introducing Ash from the Evil Dead. The plan was for this movie to potentially be Freddy’s final appearance, with whispers suggesting that Ash would end his life permanently. Regrettably, whether or not this plot twist would have materialized remains uncertain, as the film was ultimately shelved, primarily due to complications regarding rights and fair remuneration.
Fortunately, readers can get a glimpse of what could have been through the comic series.
4 Helloween
Initially, it might seem that the tormenting Cenobites from Hellraiser and the relentless Michael Myers from Halloween share few similarities apart from their penchant for violence. However, following the triumph of Freddy vs. Jason, Dimension Films envisioned a fusion of these franchises as well. Numerous actors and other industry professionals associated with the series endorsed this concept; nevertheless, the fans showed less enthusiasm. To determine fan interest, Dimension Films conducted a survey, but ultimately decided to shelve the project, much to the dismay of those who were eager for it.
Rife with Potential
In theory, the combination of Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees seems unusual, but the film “Freddy vs. Jason” became a cult classic. Despite fan opposition, one could argue that a match-up between Michael Myers and Pinhead, particularly with John Carpenter at the helm, would have also been successful. The potential for delving deeper into the Curse of Thorn or the Cenobites’ puzzle boxes, or just watching these entities fight, is regrettable, as this movie was never made. What makes it even more disappointing is that this isn’t the only abandoned John Carpenter project on this list.
3 John Carpenter’s Shadow Company
John Carpenter is well-known for numerous films, such as “Halloween,” and has a reputation for a high number of projects that he was unable to bring to fruition. One such project is “Shadow Company,” a blend of horror and action, often compared to the combination of “The Exorcist” and “Platoon.” This unrealized film revolved around Vietnam war veteran Jake Pollard and his struggle against the resurrection of murderous American soldiers, which he aimed to halt.
The Script Lives on
The cause for this project’s termination remains unclear, but it seems that technical problems during its early stages may have been the culprit. Nevertheless, the film has developed a dedicated fanbase, thanks in part to the availability of the script online, which they can peruse at their leisure.
2 Ridley Scott’s The Train
The development of the movie initially known as “Dead Reckoning,” later renamed “The Train” by Ridley Scott, was quite intricate. Originally a blend of horror and sci-fi, it could be described as a cyborg take on the concept of “Alien” set aboard a train. Carolco Pictures acquired the script and brought in Scott to direct, at which point the title shifted to “The Train.” However, Scott opted to work on “Thelma and Louise” instead, leading to another title change, this time to “Isobar,” and a significant overhaul of the script. By this stage, the film bore little resemblance to its original concept, and with Carolco declaring bankruptcy, it’s no surprise that the movie never came to fruition.
What Could Have Been
Movies such as “Train to Busan” demonstrate that trains can effectively serve as a backdrop for horror genres. Given Scott’s direction, an “Alien” adaptation on a train would have been an awe-inspiring spectacle. With the buzz surrounding this film, it’s disappointing that production didn’t proceed, particularly since the “Alien” franchise continues to captivate audiences, and such a concept would undoubtedly garner more devotees.
1 Alfred Hitchcock’s Kaleidoscope
Alfred Hitchcock, famously dubbed the “Master of Suspense,” directed numerous thrillers and horror films throughout his distinguished career. Similar to Carpenter, several of his proposed projects remained unproduced. One such film was titled Kaleidoscope, also known as Frenzy, though not the 1972 version. This movie was intended as a prequel to Shadow of a Doubt and would narrate the story of a murderous necrophile. An innovative film, Hitchcock modeled the killer after real-life murderers, and his aim to make it as disturbing as possible ultimately led to its downfall.
Too Dark and Disturbing
Eventually, “Kaleidoscope” was pulled due to its intense and unsettling nature. Ironically, these very qualities that make it too extreme for some, are what captivate modern audiences about the movie now. Regrettably, we’ll never be able to see Hitchcock’s complete work, but thanks to the (NSFW) test footage, viewers can gather a clearer idea of the original vision.
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2024-10-29 01:02