As a dedicated horror enthusiast and aspiring filmmaker, I find myself utterly captivated by the journey of Damien Leone, the mastermind behind the terrifying Art the Clown character from the “Terrifier” series. His story is a testament to the power of passion, persistence, and the ability to learn from one’s idols.
Initially released in 2016, the horror film “Terrifier” primarily circulated within the underground scene. However, it wasn’t until the arrival of “Terrifier 2” in 2022 that the franchise began to garner mainstream recognition. Reports surfaced about audience members fainting and vomiting during screenings, sparking even more curiosity among viewers. Remarkably, “Terrifier 2” earned over $15 million at the box office, a significant achievement considering its modest budget of just $250,000.
Currently, filmmaker Damien Leone returns with the third installment of “Terrifier,” leaving audiences astonished after its Fantastic Fest premiere. The kill scene in this new movie is said to be just as intense and nauseating as the one in the previous film that left viewers queasy. In a series known for shunning mainstream norms to deliver something truly sinister, Art the Clown has become a slasher legend comparable to Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees. Excitingly, it’s been confirmed that “Terrifier 4” is in development.
In this rephrased version, here’s a way to present the information: Looper had an opportunity to engage in a discussion with Leone about his recent exploration into Art the Clown’s wickedness in “Terrifier 2”. The conversation also included updates on related news stories and the creative choice behind making “Terrifier 3” a holiday-themed movie.
The decision to continue the franchise beyond Terrifier 3
Congratulations on “Terrifier 3.” I heard it was played wonderfully at Fantastic Fest.
Damien Leone: Indeed, it did. Honestly, I was quite anxious leading up to it, but the responses were simply marvelous, so my gratitude knows no bounds.
Back when I mentioned that “Terrifier 3” might be the final chapter, I had a change of heart. As I delved deeper into crafting the third installment, an idea sparked within me – “You know what? Let’s explore more of this twisted world in ‘Terrifier 4.'” The genesis of Terrifier 4 was born from my unrelenting passion for the franchise and a desire to push the boundaries even further.
Initially, when I embarked on writing [“Terrifier 2”], I had a clear vision of its scope and the ultimate destination where the story would conclude. From there, it was about finding the right balance in terms of how much of the story needed to be told between this chapter and the final one, as there are many intriguing ideas I have for the Sienna character (played by Lauren LaVera).
Why does Jason (from the Friday the 13th series) keep returning in movie after movie, while Michael Myers (from “Halloween”) also seems to have an endless life? The explanation often given is that they are supernatural entities, but the stories don’t usually delve into what that force or evil actually is. I thought it could be interesting to explore this aspect of their characters more deeply. This approach resonated with some viewers, while others preferred the traditional slasher genre.
In my opinion, we’ll consistently see Art as a central figure in these films due to his unique qualities. However, continually focusing solely on his role as a traditional slasher, with repetitive scenes of stalking and violence, can become monotonous and uninteresting for me as an artist. As a result, I aimed to delve deeper and introduce a benevolent version of Art the Clown who is embarking on the same metaphysical journey where he undergoes transformation, transcendence, and ultimately becomes something else.
Instead, I found it captivating to observe her reaction, amidst the extraordinary and fearsome events unfolding around her. From a dramatic standpoint, this made the story more intriguing for me as an artist, rather than merely witnessing Art the Clown slaughter another group of people without any defined purpose or motivation. It offered a chance to portray violence in a way that went beyond mindless repetition.
On upping the ante after those Terrifier 2 reactions
Regarding “Terrifier 2,” there were numerous reports about viewers fainting or becoming ill during the screenings. This led me to wonder about your response and if it put any additional pressure on you for “Terrifier 3” to produce something even more distressing.
Initially, it wasn’t just about pride. Instead, I was amazed, thinking, “Wow, this is effective. It’s really working.” This feeling was particularly strong from a special makeup effects perspective, as it indicated that our work had the intended visceral impact. This success can be attributed to the exceptional quality of the makeup that Phil Falcone and I, who have spent years perfecting those effects, created.
It required nearly three years to produce “Terrifier 2”, and finding out that it had such an impact was incredibly gratifying, validating, and even surprising because it’s not often the case. Nowadays, after the release of “Terrifier 2”, it seems more common to hear about movies causing people to faint or vomit, which wasn’t something frequently discussed before our film.
Initially, there were only a few films where the buzz really took off, which made being involved in them thrilling. However, when the initial excitement subsides and it’s time to create a sequel, it feels more like, “Oh boy, now the expectations are amplified by tenfold.” The challenge is to strive, at the very least, to surpass what was achieved earlier.
The situation has grown more complicated because there’s a risk of stepping into distasteful extremes. I can certainly find the most questionable material to present, it isn’t difficult, and I have the ability to expose every detail of that, but doing so may only serve to alienate the audience if I push too far and repeatedly shove it in their faces with a taunting attitude like “Here, have this. Can you handle this?” That’s not very considerate on one hand. My role as an artist, however, has always been about striking a balance between maintaining broad appeal while also presenting material that is more extreme than usual. In essence, I’m constantly trying to walk the line of accessibility and pushing boundaries in my work, which I see as an ongoing experiment.
I didn’t necessarily accomplish it, but I believe these films may still be quite challenging for many viewers. However, they could certainly be much more problematic. In fact, they easily could have been much worse.
Choosing to make Terrifier 3 a Christmas movie
Could you elaborate on the reasoning behind turning “Terrifier 3” into a Christmas film, and did you draw inspiration from any Christmas movies, be they horror-themed or not, during the production process?
Absolutely!
The decision to place this character in various traditional Christmas scenarios wasn’t merely for comedic effect, but also because of the potential for both humor and unsettling horror. Moreover, I believed it would breathe new life into the franchise, making it less seasonally bound and more versatile. Essentially, Art the Clown isn’t limited to Halloween; he can be adapted to fit any context, providing ample opportunities for hilarity.
He could always find the absurdity in any scenario you placed him in, which I found amusing. I have a soft spot for Christmas-themed horror stories. “Black Christmas” is my preferred Christmas horror movie, particularly the original version. However, my most cherished Christmas horror tale, one I adore more than “Black Christmas,” is the “Tales from the Crypt” episode titled “And All Through The House.” This one resonated with me deeply growing up, and it revolves around a man who has escaped from an asylum, dresses as Santa Claus, and attempts to force his way into a woman’s house in the dead of night with the intention of killing her brutally using an axe.
I find an intriguing blend of fear and comfort particularly captivating, and for me, nothing embodies this more than the festive spirit of Christmas. Yet, imagine someone attempting to burgle your home with a menacing axe – that’s about as chilling as it gets! Since my childhood, I’ve been drawn to such contrasting feelings. This project offered a chance to reimagine the deranged Santa Claus figure and, moreover, dress Art the Clown in that attire, which adds a unique twist to this character. In turn, it breathes new life into the overused maniacal Santa Claus trope, making him feel fresh again. Everything about this concept felt natural and unforced.
“It was an instant realization, as if a lightbulb went off in my head. It seemed so obvious that I couldn’t help but think, ‘Of course! That’s a no-brainer. We should definitely go for it.’
On working with Tom Savini for Terrifier 3
In the upcoming movie “Terrifier 3,” Tom Savini takes on an acting role, and I was thrilled to witness it. Known as a legendary figure in special effects, I wondered if perhaps he shared some insights or advice for creating my own effects, or if maybe he imparted some wisdom while working in the gruesome field of horror.
I haven’t had to learn more about Tom Savini at this moment since he serves as my greatest inspiration. In fact, I might know aspects about him that he himself may not recall sharing. You catch my drift? His impact on me, as a filmmaker and makeup effects artist, is immense; to the extent that if I hadn’t first developed a passion for makeup effects, I wouldn’t be a director today.
At around 7 or 8 years old, I figured out who he was and what his profession entailed. Later, when I was about 11 or 12, my mother brought me to meet him at a horror convention. From that encounter, I became determined to delve deeply into makeup effects. I declared then and there, “This is what I aspire to do with my life – I want to make this my career.
Over time, I absorbed nearly all of his teachings and methods used to create every effect he ever made. Years later, after the release of “Terrifier,” we crossed paths again at horror conventions. Upon this reunion, I reminded him who I was, gifted him a mini Art the Clown figure, and shared my gratitude for being an inspiration. Later, when I won a Fangoria Chainsaw Award for my work in “Terrifier 2,” I acknowledged his role in my success.
Later, he phoned me and expressed his gratitude, stating that my kindness meant a lot to him. As our bond deepened at the horror conventions, I mentioned how much I’d enjoy having him involved. He was keen to be part of it. I acknowledged that it would be an honor to include him in the project. Eventually, it turned out to be a heartwarming moment when he secured a cool cameo in “Terrifier 3”, as I owe him almost everything for his significant role in my life.
Terrifier 4 and beyond
I’m really looking forward to finding out how “Terrifier 4,” featuring Art the Clown for Valentine’s Day, will turn out. You hinted at a zombie script during a Reddit AMA earlier. Is this a project you’re still pursuing or is “Terrifier 4” your current focus?
The zombie screenplay I created has taken a back seat, regrettably, as it was penned quite some time ago. My fascination with the zombie subgenre predates “The Walking Dead,” making it my preferred horror genre. Among my favorite horror films are “Dawn of the Dead” and “Day of the Dead.” Over the years, numerous interpretations have emerged, and many ideas have been explored. Essentially, my script shared similarities with “The Last of Us”; its two main characters were analogous to those in my script.
In my zombie movie, there remain some stunning action sequences left. I believe I can apply a creative twist to the zombies, just as I managed to breathe new life into the stereotypical killer clown, creating something original. I aim to do the same with zombies, putting a unique stamp on them, making it truly terrifying.
Initially, I found that the script needed a significant amount of revisions. As a result, I decided to set it aside. However, an exciting project has emerged with Sam Raimi’s production company, Ghost House Pictures. It’s an original tale penned by me, and we had been nurturing it for months before the writers’ strike occurred. This forced us into silence, but I subsequently concentrated on “Terrifier 3.
It remains uncertain as the success and demand for “Terrifier 3” will determine its progression, and I aim to expedite production given the uncertainty about how long the enthusiasm for Art the Clown and slasher movies will last. These types of films have a narrow span of popularity, rising and falling quickly.
Essentially, the horror genre remains constant, but the subcategories within it tend to follow a cycle, and for a long time, slasher films were scarce. Therefore, I might capitalize on the current momentum with “Terrifier,” though we’ll have to wait and see. In due course, it will become clearer which path I choose.
“Terrifier 3” will release in theaters nationwide on October 11.
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2024-10-01 21:01