Here’s some much welcome news for a late Friday afternoon.
Back in March, we got the announcement that Joe Dante, who recently turned 77, would be directing his first film in over 10 years. Roger Corman, who sadly passed away a few months later, was supposed to produce this spiritual successor to his 1960 classic “The Little Shop of Horrors.”
I can confirm that, despite Corman’s notable absence, the film is still very much happening and will start shooting in September. Brad Krevoy and Charles Cohen have stepped in big time as producers. The budget is set. A cast is being assembled as we speak. It’ll no doubt be seen as a tribute Corman’s vision.
“Matinee” writer Charles S. Haas has written the screenplay for “Little Shop of Halloween Horrors.”. The source material was already turned into a 1986 musical, starring Steve Martin. Dante’s film will likely not bear much resemblance to that one and lean more heavily into genre territory, much like Corman’s film did.
Dante, an underrated, and gifted genre filmmaker, whose long-life mentor was Corman, has directed the likes of “Piranha,” “The Howling,” “Gremlins”, “The ‘Burbs,” and “Matinee” — the latter, his best film, was a lyrical love letter to William Castle and 50s monster movies.
Dante deserves more recognition than he’s gotten. His films are filled with unique and creative charm, his style is influenced by those wonderful horror B-movies that had lots of humor, and sincerity. Many of his best films were commercial failures, but they’ve stood the test of time.
I also love how 1989’s “The ‘Burbs” has attained cult status in recent years. If there’s one film from Dante’s filmography that Id’s start with It might be that one, featuring one of Tom Hanks’ most undervalued and subversive performances.