I have to confess that I haven’t seen all the HELLRAISER movies. I loved the first and the third ones. After number three, I lost interest. The series seemed to be straying further and further from the original. I actually thought the franchise had already been rebooted once. I did know that they recast Pinhead, and a lot of fans were not happy about that. I guess it was a case of that “straying from the original” thing I mentioned, putting pins in the face of a new guy. I can see why it didn’t work. If you’re going to do a re-do, you need to go across-the-board with it. It sounds like that is the new plan.
Variety reports that a “loyal, evolved reimagining” has been “fast-tracked for worldwide theatrical distribution.” No direct-to-video minor effort, this!
News of a reboot wouldn’t necessarily be welcome, however, if we weren’t given the assurance that this new version will be faithful to the original. It remains to be seen whether or not they live up to their promise, mind you, but it does sound hopeful.
Prolific screenwriter David S. Goyer will be providing the script. Said Goyer: “Having the chance to reimagine Pinhead and the Cenobites for a new audience is a nightmare-come-true. [The director] is a true fan as well and we’re committed to making something dark and visceral.”
The major question this begs is, who should play Pinhead?