Everything old is new again. While it’s a phrase often overused, this week sees it in full effect. Specially when it comes to horror properties. Just recently Robert Englund teased a willingness to don the claws one last time. The latest batch of news comes courtesy of Bloody Disgusting, who say that Killer Klowns From Outer Space and Critters are both possibly getting new entries.
Where they’ll call home is a bit surprising, as it’s SyFy, of all companies who is making a big for the rights. Doing a some digging, it appears the company is trying to shore up its slate by reviving 80’s and 90’s horror franchises. Next year alone they’ve got Leprechaun Returns set to premiere. It’s also not the first time they’ve gone this route, having tackled Anaconda and Lack Placid in the past.
Strangely enough both properties in question here, share some DNA already. The Chiodo Bros, who directed Killer Klowns, were also responsible for designing the titular creatures in Critters. No word on their involvement yet. They have hinted for years that they’d like to return each of the series, though.
For those unfamiliar, Killer Klowns, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, revolves around aliens who come to Earth (in a UFO disguised as a circus tent) to drain life-sustaining fluids from humans. Which they do using cotton candy guns and crazy straws. It’s kooky and rather funny. Meanwhile, Critters deals with aliens, called Crites, who crash land on Earth and the shape-changing bounty hunters sent to stop them from eating everything in their path. Thus making our planet appear like a pit stop for most of the galaxy.
For fans of horror, or “retro-horror” as some are unfortunately saying, this is a crazy time to be alive. Halloween just got revived and was #1 at the box office. Threats of a new Friday The 13 pop up weekly, while embroiled in a continuing court battle. RedBoxes are still somehow filled with Children of The Corn and Amityville sequels. Yet, seeing how SyFy doesn’t exactly have a sterling track record, this might deserve a “wait and see” approach. At least in terms of anticipation levels. After all, they are responsible for 5 Sharknado films.
What do you all think? Are you gnashing at the bit for the return of Killer Klowns? Or are you more of a Critters person? What horror franchise would you like to see new life breathed into? Let us know in the comments. Expect to see more on these titles soon. These seem destined to cash-in as other bigger films are hitting theaters, in the next year or so.
