EXCLUSIVE: TheTerrifierfranchise has been one of the biggest success stories in grassroots genre moviemaking in recent years.
We checked in with directorDamien Leoneand starLauren LaVerato discuss the upcoming third instalment.
The Coven handles sales.
(L-R) Damien Leone, Lauren LaVera, ‘Terrifier 2’ & Chris JerichoGetty/Jeff Harris/Everett/Getty
you’ve got the option to watch an early teaser trailer for the movie below.
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DEADLINE:Where are you at with the new movie?
DAMIEN LEONE:We are in pre-production right now.
‘Terrifier 2’Cinedigm
Were going to start shooting in two months, beginning of February.
So, were in the thick of it.
It could always be better and tighter: I never stop doing that all the way through production.
Im finally getting to the stage where Im very excited about it.
Were about to make a movie again, which is my childhood fantasy come true.
DEADLINE:How much of the script might change between now and start date?
LEONE: Not much.
Its pretty locked in.
DEADLINE:But horror franchises never end, do they?
DEADLINE:But the end of three does leave the door open?
The door can always be opened.
DEADLINE:Any more we can mention?
The fans are going to love that…Lauren, how excited are you to return to this franchise?
LAUREN LAVERA:Absolutely.
Above all else, I really love this character.
Weve been discussing what the characters mindset is after everything she went through in the last movie.
Damiens really fun to work with and hes always been open to improvisation on set.
Damien had so much faith in and understanding of this character.
It has been overwhelming, but in the best way.
DEADLINE:Do you embrace the term Scream Queen?
LAVERA: I think its pretty badass.
I mean thats just me.
I know certain people might have different opinions about that title but I think its pretty cool.
Ive always been a horror enthusiast, and I love women in horror.
DEADLINE:Are there any performances in the horror genre that you have particularly connected with?
LAVERA: The list is way too long.
I think of some of the newer names like Anya Taylor-Joy, Florence Pugh and Mia Goth.
I just watchedGirl, Interrupteda few days ago, and I was blown away by her performance.
She plays demented so well.
And of course, Neve Campbell who I just met for the first time.
She was so lovely and sweet.
I really look up to her.
I think Sidney Prescott is one of the best final girls in history.
Im close with some of theScreamguys now, like Skeet [Ulrich] and Jamie [Kennedy].
It has been a crazy year.
DEADLINE:What were your main touchstones for this franchise, Damien?
Halloween is my favorite, I would say, as a singular film, not necessarily the entire franchise.
I think its the greatest slasher film ever made.
DEADLINE: Stephen King, I guess too, with It?
LEONE:Huge, huge inspiration.
DEADLINE:What needs to happen next for the movie?
Is the money in place?
I always write for the moon, you know?
I dont think about budget.
We got to sort of streamline, and refine, and cut down.
But we have a bigger budget this time, significantly bigger.
The final price tag ofTerrifier, the original, was about $55k.
The second one was a little over $250k.
This time we have a couple of million to play with.
DEADLINE:Where will we see that on screen?
It was worth the years of work and the stress, but it does get daunting.
Theres a lot of pressure.
The production value itself is going to be much bigger in this one.
Its exhausting, but its also really rewarding.
DEADLINE:How about the gore factor?
LEONE:Im trying to make this one PG…Not.
So, there are scenes in this one that push it further.
LEONE:It depends on what the situation is.
There may be nudity, or a scene when a young woman is being hung upside-down.
There were no jokes on set that day.
Everybody was focused on safety and just getting in there and getting out of there.
Then there are other times where were just having a ball, laughing and joking with each other.
DEADLINE:How much interest has there been from bigger Hollywood companies in this franchise?
But it just wasnt the right time or fit.
I wasnt ready to have studio interference at that point.
I knew there would be a lot of eyes over my shoulders, especially in terms of the gore.
People made it known that future instalments would need to be rated R [the franchise is unrated].
But I didnt want to forget where I came from.
I was happy to keep it with Cineverse after the success weve had.
DEADLINE:Terrifier 3 will also be unrated, I take it?
I dont want to disrupt the formula that got us here.
None of my movies have been rated to date.
DEADLINE:Is Terrifier 3 your next project and do you have other projects in the pipeline?
LAVERA:I have an offer for something that may go beforeTerrifierbut were figuring that out.
LEONE:Terrifieris definitely my next one to shoot.
Ive also had a movie in development with Ghost House Pictures, Sam Raimis production company.
So, thats been fun, a really fun collaborative process with that team.
There are some other things.
I might have the opportunity to write and direct one of my favorite exploitation films from the 80s.
Its not a horror film, but it is an action sort of thriller revenge film from the 80s.
That would be a dream come true.
