Most directors are known for a specific genre that they work in. But John Landis has managed to create modern classics in two genres -comedy (Animal House, The Blues Brothers) and horror (An American Werewolf In London). Three if you break off The Blues Brothers from comedy and classify it as a straight up musical.
And while his most recent film Burke & Hare (which will finally have a US release on September 9) had some horror elements, it was definitely a comedy. But during a recent interview with Bloody Disgusting to promote that film, Landis revealed that he is currently working on an all-out horror film.
You know what? Actually, I’m writing one with Alexandre Gavras* and we’re shooting it within the next two years in Paris … Yeah, a little monster movie. It has no title [yet]…You’re the first people to know about it. . . It’s interesting…my cast has to be bilingual because it’s being shot in French and English. We know who’s gonna star in it, but this is all off the radar right now [so I can’t tell you who they are].
* Alexandre Gavras is the son of legendary Greek filmmaker Costa-Govras.
Setting aside a pair of episodes for Showtime’s Masters Of Horror series, 1992’s Innocent Blood was the last time that Landis worked in horror. Of course, the last two decades have been rather rocky ones for the director. Hopefully this project will help reverse those fortunes.
As to this unnamed mystery project, who are the bilingual actors Landis wants to star in it? At a guess it could be Marion Cotillard or Jean Reno. And even if this story didn’t involve John Landis, the possibility of either of thembeing involved in a horror film would be enough to keep us following it. More details when they are revealed.
