While it’s not the most original of titles (I’d prefer one with a subtitle than the number ‘2’), I’m happy to hear that the trio of companies that worked together to bring us the horror anthology The ABC’s of Death (read my review here) are reuniting once again to bring us a sequel to the insane and out there feature, The ABC’s of Death 2. I’m aware, and I’m sure the studios are as well, that there were few segments that just didn’t work in the first film and, judging from the notes in the press release (which you can read below), they are looking to make this a much more entertaining experience with faster paced shorts and keeping an eye on their directors so that we don’t get another shitty short like the one Ti West directed for it.
It’s currently unknown if any of the original film’s directors will be returning but the new line-up for the sequel is looking outstanding with names like Sion Sono, Vincenzo Natali, Álex de la Iglesia, E.L. Katz, Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado, Jen and Sylvia Soska and more (see below) creating shorts for the anticipated sequel. It’s clear just from looking at the directors they have hired thus far that this film will be vastly different from what we’ve already seen and I’m really excited to see how this turns out.
Check the press release below for more details on the project and start spreading the word that a new anthology is coming to town in 2014 (most likely).
Magnet Releasing in Association with Timpson Films and Drafthouse Films announce ABCs OF DEATH 2
Cannes – May 15, 2013 – Producers Ant Timpson, Tim League, and the Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnet Releasing announced today the production of ABCs OF DEATH 2, a high energy sequel to the 2012 anthology hit that delivers 26 new dark tales from the industry’s most celebrated genre directors. Taking all that was great from the first installment, ABCs OF DEATH 2 aims to be a wilder, leaner, faster paced and even more entertaining anthology this time around, with a new crop of award-winning, visionary filmmakers from around the globe.
In a significant departure from the first installment, ABCs OF DEATH 2 is expanding beyond horror directors. The sequel’s new roster includes Goya Award winner Álex de la Iglesia (THE LAST CIRCUS, DAY OF THE BEAST); ROOM 237 mastermind Rodney Ascher; Academy Award-nominated animator Bill Plympton; Filipino icon – and Director’s Fortnight inductee – Erik Matti (ON THE JOB, MAGIC TEMPLE); and the founder of Nigerian “Nollywood” cinema Lancelot Imasuen.
Additional confirmed filmmakers include Lithuania’s Kristina Buozyte and Bruno Samper (VANISHING WAVES), Japan’s arthouse provocateur Sion Sono (COLD FISH, SUICIDE CLUB), SPLICE and CUBE’s Vincenzo Natali, indie horror icon Larry Fessenden (THE LAST WINTER, HABIT), THE COLLECTION’s Marcus Dunstan, France’s Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo (INSIDE, LIVID), E.L. Katz (director of the SXSW breakout hit CHEAP THRILLS), twin auteurs Jen and Sylvia Soska (AMERICAN MARY, DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK), Israel’s Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado (RABIES, BIG BAD WOLVES), A LONELY PLACE TO DIE’s Julian Gilbey, Brazil’s most controversial filmmaker Dennison Ramalho (NINJAS and LOVE FOR MOTHER ONLY), THE LEGEND OF BEAVER DAM and the upcoming STAGEFRIGHT’s Jerome Sable, and animator Robert Morgan – creator of the BAFTA Award nominated short BOBBY YEAH.
Additional filmmaker announcements, as well as the return of the series’ popular 26th Director competition (which allows one exceptional fan-made entry to become part of the finished film), will occur throughout the Summer of 2013.
“The ABCs OF DEATH was a wildly ambitious anthology that connected with genre fans in a big way, and we’re all very excited about the potential for the sequel,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “With talented producers Ant and Tim and the incredible roster of directors assembled, we’re confident that ABCs of DEATH 2 will be even better than the first.”
“This time around we’re all determined to expand the concept to even more hyperkinetic, comically deranged and mortally dizzying heights of how someone can shuffle off this mortal coil,” said Producer Ant Timpson.
Magnet is planning a 2014 release of the film. ABCs OF DEATH 2 is produced by Ant Timpson and Tim League, in conjunction with associate producers Todd Brown, Marc Walkow, Mitch Davis, and Ted Geoghegan.
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