Nothing about the “R” classification for “strong bloody horror violence” and “graphic nudity” in Hulu’s remake of Clive Barker’s 1987 classic Hellraiser comes as a shock. The forthcoming feature picture, featuring Jamie Clayton (of Sense8) as the Hell Priest, was directed by David Bruckner (of The Ritual, V/H/S, The Night House, and Southbound fame).
Barker is producing the next horror remake, which was written by Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski. Even though Bruckner has tried some new things, Barker has remarked that the new Hellraiser picture is a respectful tribute to the classic.
“Simply put, I did not anticipate a Hellraiser of this magnitude. David and his crew are well-versed on the legends surrounding the narrative, but what really gets me is their commitment to staying true to the source material while still bringing the story into the modern moment.” Since its first publication in 1987, Clive Barker’s cult masterpiece has spawned 10 new series, such as Hellraiser: Deader, Hellraiser: Hellworld, Hellraiser: Revelations, and Hellraiser: Judgment. However, Bruckner said through SFX Magazine that his new take on Pinhead and Cenobites will be more than a “minor reinvention.”
Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to comment on the matter. Bruckner has stated that they are actively working towards this goal, and that “it is a thrill and a dream for a director like me to enter into that universe,” citing the 1987 film and Clive’s 1986 horror novel The Hellbound Heart as their “main source of inspiration.” The original Hellraiser tells the story of a door to hell being opened accidentally, releasing Cenobites, who are terrifying monsters from the underworld. Pinhead, Chatterer, Butterball, and Open/Deep Throat are just a few of the Cenobites that have just begun to cause Larry (Andrew Robinson) and Julia (Tessa Thompson) some unimaginable amounts of fear (Clare Higgins).
Clayton will be joined by Odessa A’zion (Grand Army) as Riley, Adam Faison (Into the Dark: Midnight Kiss), Drew Starkey (The Devil All the Time), Selina Lo (Boss Level), Goran Vinji (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Hiam Abbass (Blade Runner 2049), and Aoife Hinds (Derry Girls) in as-yet-undisclosed roles. The new Hulu Original is the second reboot on the streaming platform, after the release of Prey, which was based on the 1987 science fiction picture Predator by John McTiernan. Even though the picture has not yet been given a release date, fans are bracing themselves for a bloody sensation in light of its recent “R” certification.