How do you follow up the remake of an HG Lewis film? Well if you’re Tim Sullivan and you managed to buck all expectations and make 2001 Maniacs a blast with Robert Englund, you go find yourself another horror legend to make a sequel!
It’s been heavily rumored for a while but it’s finally been confirmed- Bill Mosely has taken over as the role of Mayor Buckman in 2001 Maniacs:Beverly Hellbillys. The character is of course the head of a town of bloodthirsty Southerners that prey on any hapless Yankeess that stray into their ghostly town. The film has just wrapped production in Iowa, and they just sent over these first stills.
Joining Moseley will be a bunch of other horror vets (of sorts)- Lin Shaye (Snakes on a Plane), Nivek Ogre (of Skinny Puppy and Repo! The Genetic Opera fame), Christa Campbell (2001 Maniacs), Trevor Wright (Shelter), Andrea Leon (Hood of Horror), and Ahmed Best… yes, Jar Jar Binks himself.
The plot seems like it’s going to get pretty topical. “Over the years I was approached many times to write and direct a sequel, but I waited until we not only had a storyline that served as a worthy successor to “2001 Maniacs”, but also the creative freedom to push the envelope open even further in a smart and funny way”, says Tim Sullivan. “Then on the eve of the election of Barack Obama as the nation’s first African-American president, I saw the opportunity to once again use the residents of Pleasant Valley as vehicle to expose the deep rooted prejudices of all segments of our society in a way that would hopefully make everyone realize the absurdity of their biases, while also sneaking in a few laughs in at the same time.”
The 2000 Maniacs franchise is definitely ripe for racial commentary, what with the whole “south will rise again” motif, and Sullivan’s shown time and time again that he can make a entertaining, edgy, gory film, so I personally can’t wait to see what he has in store for us this time.
The film will premiere at the American Film Market this November.
