Yesterday it was announced that genre-bending™ director Neil Marshall (“Dog Soldiers,” “The Descent,” “Doomsday”) would be directing “Burst 3D” for Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert’s Ghost House Productions, with worldwide distribution being handled by Lionsgate.
The script, by hot newcomer Gary Dauberman (who is also writing the “Deadman” movie for producer Guillermo del Toro and the newly reorganized D.C. Entertainment), was said to be one of Ghost House’s favorites of late. The story takes place in a blizzard, when a supernatural force menaces a group of wary travelers, causing them to spontaneously combust. While we’re not crazy about the whole “supernatural force” angle, seeing people’s heads explode is an undeniable, primal delight, especially in three dimensions.
Mike Pasornek, Lionsgate’s President of Motion Picture Productions, made the hyperbolic claim in the press release that “horror fans are guaranteed one of the most terrifying and innovative experiences of their moviegoing lives.” Uh huh.
While this all sounds like good, gooey fun, we can’t help but feel that Neil Marshall’s considerable talents would be better suited elsewhere. Thankfully, he’s got the cool-sounding Romans versus British sword-and-sandals epic “Centurion” coming — though it could easily just be a “300” knock0ff — starring “Inglourious Basterds” scene-stealer Michael Fassbender. Keep in mind Neil Marshall was said to be the front-runner to helm Robert Rodriguez’s “Predators,” before the job went to Nimrod Antal, so maybe he’s just looking for work.
We also wonder if the 3D gags will overwhelm any semblance of plot (the sooner this 3D horror movie jag is over, the better), thus deeming it unwatchable on home video formats.
No word on when this thing is supposed to land, but we’re guessing Halloween next year.[ComingSooon]- Drew Taylor