Hellraiser Veteran Writer Reacts to Movie Reboot & Pinhead Casting

Veteran Hellraiser writer Peter Atkins, who penned 1996’s Hellraiser: Bloodline, shares his reaction to the upcoming Hulu movie reboot and casting of Jamie Clayton as Pinhead. Atkins wrote the fourth installment of the science-fiction horror franchise based on Clive Barker’s 1986 novella, The Hellbound Heart. The upcoming reboot will be directed by David Bruckner, while Barke will return as a producer for the HBO Max series.

1996’s Hellraiser: Bloodline is a notable installment in the franchise, as it was the last one that Barker had major involvement with. The narrative is split between the origins of the series’ twisted puzzle box, the Lament Configuration, in 18th-century France, and a scientist’s plot to destroy the Cenobites on a 22nd-century space station. The script for Hellraiser: Bloodline was written by veteran series writer Atkins before Miramax demanded major rewrites, ultimately resulting in a critical failure. While the film franchise continued for five films following Hellraiser: Bloodline between numerous Hellraiser rights holders, the rights finally reverted back to Barker in 2020. With Barker now owning them once more, and two separate Hellraiser projects in production, Atkins was asked about his thoughts on the upcoming Hulu film and HBO Max series.

Speaking to Bloody Disgusting about Hellraiser: Bloodline‘s troubled production and his soon-to-be-published original screenplay of the film, Atkins was asked whether he would return to the franchise, and he briefly discussed both the reboot film and HBO Max series. Though he has no knowledge of either project, Atkins stated he didn’t envy the crew of the reboot film, saying that he hoped for the best for their efforts, and praised the casting of Clayton as Pinhead. Atkins also admitted he’d be unsure on how to relaunch the iconic franchise, but would gladly write for the show if the opportunity arose. Check out Atkin’s full answer below.

“I don’t envy them the job! I have my fingers crossed for them, and I hope it’s terrific. I think that the casting… unlike some assholes my age, I am not outraged. I think it sounds extremely intriguing, and extremely in line with the androgynous figure of Clive’s original novella. I’m totally on their side, my fingers are crossed for them … I wouldn’t like to do it. Like, I don’t know how you relaunch or reimagine – well, I can say it because I didn’t invent it – an iconic franchise. It’s Clive’s iconic franchise, not mine. Relaunching something like that, I don’t know. My head would be stuck in remake territory. So I think I’m probably done. But of course, if they staff up on the series and they’re letting all kinds of assholes write episodes, sure! If the show was more like the first couple of years of the Hellraiser comic book from Epic, sure. It had the broad canvas. It was such a wide range. There was lots of interesting, odd, oblique stuff going on … If the TV show happens, and if it was like that, I would love to have my phone ring. I doubt it will. I don’t know. I have no specific knowledge of either of the projects. I’m not in any way connected.”

Announced in 2019, the Hellraiser reboot film is written by The Dark Knight writer David S. Goyer, with Odessa A’zion being cast in the lead role alongside Clayton. Filming for the reboot wrapped in October 2021, with it being scheduled for release exclusively as a Hulu original in 2022. Meanwhile, the Barker-produced HBO Max series was announced in April 2020, with Halloween director David Gordon Green set to direct the pilot. Green considered the two projects as an interesting “cultural experiment,” exploring how Hellraiser is handled between the two formats.

With Atkins having a history of involvement with the franchise, it is interesting to hear how the veteran creative views the future of the franchise. Atkins’ support for both projects is welcome to see, showing that, while the writer appears thankful the reboots aren’t in his hands, he still supports fresh, new approaches to the Hellraiser saga. Atkins’ comments are fair, and both the new Hulu and HBO Max Hellraiser adaptations will have plenty to answer for to long-time fans. However, with iconic horror hits like Halloween, Scream and Chucky finding new life, many will wonder if Hellraisercan really become the next revitalized horror franchise.

Source: Bloody Disgusting

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