Welcome, Atom Insider readers, to Donato’s Dungeon! Isn’t chasing news headlines a grueling and exhausting task? Ever wonder where you can get all the week’s biggest headlines in one easy-to-find place? That’s why I’m here, armed with a chainsaw and machete to slice through the week’s onslaught of horror news to find the most notable happenings in our genre community. Let’s see what sights I have to show you…

1. ‘Pet Semetary’ Remake Alternate Ending Available To Watch Online

This year’s Pet Semetary remake flipped the script on which littlest Creed gets resurrected, but in addition, some fans were shocked by the film’s divisive ending. Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer set out to stamp their mark on the Stephen King adaptation, and that they assuredly did. With the home release date set for June 25, 2019, Paramount has released an alternate version of the film’s ending to watch online. Check out the other ending here and see which you like more?

Source: EW

2. ‘The Craft’ Remake Eyes Lead Actress, Transgender Casting Call

Sony’s upcoming remake of The Craft has started the casting process, and it’s being reported that Cailee Spaeny (Pacific Rim: Uprising, Bad Times at the El Royale) is in negotiations to star. The film will be written by Zoe Lister-Jones, with a July start date teased for production. Keep an eye out as more actresses fall under the film’s spell.

In other news, Blumhouse recently called for a transgender actress to play Lourdes, “a punk rocker” and “the second member of the teenage clique. her super Catholic mother threw her out for being trans and she now lives with her 80-year-old abuela, who taught Lourdes a variety of supernatural practices.” Do you have what it takes to join this witchy crew? See the details below.

Source: Variety

3. Lars Klevberg Discusses One ‘Child’s Play’ Remake Kill He Couldn’t Legally Include

Apparently, according to Bloody Disgusting, the rights issues and legality of this summer’s Child’s Play remake caused alterations to the script. One such instance involves how Andy’s stepfather, played by David Lewis, and his already gruesome death. Apparently, it was a lot more gruesome? Then Universal, who holds all the rights to the sequels, contacted MGM to say, “Nope, you can’t [redacted] because we already did what’s described in a sequel.” Check out the report here to see how Lewis’ character was originally supposed to be offed (including spoilers, obviously).

Source: Bloody Disgusting

4. ‘Brahms: The Boy II’ No Longer Releasing This Summer

STX has decided to push Brahms: The Boy II from its July 26th release date to December 6, 2019. This is probably a good move, since STX completely forgot to market Brahms: The Boy II. Until the release change was announced, I’d completely forgotten William Brent Bell’s sequel was even a thing. Time to forget again until December!

5. ‘The Trench’ Spinoff Will Be A Monster Movie First, Superhero Movie Second

For horror fans, the highlight of James Wan’s Aquaman origin occurs in the darkest oceanic reaches. Hordes of piranha-humanoid monsters attack Arthur and Mera, chasing them through Lovecraftian, cavernous depths known as “The Trench.” Not long after Aquaman’s successful opening, Wan confirmed The Trench would be a horror-focused Aquaman spinoff staying in this same nightmare world. Talking to ComicBook.com, Wan confirmed you can expect the monster movie you’re all wanting:

“We’re still deep in sort of crafting the script, crafting the story right now so I don’t want to get into that too much. But definitely it’s one that I really want to lean into the horror of it. So it’s going to play more as a monster horror movie than it will as a superhero film, but it’s still definitely part of the Aquaman world.”

My pick for director? Johannes Roberts (47 Meters Down/47 Meters Down: Uncaged). As for my reasoning, please watch 47 Meters Down.

6. Poster For ‘Deathcember’ Segment ‘Milk And Cookies’ Is Everything I Want In Christmas Horror

Deathcember, which I’ve reported on previously, is an advent calendar horror anthology featuring 24 shorts from 24 different filmmakers. Yes, it’s Christmas horror-themed. Yes, I’m going to keep reporting on it because Christmas horror is celebrated vigorously around these parts. Check out the rad poster for Sam Wineman’s “Milk And Cookies” segment, about “a boy [who] leaves a note out for Santa asking him to fix a toy pony his father broke. When his wishes begin to come true, they become increasingly darker.”

7. ‘The Purge’ Season Two Adds Four New Cast Members

James DeMonaco is currently working on his latest Purge film, set to release in July 2020, but at the same time, USA Network continues to forge forward with a new season of their The Purge television series. With Season 2 upcoming, we now know four names have been added to the cast. Derek Luke will play “an accomplished professional whose seemingly perfect life is shattered when an assassin breaks into his house on Purge night,” Max Martini plays Ryan Grant, who “spends his entire year precisely preparing for a massive once-a-year Purge heist with his long-time crew,” Paola Nuñez plays “a top employee at an NFFA surveillance center who dedicated her life to spotting crimes and digitally tagging lawbreakers,” and Joel Allen “a clean-cut fraternity member whose life changes forever when he goes out on Purge night for the first time.”

Source: Deadline

8. Glenn Danzig’s ‘Verotika’ Set For Halloween VOD Release, Teases Next Film

Those of you lucky enough to catch the beautiful disaster of Glenn Danzig’s Verotika premiere at Cinepocalypse Film Festival, I am envious. Part of me thought the “so audaciously bad it’s transcendent” film would never see the light of day given how immediate reactions called Verotika the next The Room, but news now confirms Cleopatra Entertainment will grant the film a VOD release just in time for Halloween. In addition, there will be Fathom screenings in New York, San Francisco, Austin, and other markets. Then the film is expected to be available on DVD and Blu-ray by the end of the year. Praise be the cult cinema gods.

In other news, Danzig’s already plugging away at promoting his next movie. Apparently, it’s a vampire spaghetti western? Check out his comments:

My next film, which I’m hopefully starting this summer, is a vampire-spaghetti western. The soundtrack has been done for two years and of course it sounds almost exactly like an Ennio Morricone soundtrack. I think I’m actually going to do a small part in it too. Everybody in the movie is a vampire. So, you won’t have to wait around to see the vampire. They’re all f—ing vampires!”

Source: Deadline / EW

9. Paul Rudd Joins New ‘Ghostbusters’

Seems like I’m going to be writing about Jason Reitman’s new Ghostbusters sequel every week until it releases, but at least this update is a pretty substantial one. It’s confirmed that Paul Rudd has officially joined the cast in an undisclosed “strapping male” character. Early reports indicate his role may be that of a teacher? Check out Rudd’s announcement video tweet below.

Source: Variety

10. SYFY To Ride ‘Zombie Tidal Wave’

It’s being reported that SYFY is developing what the network hopes to be their next Sharknado, titled Zombie Tidal Wave. Ian Ziering will star in and produce the film, with Sharknado director Anthony C. Ferrante returning as well. Ziering stars as Hunter Shaw, a “rogue, veteran sailor” who “contends with the ocean-borne outbreak which threatens his seaside island community.” The film splashes down Aug. 17th and 18th. We can only hope it’s better than the purposeful so-bad-it’s-good franchise it hopes to replicate (reader, I despise the Sharknado movies).

Source: TheWrap

11. ‘American Horror Story: 1984’ Premieres This September

Fans of American Horror Story have a date to look forward to with the series’ new 80s slasher themed season now securing it’s premiere: Wednesday, September 18. I’ve quite behind myself, but promising slasher-inspired fun is one sure way to lure me back into the American Horror Story franchise.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

12. ‘Swamp Thing’ Movie Could Be In The Works

As you all know, DC Universe’s Swamp Thing was canceled after the show’s series premiere. Episodes are still airing on DC’s streaming platform, but that’s all she wrote. Unless, that is, we’re to believe Warner Brothers noticed all the post-axing fan protest and is now developing a Swamp Thing film? Consider this a rumor, but rumblings have leaked possible Swamp Thing movie plans with a totally different cast and creative team from the show. It wouldn’t be the worst idea since my reaction out of Overlook Film Festival, where the first two Swamp Thing episodes played, left me *loving* the horror elements that were being dragged down by procedural boredom. Cut a leaner, meaner Swamp Thing movie highlighting those elements? Different story.

Source: We Got This Covered

13. ‘Terrifier 2’ Crowdfunding More Than Doubles Ask, Promises Gory Epicness

I may be the midnight movie lover around these Atom Insider parts, but Terrifier isn’t for me. All massacre, no motivation. Looks like I’m alone in my opinion, since director Damien Leone’s sequel has crowdfunded over 200% of the initial goal ask. As a token of appreciation, Leone confirmed Art the Clown’s second slashening will up the deaths, carnage, and gross-out factor:

“Without beating around the bush, I wrote an EPIC scene in the screenplay for Terrifier 2 that we currently do not have enough money to shoot. Without spoiling all the juicy, gory details, the scene will involve mass casualties and the destruction of its location, BUT it is the context of the scene that truly makes it so original. We’re aiming to create a scene so shocking and iconic that people will talk about it for years to come. Imagine if Art the Clown was in charge of the prom mayhem in Carrie…meets David Lynch…meets Maniac….just sayin.”

Not my cup of tea, but practical effects lovers should give Terrifier a gander. If you’d like to contribute to Terrifier 2, the IndieGoGo was still running at the time of this writing

14. ‘Midsommar’ Earns Hard ‘R’ Rating

I stand by my Midsommar review and the notion that Ari Aster’s created a “fun” cult-centric Swedish vacation nightmare. It’s just…a bit gory is all. So gory, in fact, the MPAA has slapped a serious “R” rating on Aster’s sophomore feature. Expect the following:

● Disturbing ritualistic violence

● Grisly images

● Strong sexual content

● Graphic nudity

● Drug use

● Language

15. ‘Penny Dreadful: City Of Angels’ Adds Lorenza Izzo And More

Showtime’s Penny Dreadful follow-up has bolstered its cast yet again, headlined by my favorite Knock Knock psychopath Lorenza Izzo. She’ll play Santa Muerte, the Angel of Holy Death and sister of the charismatic demoness, Magda (Natalie Dormer). Also added are Adam Rodriguez (CSI: Miami) as Raul Vega, Thomas Kretschmann (Avengers: Age Of Ultron) as Richard Goss, Dominic Sherwood (Shadowhunters) as Kretschmann’s chauffeur, and bodyguard, and Ethan Peck (Star Trek: Discovery) as Herman Ackermann.

Source: Deadline

16. ‘Castle Freak’ Remake Announces Cast

Fangoria and Full Moon Features, who recently joined forces on Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich, team once again for another remake: Castle Freak. Award-winning SFX artist Tate Steinsiek will direct after impressing Fangoria on Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich and Satanic Panic. Fabio Frizzi has been tapped to provide an original score. Steinsiek’s cast includes newbie Clair Catherine, Jake Horowitz (The Vast of Night), Chris Galust (Give Me Liberty), and Kika Magalhães (The Eyes of My Mother). Plus Stuart Gordon and Barbara Crampton have given their blessings, with Crampton and Charles Band producing? I’m ready.

Source: Bloody Disgusting

17. Gary Dauberman’s ‘Salem’s Lot’ Will Be Scary

Thanks to the Conjurverse and It, Gary Dauberman is becoming a household name. One of his newest announced projects is an adaptation of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot, which could thrust him into horror’s inner sanctum depending on success. Dauberman’s excited about the challenge, saying this about making vampires scary again:

“I’m very, very excited to be a part of that and tackle it. It hasn’t had the big screen treatment yet, which is how I felt about It. It’s so fun to play around with vampires and make something truly scary with vampires. I haven’t seen that in a long, long time, and I’m excited for people to see it.”

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

18. Shudder Follows ‘Horror Noire: A History Of Black Horror’ With An LGBTQ+ Horror Documentary

As Shudder’s documentary Horror Noire: A History Of Black Horror exposed African American tokenization in horror over decades of misrepresentation, the streaming company has just announced they’ll be doing the same for the LGBTQ+ community. Sam Wineman has been asked to write and direct, said to “explore the complex, fascinating history of queer horror on film, through the works of pioneering queer creators like James Whale and Clive Barker.” Producers include Phil Nobile Jr. (Fangoria), Kelly Ryan (Stage 3) and Michael Varrati (Dead for Filth). All signs indicate it’ll be as essential as Horror Noire.

Source: Indiewire

And Now…This Week’s Horror Trailers!

STRANGER THINGS: SEASON 3

“We can end this!” Sure, maybe you can, but I don’t think Netflix would like that very much. In any case, catch the latest trailer for Stranger Things Season 3 as the town enters “Code Red.”

SCREAM: SEASON 3

The return of Ghostface! Scream Season 3 comes to VH1, and brings back the iconic mask.

NEKROTRONIC

Demons invade the internet, techno-savvy necromancers recruit a rookie, Monica Bellucci plays the villain, all from the team behind Wyrmwood: Road Of The Dead. I need it.

THE MERMAID: LAKE OF THE DEAD

The Mermaid: Lake Of The Dead may sound like a pretty generic title, but this trailer packs a chilly punch. I’m…interested?

ITSY BITSY

Terrified of spiders? Me too! You can skip over this spider-horror-heavy trailer then. Hope the rest of you like it.

MUTANT BLAST

How gory is this NSFW trailer? Well, it’s a Troma production. That should give you a hint.

CALLBACK

An aspiring actress gets more than she bargained for in this slasher.

DEAD WATER

It’s Casper Van Dien versus Judd Nelson is this boating thriller. My money’s on Van Dien!

A.M.I

Apparently, this movie is so terrifying it’ll make you never touch your phone again. In today’s society? Challenge.

DEADSIGHT

We previously shared the teaser for Deadsight, and now have the full trailer. Bein’ blind during a zombie(ish) outbreak ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.

THE FARM

Animal masks, ball gags, and human meat. Welcome to The Farm.

VAMPYRZ ON A BOAT

Do..do I need to explain anything else?

CAMP WEDDING 

“You booked a summer camp on AirBNB?” And that’s not even the weirdest aspect of this “horror comedy” trailer.

Missed last week’s Donato’s Dungeon? Click here to catch up.