"I have no idea whether anybody intends I will be involved in it, but I will do it again like a shot," he continues, "If it involved taking different beats with Pinhead, that would also be fine by me. I think there are lots of areas that we never looked and never went to. History is not on my side with remakes that don't intend to use original cast. You know, if it's going to happen, it's going to happen — and I wish it absolutely nothing but good, if I'm involved or not."

10.3.07
Bloody Disgusting scored some exclusive news that confirms that the Hellraiser remake, penned and produced by Clive Barker with Dimension Films, is still alive.  Two directors are in negotiations to helm the new film.  I know nothing about the duo, but perhaps you've seen some of their work.  In any case, if Clive Barker remains directly involved with the film, I remain optimistic.  Unlike John Carpenter on The Fog, who just 'walked in, said hello, and cashed a paycheck,' I know that Clive would not step back into the filmed Hellraiser franchise unless he had some definite creative control.  Considering his legal debacle over Hellraiser: Bloodline, I could only ever believe that.  In any case, here's the story from B-D themselves:

Out of all the news we've brought you over the past several years, this has got to be one of the best... Bloody-Disgusting learned exclusively that both Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury are in hard negotiations to helm the remake of Clive Barker's Hellraiser for Dimension Films! If you've been keeping up with us during TIFF, you'd know that we flipped over the duo's horror film, Inside (À l'intérieur; review), which the Weinstein's acquired in Cannes. Just wait until you see this movie, it's going to restore your faith in this remake. We'll keep you posted when the news becomes official.

9.17.07
Nothing new has surfaced about the supposed impending remake of Hellraiser, but you can revisit the original Clive Barker film in a semi-new 20th Anniversary Edition DVD.  DVDActive posted the specs and cover artwork earlier today.  The new disc hits retail shelves on October 23rd with a suggested retail price of $24.97, but I'm sure you'll be able to find it for under $20.  As a courtesy, here is a comparison of the specs of three different releases of the film from Anchor Bay/Starz Home Entertainment for those of you wondering if this new disc is worth buying.  As you'll see, there's nothing all that new, and still doesn't have all the features of the Anchor Bay UK release.

HELLRAISER: 20th Anniversary Edition
• Uncut Anamorphic Widescreen Transfer (1.78:1)
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1 Tracks
• Director/writer commentary with Clive Barker and Ashley Laurence (moderated by Screenwriter Peter Atkins)
• An Interview with composer Christopher Young
• Hellraiser Resurrection featurette
• An Interview with star Andrew Robinson
• Poster and still galleries
• An Interview with star Ashley Laurence
• Theatrical trailers
• TV spots
• Screenplays via DVD-ROM
Pre-Order @ DVDEmpire.com for $17.49

HELLRAISER: Region 1 Release
• Uncut Anamorphic Widescreen & Fullscreen Presentations (1.78:1)
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 Track
• Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Clive Barker and Star Ashley Laurence (moderated by Writer Peter Atkins)
• Resurrection featurette
• Theatrical Trailer
• Still Gallery
• THX Certified

HELLRAISER: Region 2 Lament Configuration Box Set Release
• Uncut Widescreen Presentation (1.78:1) Enhanced for 16:9 TVs
• Stereo 2.0 Soundtrack
• Optional 5.1 Soundtrack
• DTS Soundtrack
• Audio Commentary 1: Writer/Director Clive Barker
• Audio Commentary 2: Writer/Director Clive Barker and Star Ashley Laurence
• Featurette 1: Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellraiser
• Featurette 2: Resurrection
• Featurette 3: On-Set Interview with Clive Barker
• Hellraiser Merchandising Promo (Watch and Wear)
• Theatrical Trailers x 4
• TV Spots x 5
• Storyboards
• Scripts x 2 (as .pdf Files)
• Poster and Stills Gallery
• Optional English Subtitles for the Hard of Hearing

10.20.06
Another remake?  Of the twelve film franchises we cover, six of them have already had a remake, are being remade, or have had serious talk of a remake.  Hollywood is creatively bankrupt indeed.  Hellraiser is now the latest of the bunch, but Clive Barker will be involved.  From his official website he states that the Weinsteins have proposed to him of writing and producing a remake of the film he wrote and directed nearly 20 years ago.  Still, Dimension Films have a notorious history of screwing over Clive Barker, and I will remain skeptical over how much creative control they'll give him.  Barker himself is even aware of that reality.  Here's what the man himself reported:

"I just want to have five minutes to bring you up to date on the Hellraiser situation, so that we don’t surprise anybody!  They’re going to remake Hellraiser One with a lot more money and they’ve invited me to write it ? the invitation came from Bob Weinstein ? which I am going to do, on the basis that if I don’t do it, it will be done in some way that I probably won’t like!  It’s only that one that I really, really, really care about in terms of its remake value - and it’ll be kind of fun to have the extra money to do the effects and all that cool stuff.  So it puts me in the situation of writing both the beginning and the end of Pinhead at the same time ? ‘In my end is my beginning...’ I’m not in the middle, as it were, I’m leaving out his middle age, I’m just dealing with his beginning and his end.  I’m excited about it - actually it’ll be kinda cool to revisit it once and see if there are things we can do to it which will make it significantly better.  I wouldn’t wish to direct ? I only want to write and be a part of the producing team.  I wouldn’t want to revisit something that I did as a director, something that I did all those years ago: that would be too, in a way, painful - not painful but weird, difficult, strange...  I am very happy at the idea of having some more money for the cool stuff ? I don’t know how much more money, but it’s got to be more than the $900,000 that we had the first time!"

8.8.06
Apparently, from sources at The Hellbound Web forum, the new Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth DVD does not include advertised features.  There are no extended or deleted scenes.  DavisDVD reported that a Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track was to be included, but where I got my original information, DVDActive, only a Dolby 2.0 track was ever announced.  What is still included are the theatrical trailer and the Clive Barker: The Art of Horror featurette.  The back cover artwork that was released was incorrect, but the actual back cover on the released DVD has the proper specs.  Sorry to anyone that was looking forward to that unrated footage, and a full 5.1 audio track.  Still, the released DVD has more features on it than Hellraiser: Bloodline (which has more deleted footage than you could imagine).

5.14.06
Good news!  Despite initial reports, Paramount will include some decent extras on the DVD release of Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth.DavisDVD states that the August 8th release will include fifteen minutes of previously unreleased and unrated deleted scenes, "Clive Barker's The Art of Horror" featurette, and two theatrical trailers.  The film itself will be presented with an anamorphic widescreen transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio.  This essentially puts the release just about on-par with Anchor Bay's releases of the first two Hellraiser films (an audio commentary would make it a perfect one).  For the record, I do believe Anchor Bay UK released HR3 with audio commentary from director Anthony Hickox, but signing away such a license would be costly and potentially impossible.  But whatever the case, for $14.99, this is a seriously great deal over a lot of Paramount bare bones releases, and even Dimension's own DTV releases (which cost up to $29.95).  You can pre-order this release at DVDEmpire for only $9.18!  You really can't ask for a better deal than that!

4.19.06
U.S. Hellraiser fans rejoice - your Region 1 DVD collection can now be completed come August 8th, 2006!  DVDActive reports that Paramount Home Entertainment has announced the release of Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth!  Unfortunately, only the theatrical R-rated cut will be released instead of the uncut version previously available on VHS.  Though, the film will be presented in anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround.  No extras have been announced, as on per for their bare bones releases.  Still, this will be the second release in Region 1.  The previous version was a full-screen edition with a poor transfer, and released rather scarcely by another company (possibly Canadian).  In any case, this DVD will retail for $14.99.  Check out the cover art below.
HELLRAISER3_DVD.JPG

3.27.06
Clive Barker's official website has posted a nice interview with the man himself where he speaks on several things.  Among them are plans for season two of ShowTime's Masters of Horror series and his much talked about "Death of Pinhead" novel where the Hellraiser icon meets Harry D'Amour (who was portrayed by Scott Bakula in Lord of Illusions).  You can check out the interview right here.

2.21.06
News from the NECA collectibles front, courtesy of Bloody-Disgusting:

Today NECA released the first image of their upcoming Medieval Ash figure from the cult fav Army of Darkness. The figure is a work in progress and yet it still looks incredible. In addition, there are also some sculpted pics from their Seed of Chucky set, which includes the amulet (finally)! Read on for your look at the new Ash. In addition, Figures.com reports that fans of Hellraiser will be delighted to know that the figure line isn't over yet. An Engineer Box Set is still slated for release in conjunction with a future Cult Classics series. While set contents are not concrete, NECA HOPES to pack Kirsty and the hospital room/hallway into the release. They also plan on having it connect to their recently released Hellraiser Lair. No further plans for Hellraiser gang, but NECA did assure that Clive Barker's Scarlet Gospels will see figure form... whenever the novel is completed. Also watch for an 18 inch New Nightmare Freddy with sound and interchangable heads... 
MEDIEVAL_ASH.JPG

9.10.04
The Horror Channel conducted an interview with series star Doug Bradley recently.  He discussed everything from the two forth coming sequels, his work on the next two PROPHECY sequels, Clive Barker, and other bits and pieces.  Bradley himself is unaware of the delay in releasing DEADER and HELLWORLD, and seems kind of annoyed that neither has been released yet (they were both shot back-to-back nearly two years ago).  From what I've heard, a dispute with the distributors is what is causing the delays now, but even that report was prone to uncertainty.

7.21.04
Anchor Bay UK is set to release the first three HELLRAISER's on DVD in one Lament Configuration box set on September 13th.  All three films seem to be well represented, and any Hellraiser fan would be ecstatic with the features on HELL ON EARTH (including audio commentary by Doug Bradley and director Anthony Hickox along with multiple featurettes)  All three films are presentated uncut and in anamorphic widescreen with DTS, Dolby Digital 2.0 & 5.1 soundtracks.  States side, I believe the home video distribution rights to HELLRAISER III are still in the hands of Paramount, and they have not cared to visit this film for DVD.  This UK box set will also feature a fourth bonus disc with materials that are more Clive Barker related than Hellraiser related.

10.31.03
No better day for updates from the realm horror, huh?  NECA has announced that the world is going to HELL!  NECA will be unleashing 2500 copies of the Lament Configuration to the world.  The wooden box will be a three inch cube, and an exact replica of the prop used in every single "HELLRAISER" film to-date!  We even have a promotional image of the collectible piece (hit the link below).  This will be a cherished prize for any fan of the films, and all I have to ask is "What is your pleasure, sir?"
HRBOXSHEET.JPG

3.11.03
AWESOME NEWS!  Or best referred to as a rumor until real confirmation comes around, but anyway, this is really kick ass, if true.  Now, we all know that hot b-movie actress, Kari Wurher, is starring in the very next "Hellraiser" sequel, "Deader", but who's gonna be in the following film, "Deadworld" (or "Hellworld" to some)?  Well, Moviehole has stated that none other than Mr. Lance Henriksen will star in the direct-to-video feature.  Henriksen has starred in such classics as "The Terminator", "Aliens", "Pumpkinhead", "Near Dark", and far more than I can list here.  If this turns out to be true, then the eighth installment in the Hellraiser legacy will be one to TRULY see!  Moviehole also states that Wurher will also star in "Dead/Hellworld".  Though, still no video release dates have been confirmed for either sequel, but the IMDb has a date of October 19th, 2004 (!) on the "Hellraiser: Deader" page.  Of course, we know how much weight to put into info from the IMDb.  Plus, according to Doug Bradley they've already finished filming "Deader", and there's not a reason in the world why it would take another year and a half for it to be released!

1.26.03
Action-Figure.com has posted up a series of pics for the 18" Pinhead statue which features a motion sensor-activated speech chip featuring Doug Bradley's own voice.  They are surprised at the clearity of speech as this is merely a prototype.  Also, this thing will fit right next to your McFarlane Toys 18" Movie Maniacs because this figure looks ALL the detail you could wish for and MORE!  Check out those pics!

1.13.03
Well, the next two installments in the HELLRAISER direct-to-video series have been completed.  Doug Bradley hit the FX Convention in Orlando, Florida this past weekend (and thereby missing the FANGORIA Weekend of Horrors).  Bradley stopped by Real Radio 104.1 to talk with the 'Monster of the Mid-day'.  He talked rather casually about himself, the series, Pinhead, and whatever else was on their minds.  Doug spoke highly of the new line of Hellraiser action figures, and made it clear that it was not a McFarland Toys product, but that of NECA who "got all of McFarland's good artists".  Bradley stated that he was proud of the prototypes he had seen just the other night.  You can view a special three pack from Marz Distribution here (which will be limited to 10,000 units come this May), and a collage of pics from AmokTime's toy catalog here.

In regards to reaching film number EIGHT, Bradley emailed Robert Englund saying that he had caught up to him (as "FREDDY vs. JASON" will be the eighth Freddy film).  He went onto stated some opinions on the franchise so far.  He stated that the original HELLRAISER was still his favorite & INFERNO was the weakest by far.  As for "DEADER" & "DEADWORLD"?  Mr. Bradley says that "DEADER" has 'impressive potential, and that the eighth fim will be interesting to see how fans like it.  The Mosters of the Mid-day said, "he seemed to think it could go either way."  My thoughts?  Perhaps Bradley hasn't seen the FINAL versions, yet.  Or, more likely, that the stories for both films aren't your usual HELLRAISER fare, and thus, could go either way with fans.  I won't defend what I haven't seen, and so, we will just have to wait around to see them.  NO video release dates have been announced, but rest assured that we'll let you know once we find out.  Oh, and Bradley said that despite both films being filmed back-to-back (to which we had no knowledge of until now), they are completely separate films.

1.09.03
First, casting news.  Though this news dates back in FANGORIA.com's archive to October, it's new to us.  Kari Wuhrer (SLIDERS) has signed on as the lead in this seventh installment which has possibly finished shooting by now (they started in October).  The director of "HELLRAISER: HELLSEEKER", Rick Bota, returns to direct "HELLRAISER: DEADER" (and possibly even a third time for the tenatively titled "HELLRAISER: DEADWORLD").  Now, Pinhead himself, Doug Bradley, describes the plot of "DEADWORLD" as such:

"Five edge-type friends obsessed with Hellworld.com, a computer game, are invited by 'invitation ony' to a party to play the real game and go into the of HELLRAISER."

The villian, the host of the game, is described as a "50-60ish-classic William Castle villian...the Vincent Price of the movie.  He is creepy, but charming, an artistocrat masquerade hiding evil intent."  The 19 year old heroine, Chelsea, is described as the "absolutely beautiful and sexy leader of the pack, [who's] always calm, cool, and collected, even in the worst nightmare situation."

At the time, Bradley was only taking another look over the script for "DEADER", making notes on it, feeling optimistic with Rick Bota helming the franchise now.  He praised his creativity & openness to the ideas of others while they were filming "HELLSEEKER".  Also, Bradley was happy that he was allowed to take a pass on Pinhead's dialogue (fine-tuning it somewhat, I would guess).

9.13.02
The sixth film in the Hellraiser series is set for a direct-to-video release on October 22nd, and is entitled "HELLRAISER: HELLSEEKER".  Pinhead is reported to have only around 15 minutes of screen time which is only slightly more than the previous, lackluster installment, "HELLRAISER: INFERNO".  It will also mark the return of Ashley Laurence as Kirsty Cotton, but for only about 10 minutes as Kirsty's husband, Trevor, is the main character here.  The plot is about as confusing as "INFERNO", a faceless stranger, Trevor is an accussed murderer, strange appearing & disappearing visions, and well, just some big puzzle with possible surprise ending.  I hope for the best from this one, but it being another direct-to-video deal, I can't help but feel that it's not going to be one of the better sequels.  I've read one positive & one negative review from DarkHorizons.com.  Without Clive Barker, it's seems as if the series has lost a lot of the edge it used to have.  Sure, the gore is still there, but everything else is just less than intriguing.  Although, it seems, from what I've read in the positive review, that Barker sees this as the best since "HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER 2" (not that there's any tough competition among the post-"HELLBOUND" sequels).  Anyway, it will be avaliable on VHS & DVD come October 11th from Dimension Films.