Following Bloody Disgusting’s exclusive scoop on a sequel to the 1987 cult classic Spookies earlier this year, writer-producer Frank Farel has provided us with a new update on the film.
Titled Spookies II: Spookier, an outline for the follow-up was first penned by Spookies writer-director-producer Thomas Doran.
“Despite its still relative obscurity and in the face of our major issues with the final cut-and-paste product, we realized that a sequel to our ’80s debacle, an existing movie, was likely to be our most direct path to getting a new project funded and made. Tom’s feelings on this ran hot and cold for years until he abruptly committed ideas to paper,” Farel explains.
“I eagerly read the 10 or so loosely organized pages, radically different in tone and scope — and loved them!
“Always a brilliant story man, Tom’s concept utilized elements of the original — all the horror prerequisites, of course — to springboard to a thoughtful, high-stakes storyline that actually mattered, characters that engaged, some of the most unique and original high-concept monsters I’d ever imagined, and an attitude of irreverence toward the first movie I felt was hilarious and packed with potential.”
Doran’s death in 2016 halted the sequel’s development, but Farel was inspired to revisit the idea after Vinegar Syndrome’s Spookies Blu-ray restoration introduced the film to a new audience in 2020.
“I completed a Spookies II script draft in the more thoughtful, personally crafted vein of material [Doran and I] were turning out, together and separately, before and after the constricting circumstances of Spookies. Myself and especially Tom — always a tough audience — were the primary ones I had to please.
“I became convinced I really had something solid; equal parts fast-paced horror, comedy, and action. Feedback from other writers and filmmakers bolstered that confidence and set me off again on a well-traveled, usually harrowing path: let’s make a movie!”
The first people Farel approached were special effects artists Gabriel Bartalos (Leprechaun, Frankenhooker) and Vincent J. Guastini (Dogma, Requiem for a Dream), who worked on Spookies earlier in their careers. They each agreed to return for the sequel as special creature and makeup effects designers in addition to serving as co-producers.
“Both voiced their enthusiasm and committed immediately,” says Farel. “I am utterly thrilled to be working with them again and am committed to making this movie as exciting, imaginative, funny and entertaining as humanly possible!”
Spookies II: Spookier is currently exploring funding options. Stay tuned for more updates.
‘Spookies’