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THE quintessential zombie flick is won’t stay dead! According to Bloody Disgusting, indie film company CineTel Films plans on remaking Night of the Living Dead with Vivica A. Fox as the lead. Fox would be stepping into a legacy role with past versions anchored by the likes of Duane Jones and Tony Todd. The Kill Bill actress is no stranger to horror, as some fans may recognize her as a staple of the campy Sharknado franchise. CineTel’s description for the new take on George A. Romero’s classic reads, “Amidst a worldwide event where the dead awake and roam the earth as zombies, a small group of human survivors struggle to stay alive and fight off the wandering zombies who are intent on eating them and turning them into the Walking Dead.” NOTL has a long history of remakes, largely due to the title belonging in the public domain. Christopher Ray is set to direct and development begins in 2021. One of the main reasons for the movie’s lasting impact was the time period in which it was released with star Duane Jones. What changes would make it poignant today?

Another wicked surprise release serves as a reminder that Halloween can still be enjoyed at home. HBO Max started October with a massive announcement: The Witches is debuting on October 28th. Blackish creator Kenya Barris and Oscar Winner Guillermo Del Toro teamed up to write this fresh take on Roald Dahl’s classic. Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, Chris Rock, and Stanley Tucci star in the newest adaptation, which was scheduled for theatrical release on October 2nd. With COVID-19 conditions preventing theatres from re-opening in Los Angeles and New York, Warner Bros. is now using HBO Max to release the anticipated film. Visionary Robert Zemeckis is taking the director’s reins on this one. Check out the trailer below to enjoy its whimsical, campy tone.

The Black Flame Candle must be lit because the Sanderson sisters are back! Star Bette Midler announced an upcoming Hocus Pocus reunion with co-stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. These whimsical witches are returning for Midler’s virtual fundraiser, In Search of the Sanderson Sisters: A Hocus Pocus Hulaween Takeover on October 30th. None other than the “Queen of Halloween” herself, Elvira, will take on hosting duties. All proceeds will benefit the New York Restoration Project. “There will definitely be music,” teased Midler. We can’t be the only fans waiting for an encore performance of  “I Put a Spell on You.” Guest stars include Beetlejuice star Alex Brightman, Jennifer Hudson, George Lopez, Meryl Streep, Jamie Lee Curtis, and more. Amid promotion of the virtual fundraiser, Midler pleased our Halloween hearts by  confirming that the original cast will be involved in Disney+’s upcoming Hocus Pocus sequel. Polish off those brooms and get your tickets for the reunion here starting at $10 per person.

In the new year, we hope to come together to produce a live event to connect our community. But first, please remember that we all need to do our part to protect ourselves and each other: wear a mask and stay inside.

In Hollywood, Marvel Studios is where THE money resides (where the money resides, where the money resides…), so when they greenlight genre projects like the newest telling of Blade - its a huge deal. Two years ago, Marvel made headlines after announcing the casting of Mahershala Ali as the vampire hero made famous on screen by Wesley Snipes in the early 2000s. Now, even more excitement is stirring with the announcement of Stacy Osei-Kuffour as the head writer of the film. Stacy’s writing credits include the critical darling Watchmen, which starred Regina King last year. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Osei-Kuffour has also had a hand in She’s making history as the first Black female writer for a Marvel film. The MCU recently added upcoming Candyman director Nia DaCosta as their first Black woman director. Blade, the Vampire Slayer follows the story of a human-vampire hybrid who uses his unique powers to rid the world of blood-sucking vampires. Sony is also dipping their toes in horror imagery from Marvel comics with the 2022 film Morbius (another vampire to be played by Jared Leto.)

Today is Teacher Appreciation Day, so here’s to the teachers in Horror that deal with hormonal teenagers, paranormal entities, homicidal strangers, and more. Here’s a rundown of just 3 of our faves. 1. Lin Shaye - Nightmare on Elm Street Miss Shaye has been gracing Horror screens for decades...and there’s no letting up! This role catapulted her onto the scream scene. Audiences of today, however, most probably recognize her as Elaine from Insidious. 2. Lupita Nyong’o - Little Monsters What’s the sensible thing for a prestigious actress to do after winning an academy award? Jump straight into Horror (duh.) Lupita’s turn as a kindergarten teacher amid zombie shenanigans is particularly amusing. 3. Henry Winkler - Scream Oh Principal Himbry, you never stood a chance against Ghostface. At least you gave us some laughs before you dipped. On a more serious note, we salute actual professors like Dr. Tananarive Due, Ashlee Blackwell, and Dr. Robin Coleman, who spread knowledge and insight on Black Horror. We couldn’t be prouder students. We salute you all with a shiny, red apple (with a dead worm in it, of course.)

Hide the water, because Gizmo is back...sort of. The famous furry friend has had a big year with his own Gremlins-themed commercial for Mountain Dew alongside Zach Galligan. In the ad, we even get a glimpse of Billy’s daughter carrying a Gremlin of her own. Watch the full ad below: Thanks to the success of the ad, Mountain Dew has announced the release of a limited-edition collectible Gizmo doll. Gremlins fans better save up, because the doll’s retail price is set at $300.00. Online, fan reactions have varied, with many pointing out how strange it is to see the Mountain Dew logo printed directly on Gizmo’s right ear. The doll’s left ear has writing that says, “As Good as The Original, Maybe Even Better.” Check out some photos this newest Gizmo rendition below: Next up, we’ll be seeing an animated Gremlins series hit HBO Max, led by showrunner Tze Chun.

Director Justin Simien will be spending time with some familiar grim, grinning ghosts. The Dear White People filmmaker is in final negotiations to helm a Haunted Mansion movie based on the iconic Disneyland ride (according to Deadline.) This would mark Simien’s second entry into supernatural fare after last year’s Bad Hair debuted on Hulu. For many, this famed ride is the first haunted house they will ever experience. It’s been almost 20 years since the last adaptation of the classic attraction - 2003’s Haunted Mansion starring Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Tilly. Disney fans might recall that Guillermo Del Toro had his own adaptation in development for years, with the Shape of Water director going so far as revealing concept art at D23 (Disney’s own comic-con style convention.) With the amount of musicians in Bad Hair, here’s hoping that we get some wicked music for the film, a la Raven Symone’s “Superstition” cover. Who’s on your ideal Haunted Mansion soundtrack?

Drake is about to have us all in our feelings, but this time, the feeling is fear. That’s right, October’s Very Own is bringing his touch to a new Horror film. While Drake may be new to Horror, his producer credits are quite a flex considering his work on HBO’s Euphoria. In fact Euphoria producer Adel Nur will be working on this foray into Horror as well. Fellow Canadian Petra Collins, a breakout star in fashion and music film and photography, is set to make her directorial debut with this project. Titled Spiral (a bit familiar, right?), this feature follows an influencer whose body begins to break down amid social media withdrawals. Spiral is the brainchild of author Melissa Broder. The cherry-on-top for this superstar team is Selena Gomez, who is attached to star in Spiral. Collins and Gomez previously collaborated on visuals for Gomez’s song, “Fetish.” Deadline speculates that Spiral could potentially gain a lot of attention as it is shopped to streaming companies. Here’s hoping Drake and Horror are a match made in Hip-Hop Horror heaven.

Whether she’s sewing in killer weaves or doing the Time Warp, Miss Lavrene Cox is a whole versatile icon and activist. It’s surprising then, that a studio as large as Universal would allow for the star to be misgendered in an international dubbing of Promising Young Woman. That’s right, Universal Pictures cast male actors to dub over Laverne’s role for the film’s Italian, German, and Spanish releases. There’s a severe lack of Trans representation in the mainstream media outside of Laverne and a few others, so it’s no wonder the studio faced the receiving end of brutal but deserved backlash for this glaring oversight. One thing that’s become increasingly evident in this social media age is that applying public pressure on private corporations sometimes works. This case was a prime example as public backlash triggered an apology from Universal Pictures International (that seemed to dodge full accountability.) It reads: “We are deeply grateful to Laverne and the transgender community for opening our eyes to a bias that neither we nor many in our industry had recognised. While there was no malicious intent behind this mistake, we are working diligently to fix it. We have begun redubbing Ms Cox’s voice with female actors in our international territories and are pushing back release dates to ensure the correct version is available. We are sorry for the pain caused but are thankful that we can address the situation on this film and prevent similar mistakes from happening again on future projects.” So, okay...no malicious intent. But, as AV Club points out, there was intent. While the damage has been done with the Spanish release having been out for almost a month now, at least no further versions with male dubbing will see any release. Here’s hoping there other studios are taking notes of what not to do.

Trailblazer Billy Porter has conquered television and Broadway, collecting accolades and challenging gender norms along the way. Whether he’s outshing icons on red carpets or butting heads with Emma Roberts, Porter’s reach surpasses quantification. He first dipped into Horror with his role in American Horror Story: Apocalypse, the season that delighted fans with a Murder House and Coven mash-up. 2020 saw the actor appear in Jordan Peele’s Twilight Zone reboot. Billy used his recent cover story on The Hollywood Reporter to reveal a personal HIV-positive diagnosis that he had kept hidden for 14 years. “HIV-positive, where I come from...with a very religious family, is God’s punishment,” the entertainer shared. “I was trying to have a life and a career, and I wasn’t certain I could if the wrong people knew. It would just be another way for people to discriminate against me in an already discriminatory profession.” Billy claims his diagnosis, along with past struggles, helped fuel later success, stating, ”My trauma served me, my story has served me, in terms of forward motion.” Porter’s public revelation shines a light on a taboo topic in Hollywood. His current role on FX’s Pose reflects much of his own narrative, including his HIV status. According to the Center for Disease Control, racial and ethnic disparities continue to exist in HIV diagnosis rates. Black and Latino men have a much higher rate than their counterparts. Porter’s command of the public eye and spotlight reclaims the perception of what it's like to live and thrive with HIV. The future is bright and wide open for Billy Porter. Next up, he’ll play Fairy Godmother to Camilla Cabello’s Cinderella, as well as Audrey II in the remake of Little Shop of Horrors.

The Boogeyman is back in the burned flesh. Universal just released the latest trailer for Halloween Kills, which reveals the (expected) fate of Michael Myers after the events of 2018’s Halloween. The teaser begins with the very flames that engulfed Michael the last time we saw him. Legendary scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis once again takes charge as the methodical matriarch of her own family of “final girls.” Curtis is a second-generation Horror icon herself thanks to her mother / Psycho star Janet Leigh. Judy Greer, no stranger to Horror either (Into the Dark, The Village, Room 104) also makes her return as Laurie Strode’s daughter. Of course, it wouldn’t truly be Halloween without Nick Castle as the “essence of evil” himself - Michael Myers. Original Halloween filmmaker John Carpenter also continues his involvement with the franchise as a screenwriter and producer. This project is yet another release that was pushed back due to the pandemic, with a trilogy-ending follow-up already planned for release next year (with the aptly titled Halloween Ends). What do you think of the new trailer? Is it more trick or treat? Check it out below and decide for yourself.

Comedian Robin Thede has had us dying with laughter for years, and her latest Horror project is only going to keep the killing coming. Best known for creating, writing, and starring in the Emmy-nominated series A Black Lady Sketch Show, Thede is developing a new Horror-Comedy: Killing It. Amazon Studios (Little Marvin’s Them) greenlit the film in late April. In addition to penning the script, the comedy star will also be producing. According to Variety, the film will follow a group of underachievers at Spelman College dealing with a zombie outbreak in Atlanta, GA. Thede has toyed with Horror themes on ABLSS in the past, incorporating supernatural and macabre elements into sketches. Last year, she even had a role in Justin Simien’s Bad Hair for Hulu. Considering Thede’s breadth of collaborators (Issa Rae, Quinta Brunson, Kelly Rowland, etc,) who would you most like to see appear in this movie?

Hollywood, 2021 - Amid the glitz and glitter of an industry where established IPs rule, Disney is looking to adapt one of their most mature experiences into a major motion picture. For decades, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror has dropped Disney park guests down a terrifying 13 stories. Now, that thrilling experience is getting a Hollywood treatment all its own with controversial producer Scarlett Johansson (Eight Legged Freaks, Under the Skin) attached. According to Collider, the Black Widow actress is set to star as well. Johansson made headlines over the years for controversial casting when she, a cis white actress, accepted POC and transgender roles. Her vocal support of alleged pedophile Woody Allen has also garnered backlash online. Another creative confirmed is Inside Out writer Josh Cooley, who will be tackling the script. Might this choice be an indicator of more tame visuals? At the heart of the original attraction is the story of a group of Hollywood elite who board an elevator that disappears into the famed fifth dimension. A beloved pre-show video in the style of a classic Rod Serling Twilight Zone introduction greets guests upon entry. Gremlins filmmaker Joe Dante directed these black-and-white visuals back in the early 90s. In 1997, a young Kirsten Dunst starred in a made-for-tv adaptation based on the ride that filmed at Disney’s MGM Studios. Check in to memory lane by watching the throwback trailer below:

A second trailer just dropped for Nia DaCosta’s Candyman, and it looks like we’re in for a sweet August. What’s most surprising about the newest trailer is the reinvention of the famed slasher’s mythology. Director Nia DaCosta is telling Candyman’s origins in a modern tale involving police brutality this time around; a fact that had been teased in a shadow puppet visual last year. Horror fans lit the internet abuzz with avid discourse recently over the topic of Black trauma. Many have criticized narratives ripped from headlines and portrayed on-screen as being exploitative rather than redemptive. Little Marvin’s Them and the trailer for Karen only amplified that discussion by tackling racism in overt ways. It’s important to note that Candyman and Them went into production well before the height of the George Floyd protests last year. Get Out and Us filmmaker Jordan Peele co-wrote this screenplay and is producing, so it’s easy to be optimistic for a more nuanced take compared to its criticized counterparts. While there’s no sight (yet) of the legendary Tony Todd, this reboot has its own chilling voice in the form of Euphoria / Zola star Colman Domingo. Returning actress Vanessa Williams is only one part of a spectacular cast that includes Aquaman’s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Wandavision’s Teyonah Parris. Enjoy the full trailer for yourself below and hook yourself into a theater seat on August 27th.

Cancel that road trip because HBO is closing the borders on Lovecraft Country. After just one season, HBO announced the cancellation of Misha Green’s polarizing adaption of the novel of the same name with the following statement: “We will not be moving forward with a second season of ‘Lovecraft Country.’ We are grateful for the dedication and artistry of the gifted cast and crew, and to Misha Green, who crafted this groundbreaking series. And to the fans, thank you for joining us on this journey.” The show served as the crown jewel of pandemic entertainment for many Horror and Sci-Fi fans. Critical praise enveloped it’s debut last year. Lovecraft Country is an extraordinary piece of television, thriving in its unique intersections. Monkeypaw Productions’ concept was ambitious from the get-go: transform a white, racist author’s impactful mythology into a rich, episodic saga with an almost entirely Black cast. For the most part, it worked beautifully. Explorations of Black femininity, Afro-futurism, and creature Horror made for a novel experience. Upon HBO’s announcement, Green took to Twitter to share a preview of what season two would have looked like, revealing the title Lovecraft Country: Supremacy. She went on to tease the involvement of zombies. ZOMBIES! Regardless of the network decision, Lovecraft Country’s legacy is beyond solidified. Aspiring writers and all-around fans can find the episode scripts on Misha Green's website. Green is currently working on the latest Tomb Raider reboot. Standout performances from Jurnee Smollett, Wunmi Mosaku, Michael K. Williams, Aunjanue Ellis are sure to be remembered for years to come. This series set a bar that transcends genre and reminds us all that television is powerful.

Critics can’t get enough of Misha Green’s newest nightmare. Lovecraft Country, a fantastical horror series, is set to debut with an elusive 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. After 57 rave reviews from top critics, Rotten Tomatoes posted a consensus that reads, “Anchored by Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Jonathan Majors' heroic performances, Misha Green's Lovecraft Country is a thrilling take on Lovecraftian lore that proves the Elder Gods aren't the only thing that goes bump in the cosmos.” Misha Green, the Sons of Anarchy and Heroes writer, developed the series with Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions, and Warner Bros. Television. The show, based on the Matt Ruff novel of the same name, explores themes of racism during the Jim Crow era while infusing H.P. Lovecraft’s signature horror imagery. Audiences will get to experience Lovecraft Country’s debut August 16th on HBO.

The wait for Janelle Monáe’s horror debut is almost over. Due to COVID-19 related theater closures, horror fare like A Quiet Place Part II and Halloween Kills have already seen lengthy delays. However, audiences can expect to get their thrills and chills at home when Antebellum releases on VOD (video-on-demand) September 18th. “As we face the realities of systemic racism in our country, which have crescendoed to this current inflection point in 2020, we understand how imperative it is to bring ‘Antebellum’ to the broadest audience possible, while also prioritizing health and safety. It is our ardent hope that by sharing our film widely, both nationally and internationally, we will transform the moviegoing experience from home into a true event," co-directors Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz said in a joint statement. The Lionsgate feature will be available to rent for $19.99, while still showing in some international theaters. Given Janelle Monáe’s track record of award-winning films, Antebellum is one to watch for.

Disney is finding new ways to serve people with disabilities just in time for the Halloween season. The massive conglomerate recently unveiled their own line of adaptive costumes for fans of all ages. These designs include two themed wheelchair covers available as Cinderella’s Coach and the Incredibles 2 Incredimobile. Both are custom fit for 24-inch manual wheelchairs with pricing starting at $50. Disney aficionados can find matching Incredibles and Cinderella costumes with roomier leg fabric and back openings to make changing easier. Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear costume is also available in this design. It’s worth noting that creative parents have been making DIY Cinderella Halloween wheelchair covers for years. Here’s hoping Disney will expand the line to include more characters.

Halloween isn’t canceled, it just got more creative. Social distancing practices across the country have forced seasonal attractions to reimagine their experiences. In Southern California, one popular alternative is changing traditional haunted houses / mazes into drive-through experiences. Los Angeles Haunted Hayride not only made this adjustment, but also changed locations to Bonelli Park in San Dimas, CA. Urban Legends Haunt in Costa Mesa is a new entry in the horror scene promising “immersive and terrifying sets.” Speaking of new blood, even Netflix’s Stranger Things is joining in on the action with their own “Drive-Into” experience in Downtown Los Angeles. Stranger Things’ event has the widest range of event dates stretching all the way to late February. Those looking for family-friendly Halloween can visit Haunt-O-Ween in LA for drive-along pumpkin picking and trick ‘r treating. Pricing is also changing this year, as these attractions are charging per car instead of per person. Horror fiends can expect to pay at least around $50 per experience, so fill up that car with your quarantined household! We’re hoping to see diverse stories, performers, and creatives behind-the-scenes at each of these Halloween extravaganzas.