Twilight isn’t the only vampire movie bloodthirsty fans have to look forward to this year. DreamWorks is preparing to release Fright Night late this upcoming August. The film is a modern remake of the 1985 horror classic with a contemporary spin, a hip new cast, and a talented director/screenwriter combo. Working Author was lucky enough to drop in on the cast and crew of Fright Night as they answered press questions at this year’s San Diego Comic Con.
Headlining the press event were stars Colin Farrell (Crazy Heart, In Bruges), Anton Yelchin (Star Trek), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad), Imogen Poots (28 Weeks Later), Chris Sarandon (the original Fright Night), screenwriter Marti Noxon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel) and director Craig Gillespie (Fright Night). It’s really a great group of rising stars and established talent, and they were all excited to talk about the film.
When asked what he planned about his portrayal of the evil vampire Jerry Dandridge, Colin Farrell was eager to share. “My guy would be nothing without fear that he instills in people. Somebody who treats humans like playthings, not just for sustenance but playthings. I got the chance to play a brutal vampire, someone who was not concerned with anything… no human virtues that would be recognizable at all.”
Chris Sarandon shared his enthusiasm about the success of updating his classic and how they did it successfully as well, “… They figured out how to make it contemporary and at the same time make it enough of an homage that fans of the original movie would appreciate it and at the same time it would take them on a different kind of ride. I think that’s what this movie does.”
The younger stars had much to add as well. “I tried to bring the most honest thing to this sort of trajectory… for me it was balancing what we wanted and tried to accomplish,” added star Anton Yelchin. It’s clear that the cast is extremely proud of the film and the job each of them did, both in themselves and each other.
“I think Colin did a fantastic job of bringing back the original one vampire. He’s kind of sexy, kind of charming, but he’s pure evil,” chimed in Christopher Mintz-Plasse. It was a point which all of the cast and crew enthusiastically agreed on.
Fortunately for fans of the original, the talented cast and crew have the right kind of mindset about remaking the original. With the self-aware attitude and a genuine desire to do justice to the story, rather than cash in on a remake, Fright Night is showing some real potential. Audiences who remember the original classic or are just looking for some new horror to sink their teeth into would do well to keep an eye on Fright Night.
Fright Night will be released in 3-D in theaters everywhere on August 19, 2011.