MGM Brings '1000 Corpses' Alive

[Thursday, June 6th, 2002]
"The House of 1000 Corpses" may live again, with MGM in talks to pick up the horror picture that writer-director Rob Zombie was forced to buy back after horrified Universal executives refused to release it, reports Variety.

Zombie let slip news of the negotiations, which MGM confirmed, while interviewing Ben Affleck for MTV's "Movie House" show.

"MGM is going to put it out," Zombie said during the taping. "Apparently, they have no morals over there. They're happy for some blood."

The picture originally was slated for release last summer, but Universal backed out of the project after studio president Stacey Snider viewed a rough cut. She called it a "significant accomplishment" for Zombie, but said then that it had a "visceral tone and intensity that we did not imagine from the printed page." Zombie then bought back the picture and has been shopping it since.

Zombie, who previously directed music videos for his own songs and those of other heavy metal heroes, wrote and directed the $7 million picture. He also recently finished recording music for the film's soundtrack.

In the picture, two young couples are stranded when their car breaks down near a town full of bizarre characters, including a freak-show family led by murderous matriarch Karen Black. William Haig, Bill Moseley and Chris Hardwick also star.

Previously unrated, the film has been edited to get an R rating, removing some of the blood and murder, as part of the deal with MGM.

MGM execs said the picture is tentatively scheduled for a Halloween release.

More On 'House of 1000 Corpses'...

E-Mail This Article » Share your comments on 'House of 1000 Corpses'