Recently we had the pleasure of taking a deep dive into a personal all time favorite with Bill Paxton’s Frailty and then sitting down to speak with David Kirschner, successful producer of everything from Frailty to the Child’s Play franchise to Hocus Pocus and An American Tail: Fievel Goes West.
David graced us with some incredible stories about the making of Frailty; he told us about James Cameron’s “massive” contribution to the film and of the death threats he received before the film was even released. We even touched on the chances of Frailty going to 4K and the possibility of a Chucky-free Charles Lee Ray Child’s Play prequel starring Brad Dourif.
But most importantly, David shares his fascinating and heartfelt stories of working with the one of a kind Bill Paxton as they created Frailty.
Bloody Disgusting: Thank you for taking the time to do this.
David graced us with some incredible stories about the making of Frailty; he told us about James Cameron’s “massive” contribution to the film and of the death threats he received before the film was even released. We even touched on the chances of Frailty going to 4K and the possibility of a Chucky-free Charles Lee Ray Child’s Play prequel starring Brad Dourif.
But most importantly, David shares his fascinating and heartfelt stories of working with the one of a kind Bill Paxton as they created Frailty.
Bloody Disgusting: Thank you for taking the time to do this.
- 7/10/2023
- by Mike Holtz
- bloody-disgusting.com
There’s a lot of awful horror movie dads that come to mind around Father’s Day every year. Everett McGill’s “Man” from The People Under the Stairs or Jack Nicholson’s Jack Torrance from The Shining, for example. There’s also good horror movie dads like John Krasinski in A Quiet Place or Thomas Jane in The Mist (okay, he’s maybe a bit impatient in the end). But the duality of Bill Paxton’s “Dad” from 2002’s Frailty is quite the jagged little pill to swallow.
In the film, Paxton plays a widowed father to two young boys in a small town in Texas in 1979. He initially seems like a decent man and good father who goes to work everyday and comes home to have dinner and spend time with his kids. That is, of course, right up until he wakes them up one night to let...
In the film, Paxton plays a widowed father to two young boys in a small town in Texas in 1979. He initially seems like a decent man and good father who goes to work everyday and comes home to have dinner and spend time with his kids. That is, of course, right up until he wakes them up one night to let...
- 6/21/2023
- by Mike Holtz
- bloody-disgusting.com
I wasn't exactly surprised when "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." sprung the big reveal last month that Bill Paxton's John Garrett turned out to be evil. I mean... He's Bill Paxton. It's not that Bill Paxton is constantly playing evil characters or anything, but if you bring in an actor with Paxton's pedigree -- Four Golden Globe nominations, an Emmy nod and the credibility that comes from "Aliens," "Near Dark," etc -- you're not bringing him in to play the boring straight-arrow authority figure. So it was almost a relief when Garrett turned sneering villain and then it was genuinely interesting when, in last week's episode, the frequently rushed "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." took the time to do a flashback-heavy episode explained both Garrett's Hydra-loving origins and the conditions that might also have turned Brett Dalton's Ward. When last we saw Garrett, we had discovered...
- 5/13/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
Bill Paxton made his directorial debut back in 2001 with the mostly-excellent chiller Frailty, and followed it in 2005 with equally solid golfing drama The Greatest Game Ever Played. Since then he's seemed content in front of the camera, but he's now scored his third outing calling the shots, adapting Joe R. Lansdale's novel The Bottoms. Paxton's Frailty collaborator Brent Hanley has once again provided the screenplay.Lansdale's book, first published in 2000, is set in small-town Texas during the Great Depression, and involves young Harry Crane stumbling across the trail of a killer. Racial tensions are stirred up when the eccentric Mose is lynched for the murders by a Klan mob. As the killings continue however, Harry's attention turns to the local horror legend of the forest-dwelling "Goat Man".“Joe Lansdale’s stories and characters are vivid, original and indelible," says Paxton. "Brent and I have been looking to team up again since Frailty,...
- 2/11/2014
- EmpireOnline
Via: Deadline
Bill Paxton is set to direct a new film based on a novel written by Joe Lansdale called The Bottoms. The story is set in East Texas and follows "an adolescent boy, his little sister, and their father who stumble across the body of a black woman who has been savagely mutilated and left to die in the bottom of the Sabine River. The townsfolk cover up the crime until the body of a white woman is found in similar circumstances and it falls to the family to unearth the truth."
The script for the film was written by Brent Hanley who also wrote the 2001 film Frailty, which Paxton also directed. The movie is scheduled to start shooting later this year. Paxton had this to say in a statement,
“I have been a big fan of Joe Lansdale’s writing since the Hap And Leonard novels. His stories and characters are vivid,...
Bill Paxton is set to direct a new film based on a novel written by Joe Lansdale called The Bottoms. The story is set in East Texas and follows "an adolescent boy, his little sister, and their father who stumble across the body of a black woman who has been savagely mutilated and left to die in the bottom of the Sabine River. The townsfolk cover up the crime until the body of a white woman is found in similar circumstances and it falls to the family to unearth the truth."
The script for the film was written by Brent Hanley who also wrote the 2001 film Frailty, which Paxton also directed. The movie is scheduled to start shooting later this year. Paxton had this to say in a statement,
“I have been a big fan of Joe Lansdale’s writing since the Hap And Leonard novels. His stories and characters are vivid,...
- 2/8/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
When much-loved actor Bill Paxton made his directorial debut in 2001 with the dark psychological thriller Frailty, the project was met with rave reviews. His 2005 follow-up The Greatest Game Ever Played made less of an impact, however, so the news that his next turn at the helm will reunite him with Frailty writer Brent Hanley makes The Bottoms an exciting prospect indeed.
Based on the book by Joe R. Lansdale, The Bottoms tells of a teenage boy who, along with his father and younger sister, discovers the body of a black woman – brutally murdered and left in the bottom of the Sabine River in East Texas. Local townspeople attempt to cover up the crime, until the body of a white woman is discovered in similar circumstances, and racial tensions begin to boil over.
The book won an Edgar Award in 2000 and is part of the impressive bibliography of author Lansdale, which...
Based on the book by Joe R. Lansdale, The Bottoms tells of a teenage boy who, along with his father and younger sister, discovers the body of a black woman – brutally murdered and left in the bottom of the Sabine River in East Texas. Local townspeople attempt to cover up the crime, until the body of a white woman is discovered in similar circumstances, and racial tensions begin to boil over.
The book won an Edgar Award in 2000 and is part of the impressive bibliography of author Lansdale, which...
- 2/8/2014
- by Sarah Myles
- We Got This Covered
Bill Paxton is set to direct an adaptation of Joe Lansdale's racially-themed novel "The Bottoms" for Paradise City.
Set in East Texas, the story follows a family who stumble across the body of a black woman who has been savagely mutilated and left to die in the bottom of the Sabine River.
The townsfolk cover up the crime until the body of a white woman is found in similar circumstances. The family must then unearth the truth.
Brent Hanley ("Frailty") has adapted the script and filming begins later this year.
Source: Deadline...
Set in East Texas, the story follows a family who stumble across the body of a black woman who has been savagely mutilated and left to die in the bottom of the Sabine River.
The townsfolk cover up the crime until the body of a white woman is found in similar circumstances. The family must then unearth the truth.
Brent Hanley ("Frailty") has adapted the script and filming begins later this year.
Source: Deadline...
- 2/7/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Whenever film lovers are asked which actor turned director they’d like to see get back behind the camera for a second film the top choice is quite frequently Charles Laughton. Unfortunately, Mr. Laughton passed away over half a century ago and won’t be following up The Night of the Hunter anytime soon. By contrast, Eddie Murphy is still alive, but no one is asking for a follow-up to Harlem Nights. One other name that frequently shows up on these lists is Bill Paxton, the beloved character actor, occasional leading man, and only performer to have been killed by a Terminator, a Predator, an Alien, and a Liberal with a knife. To be fair, even he doesn’t fit the criteria above as he’s already directed a second movie with 2005′s golf-related period film, The Greatest Game Ever Played. That movie is easily forgotten though, in part because it stars Shia Labeouf, and...
- 2/7/2014
- by Rob Hunter
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
The 2014 European Film Market only just kicked off, but as far as we're concerned, the best news of the year so far has come today as Bill Paxton is returning to the director's chair... for an adaptation of a Joe Lansdale novel no less!
Per Deadline, Paradise City, the production label of Paris-based Memento Films International, has tapped Paxton to direct an adaptation of Joe Lansdale’s novel The Bottoms based on a script by Brent Hanley, who wrote Paxton’s excellent 2001 directing effort Frailty.
“I have been a big fan of Joe Lansdale’s writing since the Hap and Leonard novels,” Paxton says. “His stories and characters are vivid, original, and indelible. The screenwriter Brent Hanley and I have been looking to team up again since Frailty, and when we read Joe’s book The Bottoms, we knew we had hit pay dirt. With a story and script this good,...
Per Deadline, Paradise City, the production label of Paris-based Memento Films International, has tapped Paxton to direct an adaptation of Joe Lansdale’s novel The Bottoms based on a script by Brent Hanley, who wrote Paxton’s excellent 2001 directing effort Frailty.
“I have been a big fan of Joe Lansdale’s writing since the Hap and Leonard novels,” Paxton says. “His stories and characters are vivid, original, and indelible. The screenwriter Brent Hanley and I have been looking to team up again since Frailty, and when we read Joe’s book The Bottoms, we knew we had hit pay dirt. With a story and script this good,...
- 2/7/2014
- by Debi Moore
- DreadCentral.com
Several attempts have been made to bring the story of the tragic sinking of the USS Indianapolis to cinemas. Here, Ti charts their often abortive progress…
“Eleven-hundred men went into the water. Vessel went down in 12 minutes. Didn't see the first shark for about a half-hour. Tiger. 13-footer. You know how you know that in the water, Chief? You can tell by lookin' from the dorsal to the tail…”
The tragedy of the USS Indianapolis was famously recounted by Robert Shaw’s Quint in Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, when he told the horrific tale of how the Us Navy ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in July 1945.
The USS Indianapolis had just delivered a highly secret cargo to Tinian island. Only a few members of the crew even knew it was a new, powerful weapon, and no one knew it would later be dropped on Hiroshima. On the ship’s return journey,...
“Eleven-hundred men went into the water. Vessel went down in 12 minutes. Didn't see the first shark for about a half-hour. Tiger. 13-footer. You know how you know that in the water, Chief? You can tell by lookin' from the dorsal to the tail…”
The tragedy of the USS Indianapolis was famously recounted by Robert Shaw’s Quint in Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, when he told the horrific tale of how the Us Navy ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in July 1945.
The USS Indianapolis had just delivered a highly secret cargo to Tinian island. Only a few members of the crew even knew it was a new, powerful weapon, and no one knew it would later be dropped on Hiroshima. On the ship’s return journey,...
- 9/6/2011
- Den of Geek
Bill Paxton Coming to Present Frailty at Alamo South Lamar – This Monday, February 28, 9:40pm.
We had Bill Murray visit us two years ago for the premiere of City Of Ember. He partied with us in a cave. We had Bill Pullman last year host a Spaceballs quote-along and a Master Pancake screening of Independence Day. He sang karaoke to the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Got a Feeling” along with Elijah Wood and RZA. This year we’re going for the trifecta with Bill Paxton!
Yes, we somehow convinced the star of Big Love, Apollo 13, Twister, Aliens, and True Lies to come down to Austin to hang with us. Obviously, it’s going to be awesome. Paxton will be presenting his directorial debut, Frailty. If you haven’t seen this awesome horror film, that’s ok. Everyone’s made mistakes.
Frailty is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest...
We had Bill Murray visit us two years ago for the premiere of City Of Ember. He partied with us in a cave. We had Bill Pullman last year host a Spaceballs quote-along and a Master Pancake screening of Independence Day. He sang karaoke to the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Got a Feeling” along with Elijah Wood and RZA. This year we’re going for the trifecta with Bill Paxton!
Yes, we somehow convinced the star of Big Love, Apollo 13, Twister, Aliens, and True Lies to come down to Austin to hang with us. Obviously, it’s going to be awesome. Paxton will be presenting his directorial debut, Frailty. If you haven’t seen this awesome horror film, that’s ok. Everyone’s made mistakes.
Frailty is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest...
- 2/24/2011
- by Daniel Metz
- OriginalAlamo.com
What a decade. Talk about an insane ten years. In it we've seen sequels top originals, remakes up the ante, and a precious few bits of original content do what all quality cinema does -- become instant classics. Join us now for a look back at the decade that was 2000-2009!
Being that Foy covered the worst of the decade already (and who better to do so?), we collectively voted on the best so this truly is Dread Central's definitive list. Now let's get to it, starting with the title that garnered the fewest votes all the way up to the one that got the most.
10: The Devil's Rejects (2005)
Well before the much abused re-imaginings known as Rob Zombie's Halloween and Halloween II were conceived by the unpredictable writer/director, he was honing his craft on a taut and dark little film called The Devil's Rejects. While Rejects is...
Being that Foy covered the worst of the decade already (and who better to do so?), we collectively voted on the best so this truly is Dread Central's definitive list. Now let's get to it, starting with the title that garnered the fewest votes all the way up to the one that got the most.
10: The Devil's Rejects (2005)
Well before the much abused re-imaginings known as Rob Zombie's Halloween and Halloween II were conceived by the unpredictable writer/director, he was honing his craft on a taut and dark little film called The Devil's Rejects. While Rejects is...
- 1/1/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
DVD Playhouse—November 2009
By
Allen Gardner
Watchmen—The Ultimate Cut (Warner Bros.) Director Zack Snyder’s film of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ landmark graphic novel is as worthy an adaptation of a great book that has ever been filmed. In an alternative version of the year 1985, Richard Nixon is serving his third term as President and super heroes have been outlawed by a congressional act, in spite of the fact that two of the most high-profile “masks,” Dr. Manhattan (Billy Cruddup) and The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) helped the U.S. win the Vietnam War. When The Comedian is found murdered, many former heroes become concerned that a conspiracy is afoot to assassinate retired costumed crime fighters. Former masks Nite Owl (Patrick Wilson), Silk Spectre (Malin Akerman) and still-operating Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley, in an Oscar-worthy turn) launch an investigation of their own, all while the Pentagon’s “Doomsday...
By
Allen Gardner
Watchmen—The Ultimate Cut (Warner Bros.) Director Zack Snyder’s film of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ landmark graphic novel is as worthy an adaptation of a great book that has ever been filmed. In an alternative version of the year 1985, Richard Nixon is serving his third term as President and super heroes have been outlawed by a congressional act, in spite of the fact that two of the most high-profile “masks,” Dr. Manhattan (Billy Cruddup) and The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) helped the U.S. win the Vietnam War. When The Comedian is found murdered, many former heroes become concerned that a conspiracy is afoot to assassinate retired costumed crime fighters. Former masks Nite Owl (Patrick Wilson), Silk Spectre (Malin Akerman) and still-operating Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley, in an Oscar-worthy turn) launch an investigation of their own, all while the Pentagon’s “Doomsday...
- 11/15/2009
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Lionsgate is releasing a slew of genre related titles on November 24th, and among the bunch is Bill Paxton's directorial debut Frailty . The Blu-Ray will be presented in widescreen, along with 7.1 DTS HD Master Audio. Extras will include a commentary with Director Bill Paxton, a second commentary with Writer Brent Hanley, a third commentary with Editor Arnold Glassman, Producer David Kirschner and Composer Brian Tyler, deleted scenes with optional director commentary, 2 featurettes ("Anatomy of a Scene", "The Making of Frailty"), storyboards, and a photo gallery. Written by Brent Hanley, Frailty stars Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey, Powers Boothe and Matt O'Leary (Sorority Row, Mother's Day) Lionsgate is sticking with the original DVD art work as you can...
- 10/13/2009
- shocktillyoudrop.com
If you're finding the Masters of Horror series' a bit hit and miss, then this could be right up your well-manicured suburban street. Yes it's all hit in John Landis's (An American Werewolf in London) episode which sees George 'Cheers' Wendt firmly ensconced in a pristine but pretty messy suburban horror. Wendt plays Harold, the seemingly perfect neighbour who's outwardly friendly yet with an air of reserve (just ideal for that picket-fenced parade!). Newcomers to the street, Celia and David, find Harold the ideal, welcoming neighbour and a tentative relationship of social niceties prevails between the three. But who is what they seem when the glossy veneer of manners and acceptability begins to crack?
There are few premises as timeless and workable as that of what lies beneathe the facade of the suburban idyll, and Landis works this to more than satisfying effect, coupled with the scribing talents of Frailty's Brent Hanley.
There are few premises as timeless and workable as that of what lies beneathe the facade of the suburban idyll, and Landis works this to more than satisfying effect, coupled with the scribing talents of Frailty's Brent Hanley.
- 2/25/2009
- by Fiona
- Latemag.com/film
J.J. Abrams is attached to direct Universal Pictures' The Good Sailor, a drama being written by Brent Hanley that revolves around the sinking of the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis. Chris Moore is producing with Abrams, who will oversee the development of the story. On July 30, 1945, the Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in the Philippine Sea. Hundreds went down with the ship, but about 900 sailors were left in shark-infested waters. The ship was never missed, and by the time the survivors were spotted by accident five days later, only 316 remained. The ship's captain, Charles McVay III, was later court-martialed for the incident, the only World War II Navy captain to be court-martialed for losing his ship.
- 1/12/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
J.J. Abrams is attached to direct Universal Pictures' The Good Sailor, a drama being written by Brent Hanley that revolves around the sinking of the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis. Chris Moore is producing with Abrams, who will oversee the development of the story. On July 30, 1945, the Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in the Philippine Sea. Hundreds went down with the ship, but about 900 sailors were left in shark-infested waters. The ship was never missed, and by the time the survivors were spotted by accident five days later, only 316 remained. The ship's captain, Charles McVay III, was later court-martialed for the incident, the only World War II Navy captain to be court-martialed for losing his ship.
- 1/12/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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