On the Big Board |
| Position |
Staff |
In Brief |
| 132/166 |
David Mumpower |
The time has come for Kevin Williamson fans to accept that he has lost his touch...and then some. |
In 1996, an unknown scribe announced his presence with authority in the realm of intelligent horror. The writer was Kevin Williamson, and his masterpiece was a work known at the time as Scary Movie. Under the subtle yet determined direction of proven slasher genre helmer Wes Craven, the work that did the unthinkable and killed its biggest name star in the opening sequence became one of the biggest buzz films of the year. The film's title was changed to Scream, and its box office performance was unprecedented.
The two sequels that followed Scream were also huge blockbusters, but Williamson proved himself unable to follow up this franchise launch with any other successful movies. His only other noteworthy project was, after all, an adaptation of a book, I Know What You Did Last Summer. While he did triumph to a degree in network television with Dawson’s Creek, movies like The Faculty and Teaching/Killing Mrs. Tingle were viewed as indicative that Williamson might have been something of a one hit wonder in the realm of movies. Stating the obvious, Kevin Williamson needs a career boost to quiet the doubters.
Enter Cursed. This film will attempt to do for the werewolf genre what Scream did for the teen slasher. While those involved with the project publicly state that comparisons between the two films are unfair, the reality is that they are all but begging for them to be made. After all, the built-in hype for Cursed will allow it to play out as a de facto sequel to Dimension’s most successful franchise. Nothing like a little free publicity, eh?
As for the story, it’s relatively straightforward with most of the details being shrouded in mystery for obvious reasons. What we do know is that a beastly attack appears to be the work of a creature thought to be mythological in nature, a werewolf. With the cancellation of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Oz has been ruled out as a suspect, leaving three survivors with the task of solving the mystery of who the monster actually is. Their task is made all the more difficult by the fear that a simple scratch from the lycanthrope will cause the victim to grow fur where there was no fur and bark at the full moon.
With a Wes Craven directed, Kevin Williamson written project, every hot young thespian with a pulse is going to be angling for a key part, so it’s not surprising that the cast is stellar. As a nice retro move, Scream-er Skeet Ulrich is on board and, in an even more retro move similar to the Patrick Dempsey casting in Scream 3, Scott Baio will be Charles in Charge once more. Gilmore Girls jerkass Milo Ventimiglia will be making an appearance, and the BOP staff is openly rooting for him to get gored repeatedly. Jesse Eisenberg, who was dazzling in Roger Dodger, is also signed on while Shannon Elizabeth will attempt to prove that she can keep her clothes on for an entire film. More eclectic selections are James “Crime, boy I don’t know” Brolin, Jennifer Garner dumpee Scott Foley and the always exceptional Robert Forster. As you can see, Cursed is not lacking for recognizable faces. Also, Corey Feldman is in the cast.
The movie has already been pushed back half a year from its originally intended August 2003 release date, but the current date would be nicely parallel with Scream 2 and 3’s February releases. Since BOP has a lycanthrope fetish, this film is high up on the staff’s list of Must See Films in 2004. (David Mumpower/BOP)
September 25, 2003
Back in August, the Hollywood Reporter announced that production had been delayed with 4 weeks left to shoot. Although there has been no official word on any release date change, a February release seems unlikely at this point. (Jennifer Turnock/BOP)
January 29, 2004
And some four months later, that speculation has been confirmed. The film will now angle for an October release in order to capitalize on the spirit of the Halloween season. Don't be surprised if it eventually gets bump back a couple of weeks though a jump into late summer is also not completely outside the realm of possibility. (David Mumpower/BOP)
February 3, 2005
The bloodbath of reshoots eliminated several people from the film. Skeet Ulrich's big comeback is a thing of the past. His character, Vince, didn't make the final cut. Replacing him is another Williamson staple, Joshua Jackson. In addition, Joanie might love Chachi, but Miramax does not. Scott Baio is gone. Finally, Ginger Lynn's ex, Corey "Please Make a Goonies Remake" Feldman has been eliminated as well.
In addition to Jackson, Arrested Development's Ellen-loving Portia de Rossi and music sensations(?) Mya and Lance Bass make appearances. Continuing the Williamson trend of casting WB regulars, Michael Rosenbaum of Smallville is onboard.
What we're saying here is that an entirely different movie has been made after the original was done. If you're reminded of Exorcist: The Beginning, you have good reason. Cursed has gone from being one of the most exciting projects on the schedule to one that sounds disaster-riffic. BOP is cautiously pessimistic about the film's potential. (David Mumpower/BOP)
Vital statistics for Cursed |
| Main Cast |
Christina Ricci, Skeet Ulrich, Scott Baio, James Brolin, Illeana Douglas |
| Supporting Cast |
Jesse Eisenberg, Shannon Elizabeth, Omar Epps, Corey Feldman, Robert Forster, Scott Foley, Milo Ventimiglia |
| Director |
Wes Craven |
| Screenwriter |
Kevin Williamson |
| Distributor |
Dimension Films |
| Rating |
R |
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Talent in red has entry in The Big Picture |
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Comparison films for Cursed |
Title |
Date |
Opening |
Adjusted Opening |
Screens |
PSA |
Adj PSA |
Total BO |
Adjusted Total |
Mult |
| Scream 3 |
2/4/00 | 34.71 |
38.83 |
3465 |
10017.00 |
10779.0 |
88.36 |
98.84 |
2.55 |
| Scream 2 |
12/12/97 | 33.00 |
43.35 |
2663 |
12392.00 |
15658.7 |
101.36 |
133.15 |
3.07 |
| I Still Know What You Did Last Summer |
11/13/98 | 16.50 |
21.21 |
2443 |
6754.00 |
8352.5 |
40.00 |
51.42 |
2.42 |
| Final Destination 2 |
1/31/03 | 16.02 |
16.02 |
2834 |
5652.00 |
5652.0 |
46.90 |
46.90 |
2.93 |
| I Know What You Did Last Summer |
10/17/97 | 15.82 |
20.78 |
2524 |
6268.00 |
7920.3 |
72.22 |
94.87 |
4.57 |
| Darkness Falls |
1/24/03 | 12.02 |
12.02 |
2837 |
4239.00 |
4239.0 |
32.54 |
32.54 |
2.71 |
| Final Destination |
3/17/00 | 10.02 |
11.20 |
2585 |
3876.00 |
4170.8 |
53.30 |
59.62 |
5.32 |
| Scream |
12/20/96 | 6.35 |
8.66 |
1413 |
4494.00 |
5897.1 |
103.03 |
140.56 |
16.23 |
| Wrong Turn |
5/30/03 | 5.16 |
5.16 |
1615 |
3164.00 |
3164.0 |
15.42 |
15.42 |
2.99 |
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