| Author | Message | ||
     David_lees (David_lees) Username: David_lees Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 92.22.41.70 |
'A sequel to The Woman In Black is in the works, with original author Susan Hill on board. Hammer's adaptation of Hill's acclaimed 1983 ghost story, starring Daniel Radcliffe, became the most successful British horror movie of the last 20 years, taking $33 million (£21 million) in the UK and $120 million (£75 million) worldwide. Now, Hill will collaborate with Hammer directly on The Woman In Black: Angels Of Death. Although the story was never written as a follow-up novel, it is an original story developed by Hill herself, marking the beginning of a franchise. The screenplay will be written by Jon Crocker. The Woman In Black was set in the early 1900s and following a young lawyer travelling to the deserted Eel Marsh House to sort the papers of a recently-deceased client. The sequel will pick up events 40 years later and focus on a young couple’s experiences at Eel Marsh House. Simon Oakes, Vice-Chairman of Exclusive Media and President and CEO of Hammer Films said: "We are proud and honoured to be working with Susan again on The Woman In Black: Angels Of Death, a wonderful new tale every bit as atmospheric and terrifying as its predecessor The Woman In Black." Nigel Sinclair, Co-Chairman and CEO of Exclusive Media added: "It's thrilling to be able to work with someone of Susan’s literary calibre on such a fascinating project. It’s also fantastic to have Jon on board again to bring this new story to life on the big screen." ' http://www.nme.com/filmandtv/news/the-woman-in-black-sequel-confirmed-with-autho r-susan/264633 I've not seen the new version of TWIB yet, so not sure how I feel about it turning into a franchise. I'd also like to point out how much I hate April Fool's day, since I'm forced have to check multiple sources to make sure things like this are actually real. Not to mention the fact that every single person on my Facebook feed thought announcing fake marriages/pregnancies would be the best joke ever. | ||
| Ramsey Campbell (Ramsey) Username: Ramsey Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 92.8.26.230 |
Sounds as if she's acknowledging she's part of the genre. Welcome, Susan! | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 194.32.31.1 |
I knew it would do good business with the general public but that's still a bit depressing to hear. The film was nothing more than a competently put together "make 'em jump" crowd pleaser and failed to impress me on any other level. A pedestrian horror date movie if ever there was one. | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.154.169.2 |
I've come to realise I have no qualms about whatever horror does. The other night we projected the House on Haunted Hill remake and had great fun with it - it's better than I remember. Sometimes its choices can seem dumb or financial, but in time we are left with the films themselves and only then can we evaluate them properly. | ||
| Mbfg (Mbfg) Username: Mbfg Registered: 09-2010 Posted From: 62.255.207.128 |
I saw the stage version of "Woman in Black" way back in 1996 and it scared the life out of me! That is the definitive adaptation for me. I'm just not interested in any other. As for a sequel...why? Why not write a completely new ghost story? Oh, its the money, silly of me. But I agree with you Tony, in the end, when Radcliffe-mania has died away, we are left with the film, and that will the be time to judge it. Cheers Terry | ||
| John Forth (John) Username: John Registered: 05-2008 Posted From: 82.24.1.217 |
The film was a dumb old ghost train of a movie. An entertaining hour and a half, see in the company of an audience willing to meet it on those terms, but I doubt I'll ever watch it again. The stage show coaxed real fear out of me, the film a sort of laughing, grudging "okay, you got me" feeling. Wasn't Hill saying in the media lately that she was skint? This should help her out! | ||
| David_lees (David_lees) Username: David_lees Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 92.22.41.70 |
The second sequel will be found footage. The one after that will see some relic of Eel Marsh house end up on a space station, bringing The Woman along with it. Then there'll be several straight to DVD low-budget sequels until the franchise is rejuvenated with Black Ring: Jennet vs Sadako. Yeah, I've seen the play and the original adaption and loved them, a sequel might be good if done with some imagination but I dread the ghost becoming some overused pop culture character the way horror villains inevitably do. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.253.77 |
I loved The Woman in Black - it's pure Hammer hokum. A sequel could be fun, if handled properly, and presented in the same "ghost train" style. The stage play is excellent. And Nigel Kneale's adaptation is a TV landmark. | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 194.32.31.1 |
Mindlessly enjoyable horror hokum for sure and I did enjoy it, or rather I enjoyed pre-empting the reactions of the audience, but Hammer really need to up their game if they want to be taken seriously. 'The Woman In Black' was no more than a competent holding action, imo. If it turns into a bloody franchise, however, I swear I'm giving up.  | ||
| Gary Fry (Gary_fry) Username: Gary_fry Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.25.43.252 |
Susan Hill has written a number of other ghost novels. None is particular great. The Woman in Black's real stroke of genius is the dislocation of the ghost from its native, ahem, haunt. When the ghost reappears in the lake - ON the lake - it's terrifying. It breaks two conventional rules and dislocates rationality. But having read the other books, I'm not sure how much of this is under Hill's control. I truly believe a great ghost story can be written accidentally. | ||
| Steve Bacon (Stevebacon) Username: Stevebacon Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 90.208.112.208 |
I haven't seen the Radcliffe version, but I was hoping its success would see the (re)release of the Nigel Kneale version, which I've never had the chance to watch. | ||
| John Forth (John) Username: John Registered: 05-2008 Posted From: 82.24.1.217 |
Yes, I was hoping the Kneale version (never seen it) would be re-released in the wake of this new version, but no sign of it so far. | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 82.18.174.156 |
My thoughts exactly. I've yet to see it and have heard nothing but great things. | ||
| Gary Fry (Gary_fry) Username: Gary_fry Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.25.43.252 |
It's on YouTube. | ||
| Seanmcd (Seanmcd) Username: Seanmcd Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 193.113.57.161 |
It's also readily available on eBay for a couple of quid. Not sure about the quality or legality though ! | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 194.32.31.1 |
Thanks, Sean. I'll have a look. Being a fussy sod I couldn't bear to watch this reputed highlight of Nigel Kneale's career on my crappy old computer monitor and would much prefer to own a copy of the DVD. I feel much the same way about YouTube as I do about ebooks... | ||
| Patrick Walker (Patrick_walker) Username: Patrick_walker Registered: 01-2010 Posted From: 195.59.153.200 |
Is The Woman in Black 2 really the planned title for the follow-up? Seeing that Hammer have such a successful track record with movie sequels, I propose the title The Woman in Black Must Be Destroyed. Or maybe The Woman In Black Has Risen From The Grave. | ||
| Gary Fry (Gary_fry) Username: Gary_fry Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.23.109.19 |
The Woman in Black is Back! | ||
| John Forth (John) Username: John Registered: 05-2008 Posted From: 82.132.249.240 |
THE WOMAN IN BLACK AD 1972 | ||
| David_lees (David_lees) Username: David_lees Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 92.22.41.57 |
I wonder if this is what'll end up happening to the character if it turns into a proper franchise: http://www.animenewsnetwork.co.uk/interest/2012-04-26/ring-horror-films-sadako-t osses-1st-pitch-at-ballgame I remember when Ringu was this almost mythical film whispered about on message boards, while I hunted the internet desperately for any sign of a sub-titled DVD. Great days... |