December 12: Skeleton Company rolls with DEVIL

Production house The Skeleton Company got in touch with Fango to give us the first news on their latest genre projects, the feature film LITTLE RED DEVIL and a currently untitled "horror/suspense" flick, both scheduled to shoot next year. Director Tommy (MR. JINGLES) Brunswick, whose other genre credits include The Skeleton Company's 2000 fright flick BIKER ZOMBIES FROM DETROIT, 2001's LURKING TERROR and the upcoming THE REMAKE (in which an unhinged horror fan sets out to slaughter a film crew bent on redoing a classic horror movie), has been tapped to helm both productions, and she tells us of the former, "We are currently in preproduction and will start shooting this February in metro Detroit."

Chiming in, husband and producing partner Todd Brunswick says of the Al Hayes-Robert Forman-scripted LITTLE RED DEVIL, "It's the story of Jimmy, and his collision with destiny when he's given a small carved figurine resembling a devil." As Fango readers know, quirky objects gifted in horror films generally come with a hefty price, whether they be alluring puzzleboxes or Zuni fetish dolls, and the titular idol is no exception, as Brunswick reveals, "It becomes the [actual] devil on his shoulder, whispering provocations of violence and destruction, and in a wake of the murders, the mystery unfolds as to the true nature of Jimmy's relationship with the devil."

With Gary Jones and Precinct 13 Entertainment (Robert Kurtzman's company, whose previous work includes THE DEVIL'S REJECTS and HOSTEL) tapped to handle both the visual and makeup FX, the producer tells us that casting is now their main focus. "We're reaching past the typical genre staples and are bringing in two names that are fresh to horror films, but are well-recognized from larger studio releases," he says, without revealing names.

As for the untitled project, The Skeleton Company has paired with Flipzide Studios (founded by FINAL DESTINATION and AMERICAN PIE franchise producer Warren Zide), with a budget set at $5 million. The director says she is currently working with Zide on "finalizing the script," as well as the cast, for a "supernatural thriller which will be completely shot, edited and produced in and around Detroit." The filmmakers, in keeping with their homegrown direction, plan to cast the majority of the flick with Michigan talent, and plan the same for the crew, with the production having already secured the talents of nearby HD Studios (editing facilities) and Detroit Power and Light (lighting). Precinct 13 has been tapped to provide the grue for this one as well, as has the previously mentioned Jones, and the director assures we can expect a good share of splatter. "We are huge Fango fans, and if you know us, you know we love the gore!"

Check out The Skeleton's Company visually arresting official site here and MySpace page here, and stay tuned to Fango for further developments, as the production promises new details soon. —Sean Decker