Based on Clive Barker’s 1980s “Books of Blood” series, Japanese director Ryuhei Kitamura (“Versus,” “Sky High”) makes his American debut with this cult horror classic that’s finally getting a movie adaptation.
The film follows a struggling photographer (Bradley Cooper) who hopes taking a few shots of serial killer Mahogany (Vinnie Jones, “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”) – who stalks late night commuters in the subways – will help his portfolio.
Kitamura promises as much gore – if not more – as the recent films in the genre like the “Saw” films and “Hostel,” and expects Mahogany to be compared to horror legends Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees and Leatherface. “From day one I’ve told Clive we have to create a new icon of horror heroes and I think this Mahogany will be the new classic horror icon,” Kitamura says confidently from the set.
The director, who’s known in Japan for his unique shooting style that can be compared to Sam Raimi’s early work, has turned down numerous American films to direct, but says when he was offered “Meat Train” from producers at Lakeshore Entertainment he couldn’t pass it up. “I bought Clive’s book 20 years ago on the day it came out [in Japan],” he says.
And working closely with Barker in developing the story was an honor for this horror fan, but Kitamura admits it was also tedious at times. “I changed the script and somehow Clive read an in-process draft and was very angry,” he recalls. “I went to his house and acted out the scene and explained everything and after ten minutes he said, ‘I like it, you solved all the problems.’ I’m a fan so I know I’d be upset if someone messed up his great book, but I’m tying to make something better otherwise I wouldn’t have come all the way from Japan to do this.”
Currently filming in L.A., principle photography is set to wrap May 4. Shot on 35mm by Jonathan Sela (2006’s “The Omen”) and edited by Toby Yates (“The Dead Girl”), the film will be released by Lionsgate in 2008. Producers are Lakeshore’s Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Richard Wright and Eric Reid. David Rubin is executive producer. Jeff Buhler adapted the screenplay. The film also starts Brooke Shields, Peter Jacobson (“Good Night, and Good Luck”) and Roger Bart (“Hostel: Part II”).
Source