Guillermo del Toro backs the Edgar Allan Poe Broze Bust project.

Edgar Allan Poe Bronze Bust Unveiling Gets its First Backer: Guillermo del Toro!

Boston, Massachusetts (June 13, 2014) — First, it was announced that Boston’s estranged literary son, Edgar Allan Poe, was coming home to the Boston Public Library in the form of a life-sized bronze bust meant to last through the ages. Next came the news that filmmaker Izzy Lee and bust sculptor Bryan Moore were bringing Dennis Paoli’s brilliant play Nevermore: An Evening With Edgar Allan Poe featuring Jeffrey Combs as Poe to the Somerville Theatre on October 31, 2014.

Now the Edgar Allan Poe Bronze Bust Project team declares that they launched a Kickstarter to fund the actual materials, casting process costs, and shipping fees associated with a project of this magnitude. But the best surprise the bust project team could have gotten? Within 20 minutes of launching the Kickstarter, fantasy/horror director Guillermo del Toro swooped in to give the project a healthy injection of funds, thereby ensuring that generations of Poe admirers will be able to visit this gift of art.

In exchange for his generosity, Guillermo del Toro (The Strain, Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth, Cronos), a known collector of horror memorabilia, will receive a replica of the life-sized Edgar Allan Poe bronze bust to add to his vast stockpile of treasures. Poe fans can follow suit by purchasing posters, signed Black Cat DVDs, signed Mrs. Poe books, tote bags, t-shirts, magazine subscriptions, audio plays, jewelry, and more.

Poe bust sculptor Bryan Moore weighed in on del Toro’s contribution: “I am humbled by the generosity of my pal Guillermo del Toro. Not only did he support the H.P. Lovecraft Bronze Bust Project, but he came back and graciously gave to help put the bust of Poe in the Boston Public Library for generations to come. I’m a lucky guy to call this incredibly kind gentleman and visionary my friend.”

Boston-based filmmaker Izzy Lee, who is producing Nevermore at the Somerville Theatre, said this: “We are humbled, hushed, and honored that someone as amazing as Guillermo del Toro, one of the greatest artistic minds of our generation, is a major backer of this project. He’s a personal hero of mine, and I cannot wait to thank him in person when we deliver his bust replica. I hope I’ll be able to stand upright and that I don’t burst into tears from sheer gratitude.”

The bust unveiling is slated for the evening of October 30, 2014 in the Boston Public Library’s Abbey Room, and Nevermore: An Evening With Edgar Allan Poe will be performed (one night only) at the Somerville Theatre on October 31, 2014.

About Izzy Lee: Izzy Lee is an up-and-coming director/producer/writer of horror films, and has been a programmer for the Boston Underground and Boston Sci-Fi festivals, as well as the former marketing director for the Viscera and Etheria film festivals. She has written for the world’s leading horror magazines Rue Morgue, Fangoria, and Diabolique. These experiences segued into directing and producing short films, notably horror and revenge stories. Her films have played festivals such as PollyGrind, Horrible Imaginings, BUFF, MassIndie, and her played with Rob Zombie’s Lords of Salem and Ti West’s The Sacrament. She is currently in pre-production for several projects, including a short film starring Kasey Landsdale. Lee is the producer for Nevermore: An Evening With Edgar Allan Poe, to be held on October 31, 2014 at the Somerville Theatre. Additionally, she is partnering with sculptor Bryan Moore to assist in the installation of the Edgar Allan Poe bronze bust in the Boston Public Library, with the unveiling set for October 30, 2014. Keep up with her at www.nihilnoctem.com.

About Bryan Moore: Bryan Moore began his sculpting career by working in countless horror media, like the original “Tales from the Darkside” TV series to big budget films like the Underworld movies. He enjoyed an apprenticeship in Italy under the sculptor Fabrizzi Alatore doing restorative work on the remains of monks for the Celebrated Cemetery of the Capuchin Friars in Rome; lived in Tokyo sculpting miniatures for amusement parks; worked as a sculptor at both Mattel Toys and Upper Deck Sports Collectibles; and now sculpts private commissions. Moore seems to have created an unintentional niche for himself as one who celebrates the Devil in art; his limited editions of occult icons often sell out immediately.

In August of 2013, Moore installed a life-size bronze bust of noted horror author H.P. Lovecraft in the Providence Athenaeum, and made a donation to the Children’s Literacy Program as part of the project. The extraordinary success of the H.P. Lovecraft Bronze Bust Project led to the creation of a life-size bust of Edgar Allan Poe, which will be unveiled in the city of Boston in the Boston Public Library on October 30, 2014. Having won a Rondo Award in May 2014, given in celebration of the best in classic horror research, creativity and film preservation—for Best Fan Event for his 2013 H.P. Lovecraft Bronze Bust Project, Moore is now tackling Boston and its wayward son, Edgar Allan Poe, at the nation’s oldest public library, the Boston Public Library.

Nevermore clip compilation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqlzElvN95g

Reviews: https://www.redhenprods.com/nevermore-an-evening-with-edgar-allen-poe-reviews.html

Official site: <https://www.facebook.com/EdgarAllanPoeBronzeBustProject>

Kickstarter: <https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/poebronzebust/the-edgar-allan-poe-bronze-bust-project>

Twitter:  <https://www.twitter.com/poebronzebust>