A title change isn’t usually considered headline news, but I’m stoked for this upcoming title and I’m using the name change as a means to keep the movie in the public eye. You’re not going to want to miss out on this one!
Last year I had the privilege of conducting extensive coverage and exclusive interviews with some of the main players of a horror-western originally titled The Cold Descent. The movie was ending principal photography in a few days and I was lucky enough to experience some of that magic, with the fond memory of getting phone call bombed by Michael Eklund while interviewing Tony Todd. The cast and crew all expressed their adoration and faith in the movie, and then things went dark… I’ve been wondering what happened to the movie, so here we are.
A little digging shows me that The Cold Descent, now titled West of Hell, is still in the post-production process and is aiming for an early 2017 release. I actually like the new title better and I think it’ll be a more attention grabbing guise. Whatever sells, right? More than anything, the name change shows me that West of Hell is still chugging along, it’s nearing completion, and we just have to wait a little bit longer until we join the train ride to Hell. Patience is a virtue, but maybe this post can persuade the behind-the-scenes team to release a new still or two?
West of Hell is directed by Michael Steves, who also directed my favorite horror rom-com Clinger, based on the screenplay by Yousef Abu-Taleb, Gabi Chennisi Duncombe and Bubba Fish. Youself also served as producer and Gabi also served as cinematographer. The lead cast is assembled by horror icons and stars including Tony Todd (Final Destination, Hatchet), Lance Henriksen (Alien, Pumpkinhead), Michael Eklund (“Bates Motel,” “Wynonna Earp”), Jennifer Laporte (Clinger), Jill Hoiles (Growth), Jeryl Prescott (Vacancy 2), Richard Riehle (Halloween II, Messengers II) and Yousef Abu-Taleb (“Bite Me,” “Lonelygirl15”).
“Georgia, 1872 – seven years after the end of the Civil War. On a midnight train to Atlanta, Jericho Whitfield, a brilliant former slave, plans to avenge the murder of his daughter – who was scalped by his old master. Jericho’s mission is to scalp and kill Annie Hargraves – his old master’s rebellious, street-smart teenage daughter. A clean eye for an eye revenge. The only thing standing in Jericho’s way is Roland Bursley, a vicious mercenary hired to protect Annie on her trip to Atlanta. But Roland, Annie, and Jericho soon discover that there is something far scarier than the three of them on the train – and they will have to work together if they want to survive the midnight journey to Atlanta.”
Any update on the film?