On Thursday night, Hammer's CEO Simon Oakes attended a special screening of The Woman in Black, timed just ahead of the film's DVD and Blu-ray release here in the UK. Bleeding Cool sent along Patrick Dane, who got to question Oakley afterwards, also heard him carry out a Q&A. You'll be able to read Patrick's full report on Monday, but first, here's what Oakes had to say about future plans for follow up films to the Woman in Black.
First of all, the second film in the series:
We are working on not a sequel but a continuation of The Woman in Black. Susan Hill wrote an outline story about what happened 40 years later to the woman in Woman in Black and the house and all of that. It's completely different. It's completely different. Obviously with a different story and cast.
Hammer have officially announced this film, and released this plot blurb:
Seized by the government and converted into a military mental hospital during World War II, the sudden arrival of disturbed soldiers to Eel Marsh House has awoken its darkest inhabitant. Eve, a beautiful young nurse, is sent to the house to care for the patients, but soon realises she must save them from more than their own demons. Despite Eve's efforts to stop her, one by one they fall victim to the Woman in Black.
Despite the emphasis on "Eve" there, Oakes was suggesting this spin-off might be more of an ensemble piece:
I can't give away the story. It's just different. But it doesn't require one certain actor to carry it, if you like… we will cast as well as we can.
There was also some teasing that Daniel Radcliffe could make an appearance in the second film. It would be a small role, by the sound of things. Plainly put, Oakley wouldn't deny it, went as far as saying Radcliffe "might" appear.
And then, pending the success of this follow-up, Hammer won't be stopping there. Oakley talked a little about their further plans for the series:
I also think with a bit of luck, The Woman in Black is sort of like the brand… we won't count our chickens but absolutely. Plans are afoot.
Much of the discussion of the first Woman in Black film revolved around Daniel and his rather central role. I'll be interested to see how successfully they move away from this focus, and if audiences are prepared to follow along.
The Woman in Black is available on UK DVD and Blu-ray from Monday, and has been released in the US already.
No comments:
Post a Comment