Update 20th Nov
Once again, just dropping in to give you a swift status update. Still in Toronto moving onto the final phase of post production. The FX shots are coming in thick and fast, so each day there’s something new to review and comment on. There’s some terrific stuff and one new monster that looks just fantastic. Can’t wait for you guys to see it.
The sound design team haven’t yet completed a full pass at the film but each day I can see so many layers of new sounds being added. I know that when it comes to the final mix there’s going to be lots to play with. Same goes for music. Early days on this one so I’m only hearing the very basic ideas that have yet to be fully developed. This last week has been involved with ADR or looping as it’s sometimes called (depends where you’re from). It’s basically bringing actors back into the sound studio to re-record dialogue that isn’t useable for one reason of another. I’ve had Rhada, Malcolm, Deborah, Kit, Adelaide and Sean these past few weeks. Sometimes it’s a good opportunity to change the nuance of a performance or even to add entirely new lines. Some actors really like doing this but many hate the process and I can understand why. It’s very hard to re-create that moment of a performance in the sterile world of a sound booth. Still, if you’re a modern film actor, it’s an essential skill and it has to be done well. This coming week I’m doing ‘crowd’ sessions and ‘monster’ sessions - and you can figure out what they’re going to be yourselves.
Lots of comments and questions about release dates and trailers. Once again, I’ll just repeat here – it is NOTHING to do with me. I’m not a producer on this movie. My job is to deliver a finished film to the producers and they’ll decide when they want to release it and what form the promotion will take. I know the trailer is in process and I’ve seen a few different cuts so far but nothing that seems to capture the film properly. I asked one of the producers about when they wanted a trailer to surface and the reply was very simple – they don’t have a full strategy in place yet. Remember that the trailer isn’t going to be just for the Silent Hill fans - you guys are already going to go and see the movie. The trailer and marketing have to get all the people who have no idea what Silent Hill is to go and see the film. This is what the producers and distributors are thinking about now. I get to listen in and have an opinion but really, I’m not sure how much it counts.
Good news for my talented young friend Kit Harington who has been cast as King Arthur in the huge Warner Brothers pic, Arthur and Lancelot. Kit told me he had been waiting to hear about this for a few weeks and I’m truly delighted for him. He’s a terrific young actor and a great guy. With yet another Arthur movie heading our way it puts another nail in the coffin of my long-held desires – I’d always wanted to make a true dark ages Arthur story filled with blood and magic, based around the Welsh stories from the ‘Mabinogion’ but I can’t see that ever happening. Not sure what the tone of this new one is going to be but anything that gives Kit greater opportunities is fine by me.
And last but really not least; there is SOLOMON KANE in America news coming…. I can’t jump the gun because I have no details but I am assured that there is finally a future for Kane in the New World. And I have every reason to believe it is valid and true. As soon as I can share, believe me, I will.
Just a comment on your tweet on Frozen:
funny how you classified it as survival horror
Until recently, that was usually reserved for games.
Cool how different media influence one another.
I’ve used ‘survival horror’ as a movie genre since I made ‘Wilderness’ few years ago. I had to give people a genre and that’s where I felt it belonged. I’ve never really thought that it was a game genre. Perhaps because I’m a gamer and film fan, those different genres all just mix together in my head.
VERY DUMB QUESTION HERE!, but anyway, i dont think you can answer this neither:
Is stanley coleman going to be in the movie in any form?
If he answers that, it would spoil the Brookhaven hospital side of the movie, because technically although you don’t see Stanley’s body he’s a pretty creepy character that acts almost stalkerishly to Heather, although he’s dead, so technically a ghost.
It’s that whole creepy disembodied voice thing. I would love to see that too.
Interesting SK hint Michael… The New World… I would welcome almost any new Kane film developments. However, I hope that a second film ends up in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness rather than Zuddas’ New World. BTW, did you ever get to use that cat-head stave I sent you to encourage any actors? Best Wishes, Matt
I did make use of the staff and it has a proud place in my office. Right now I’d love to see Kane in Africa and then make his way to the New World but ultimately, I think, we’re a little way off ever knowing if those stories will see the light of day.
I’m really excited with Silent Hill Revelation 3D, I guess it is the first film that I follow since its pre-production, so expectations are on top!
One of the things that right now I’m more interested on is the music, I’m very curious to see what songs will make part of the movie, I won’t be asking to tell it nor I expect you to do so, but I’d like to give a suggestion (suggestions don’t hurt), I don’t know if that part of the post-production is ready or not but I guess that “When You’re Gone” would make a BRILLIANT job on the credits, just like “You’re not here” did on the 1st movie.
Good luck man!
Manuel Carneiro
Hey Michael.
Just wanted to thank you for your advice on my short film, when you mentioned the importance of the shot list and storyboards.
It saved me 2nd day of filming actually.
Hopefully it will be online sometime in the future. Uncertain if it can since the college technically own it, but I know it will be going to some screenings and festivals hopefully.
Hope all is going well with SH:R, and anything else you’re writing or developing.
Thanks again.
Really glad it helped you. Let me know if you ever post it online and I’ll take a look.
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Silent Hill Revelation to have The Order as the antagonists | Rely on Horror said this on November 27, 2011 at 4:27 pm |
The only new what i want to read is a sequel to Solomon Kane or a Mini Series for HBO.
Today i saw the new Conan……jesus what a bad film.
From the cut,music,set-design,script,costumes,
director,Fx,and,and.
Solomon didn’t comes to the theater but this shit!???
I can not believe that Conan cost 70-90 mill.Dollar???
Sorry for my word but i’am angry because waiting for a good Conan movie for Years and now this mess.:(
I’am sure you made with this money a better movie.
Regards
Yeah it’s a little unfair that Solomon Kane never had a proper release, it made roughly 20 million outside the US in the countries it was released in, and as with most good films, when they do well in Europe they usually do well in the USA too, so I think Solomon Kane could of easily made 80 million in the box office.
Basically we’l likely never see a sequal to this awesome movie because of the utterly ridiculus release method.
I too think Solomon Kane is a much superior movie to Conan. Someone needs to fund a sequal.
Solomon Kane could do 80 million at the U.S box office? Not likely, mate
I didn’t say U.S Box office I said box office as in the box office in general.
It did really well outside of America, I seriously think it would of easily made back the cost invested in it had it been shown in America too.
I’am also sure that Solomon did make easy 80 million
international.
Bad is that there is nowhere a list how much Solomon made international with DVD and BluRay sales!?
I think the producers made there money back!
I don’t much like talking about box office on this blog. There’s loads of places online to analyse that kind of thing. The BluRay/DVD numbers are a closely guarded secret by the industry. Even I have no idea what the movies make and I’m supposed to be told. The online theatrical box office reporting sites are also somewhat inaccurate for independent releases.
Oh sorry about that Michael. I mostly mentioned because as said above I loved Solomon Kane and just feel had it had the treatment it deserved that maybe we would of seen more.
Stranger things have happened but even I’d admit it’d have to be VERY strange.
It’s sad that Conan wasn’t better and more successful but sometimes things just don’t come together as everyone hopes. If it had done better it would have helped Kane too. I’d love to make a TV series of his adventures. Give it the same power and complexity of Game of Thrones… but I’m not sure that’s ever likely to happen. And, besides, I don’t own any rights to Solomon Kane, so I have no say over what happens in the future.
Hello Michael,
i know you not the right holder of the Solomon Kane rights.
Trust me Solomon was a good movie and that the movie didn’t comes to the theater it’s not your should.
It was only a idea to make Solomon as a Series or Mini-Series and to use the movie as a pilot.
Sure i like more a new bigger nad better sequel (budget wise) Solomon Kane movie but it looks like the chance for it is small.
So i thought may be a concept like Solon Kane get a better chance on (pay) TV this day special with all the problems what R rated movies have this days.
But it must done on a high quality level.
Special when we see that horror and fantasy is hip at the moment.
Like Game of Thrones or Walking Dead.
Hope Sillent Hill make big money, so that you have the chance to make after it more dream projects what you have in your mind.
Regards and have a nice first advent.
But who knows? years after Sillent Hill (who i didn’t like) get a sequel!
Is there no way you can approach the rights holders for Solomon Kane and see if they can get an American Broadcaster to pick a Solomon Kane TV series up Michael?
Seems like no end of TV shows get picked up in America, most of which get cancelled after a season so there must be demand from broadcasters for a good, gritty series. Maybe someone like Starz would be interested? They do Spartacus.
Andy, I think all of you have said pretty much all there is to say about Conan – should have been awesome but sadly, not – but I can’t agree that everything from the sets to costumes, etc. sucked – i.e. those are the domain of what’s called “below the line” crew – not the screenwriters/producers/cast or director who are above. In fact, a few of those creative folk ended up working on a film everyone here is eagerly awaiting: yes Silent Hill Revelation. I don’t think any one of them worked on Conan thinking “I’d like to create a dog’s dinner – i.e. crap.” I know one of them from Steampunk events and trust me, he knows what he’s doing, not to mention he’s a super guy. I am sure when SHR comes out, their contributions will also contribute to its success.
I too wish Conan had turned out better and yes, had a different director/screenplay. I hope that’s not the end of the franchise but sometimes, even those working on a film with their whole heart/soul can’t save it from forces beyond their control.
Hello Caroline,
i’am sure that a lot of peoble behind the production try there best.
But i and a lot of friends who saw the movie together with me find the costumes and the weapons cheesy!
Or let me say it this way it looks not made for a big budget movie more like for a cheap made TV movie.
I don’t know where the problems was!?
Also the CGI sometime looks realy bad.
I know it’s frustrating special for the“below the line”crew who most of them don’t get a big paycheck
and work there ass off and see the result on screen.
For me the central problem is the leader crew.
I also feel realy sorry for Fredrik Malmberg from
Paradox Entertainment (right holder from Conan) it looks like he trust the wrong peoble for the project
(Nu Image Films, Millennium Films)!?
Sorry to say that again but you didn’t find that ”Game of Thrones” Or Solomon Kane
had higher quality looking costumes and weapons etc,etc with a lower budget!?
By the way i’am not a Silent Hill fan but i’am pretty sure the sequel will be better as the first one!:)
One of Michaels strength is for me he knows to write a script,so when he read a script may be he knows better what’s working or not in a script!?
Regards
Hey Andy – yes love GOT and don’t want to bore you with my love for SK – check former comments over last 2 yrs.
They were better for a multitude of reasons including the writing/directing so you are very astute to notice it does begin with the top tier people. As far as budgets, I guess it proves it’s not just about the money in the end. Wasn’t really comparing Conan to SK – it’s a lost cause really but just sticking up for those who did give their best to it regardless. Agree – heads should roll in the ole’ offices in Hollywood over Conan (ah didn’t mean to pun – that’s funny actually!).
I think the writer/director of Conan is guilty of not making the movie potentially suitable for all Adult movie goers.
Not saying it should of been tailor made to suit everyone but more they should of sat back and said is this really going to do well in Cinemas? Casting a critical eye over scenes and performances, and even the writing. More effort should of been done to make the movie *Perfect* enough to release to the masses.
If people find the issue to be the story, they should of sat back and said is this idea good enough?
Sometimes having some humility and admitting something you’ve done isn’t good enough whilst you have the time would work wonders.
If we’re comparing SK to Conan, I would say Soloman Kane is more entertaining and a good popcorn flic, something you can sit back and enjoy in the comfort of your living room, Conan, I guess not so much.
Micheal! I got to ask! I keep wondering about this and it bugs me but will there be monsters from Silent Hill 3!? Im a big fan of the monsters from SH3!
or can you not say. DX
That would just spoil things if I told you.
*sign* I guess you’re right. It’s just I never been so exicted for a movie like this before. Haha. Also will you release a directors cut at all?
Please do not give up on your idea of another Arthur movie. I can’t say I like the versions I’ve seen so far.
I agree. If you have a great Arthur idea stick with it, there’s always room for another Arthur movie lol.
If its anything like your Solomon Kane efforts it’d be a guarenteed success in the box office.
Great, more news. I am anxious like the rest to see how you manage to fit the story with the previous film, also I can not wait to see how the special effects look, especially the passages to the other world, I come to mind several passages of the game when Heather starts to experience this change, hopefully have been scenes like in the game, where the walls begin to bleed, and that burning sensation that seems to invade every corner.
This is going to sound strange, but I did not like a happy ending, but something more risky and always leaving something for the viewer’s interpretation. Always remember the first time I played Silent Hill 2 and got the final “In water”, where James ends up committing suicide at the end. I’d love an ending like “Possesed”, but of course this is only my opinion.
I actually preferred the “Leaving” ending. In my personal understanding, I don’t believe the purpose of Silent Hill’s existence, the purpose of it calling James, was to make him suicidal. The town itself will attempt to kill you as much as it can, but if you’re strong enough to escape, you escape enlightened.
I find it anti-climatic if James survived all of his inner demons and emotions only to succumb to suicide. Of course thats only my interpretation The thing I love most is how whatever ending you get first is always the one that makes the most sense to that particular person
Thank you so much for the Solomon Kane news!
I hope this wonderful film will get a release in theaters here in the U.S. or at the very least be released on DVD or streaming.
I was so looking forward to the sequels, as I love the Howard stories and I thought you (and, of course, James Purefoy) brought the character to life so beautifully.
Hey there Michael, I must say that I’m really looking forward to watch SHR, not only as a Silent Hill fan but also because I trust your work and I’m sure it will work pretty well. I’m very curious how you gave continuity to the last movie, when its end was kind of hard to create a sequel based on the 3rd Game. How did Sharon/Heather return to the normal world, and which is Radha’s future? One of the things that really made me think about this upcoming sequel was the fact that Sean Bean (Chris) would be Harry Mason, what about Rose? In the last movie she was “Harry”, did that change?
Congratulation for your excelent work, really looking forward to see this one too!
Bassett won’t answer that, since it would spoil the film. My personal theory is that Rose will die at some point before SHR’s events, either by committing suicide because she’s trapped by Alessa or due to a violent fight between her and Alessa that causes Alessa to snap and fatally wounding heer without meaning to. Either way, Alessa comes to realize that she was being selfish and cruel to Rose, and in her grief she represses her memory and returns to our world, where she reunites Chris. Cue Claudia’s meddling 8 years later and you have a plausible framework for a new film. I’m interested in seeing how Bassett will deal with the fact that Chris didn’t really care much for Sharon in the first film, as well as how Alessa will go from being selfish and a bit insane to being normal.
Thanks for the update! Always good to know that things are moving along. I may have said it before, but I’ll say it again: it’s really cool to hear about the process of film-making from your point of view.
SILENT NERD
Cool cool!
Hope the process is going well for you, and that you’re managing to get sleep!
Thanks for dealing with a rabid fanbase. You are brave.
I’m a little bit worried about lack of marketing for SH2, so many movies these days has release date long before shooting, and here we have a movie so far in post, and still nothing, no release date, no teaser trailer, not even a single poster.
That waiting for ANYTHING official is killing me.
I’ve a couple of questions, if you get any time to answer them.
Is the Order in SHR, or is it just the cult from the first film? Do you have an idea on the rating yet?
It is The Order and not the cult from SH1. And no, I don’t know what the rating will be – it depends what country you’re in.
It’s really awesome that you dug deep enough into Gans’ interviews to know the first film’s cult was never meant to be the Order. Most people just assume it’s the same cult. I wonder if the Gillespie family history of witches hinted at in the painting of Alessa’s ancestor being burned will come into play? *starts making theories*
By the way Michael, is Saint Mary’s going to be a big budget project like your previous films?
Just wondering when this film will be out if anything, I know its very early days but will you post info on the movie in the future on your blog for those of us interested in watching your next film?
Asking because I enjoyed your previous films.
By the way, good luck with your next movie, quite a few places are reporting about your next project.
Are they? Then they know more than I do because I have no idea what my next project is. There’s a bunch of stuff simmering but nothing getting ready to boil.
Oh, sorry the nearest confirmation I could find was this(It seems to list Saint Marys as being in Pre production?)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1068186/
Everything else seems to be from late 2010 and a scattering of reports from 2011 suggesting it was your next film *Shrug*
Never believe anything you read on the internet about me unless it’s from my blog and even then, take it all with a pinch of salt
Must admit I was hoping you were working on it, as I love your past movies it was something more to look forward too after Silent Hill lol
Saint Mary’s is just one of a number of projects I’ve got in development. It’s not one that I generated so is being run by the producers on it and I’m really waiting for them to focus on it again to see what’s to be done. It’s not anything I’m really concentrating on at the moment.
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Finally it must start to resemble a finished film which is exciting. The FX shots must take so much time for FX artists to design and create I’ve always admired that part of modern filmmaking. I have no doubt they’re going to be scary and chilling
Always happy to hear Solomon Kane news and hope this one leads to that awaited release over here – even with the delay, it will still make an impact and can only help S. Hill too in marketing terms of both having you as the director.
Agree with Cathy re: your Arthurian project. The demand for medieval/Arthurian legends will never expire as has been seen with Merlin/Camelot on tv (although Camelot has been cancelled I think) and this new film. The strong leads in it like Kit Harington who is a very talented young actor. can only lead to a desire for more. A darker version of the mythic roots of Arthur hasn’t really been explored in film so your story is already unique. Also the Mabinogion Arthurian tales cover the pd. just after the Romans left, so lots of room to work that era and no one tires of Romans or King Arthur lol.
Thanks for updating despite the busy schedule.
Glad to hear things are moving along nicely!
A few questions comes to mind though, if you don’t mind.
I’m fine with you not being able to comment on any release date, but are you allowed/able to say when your dead-line for finishing the film is? This way at least we’ll know it’s not out before this time…
Maybe this has been up before, if it has I’m sorry for asking again, but who is the DP on the film? I’d love to see more from Dan Laustsen as I thought he did a great job with the first SH, and I also remember you speaking fondly of him on the commentary for Solomon Kane (which also had a beautiful look by the way).
About the King Arthur dream, how about maybe doing something on the Cú Chulainn legends? With all the stuff going around with Arthur, Conan, and the greek myths, I can’t believe why nobody has ventured into those stories yet. Well, maybe they have and I just haven’t noticed. I just think there are some stories there well worth filming as well.
Cheers! (and don’t rush anything)
New monster?!?!
thats great!
I still have some faith for the numb body and the closer to appear
SERIOUSLY…I CANT WAIT TO SEE THE FINAL PRODUCT
The Solomon Kane news is really positive-there are many many people wanting to have the full theatrical experience of this great movie1
Thank you for the update Michael!
I can`t wait to see Adelaide Clemens as Heather role!
Yay! Some SK news. Looking forward to this …
It’s really good to know things are going well. I can’t wait for the trailer for Silent Hill, and hope good news for Solomon Kane.
Sounds like you are making great progress in the studio and hopefully you get things wrapped by Christmas, otherwise you may get to spend time in the Great White North come the New Year.
Don’t let another Arthurian story deter you from your long held ideas, it’s not like you are approaching your dotage and have no other films left in you. Just stick it on the back-burner for a few years and the time will roll around again in the future.
And good news for Solomon Kane, I hope.
Really bracing myself for a trailer that may feel garish and over the top, especially with all this warning about what producers like Carmody want to attract the mainstream audience in, but that’s just how it goes I guess in the world of marketing and I understand that. In a perfect world this would be about perfecting everything for the core audience that are going to see this more than once (and bring their friends and family), and playing it to them forever.
I can hope its at least as well put together as the trailer for the first film. There was definitely a tendency toward moody shots and use of music rather than frenetically edited scares and pacing, it captures the tone Gans was going for quite well. I hope what’s eventually put out there comes as close as it can toward representing the tone of this film as well. Everything spoken about and seen so far of the actual content seems wonderful and thankfully a bit darker/scarier in tone than the first film — and hopefully more faithful to the mythology!
Really looking forward to giving you a hearty “Great f’n job!” when some shots grace my eyes.
Thank you! I’ve waited this long…I shall continue to wait patiently. I have absolute faith in you!
Thank you for the update, director.
I’m glad you get to inject your opinions on the trailer cuts, and I hope whatever happens, you FIGHT as hard as you can to allow only a trailer that properly represents your film to come out! Nothing kills a movie faster than a cheated audience.
As a die hard Silent Hill fan and an aspiring film maker, I can surely say it sounds like you poured a lot into this movie! I have tons of faith and I’m sitting on the edge of my chair reading every update hoping for great news like you always give. Thanks Michael!
Sounds like things are going swell! You did your part, now it is time for the others (distributers, etc.) to fo theirs. I hope everything turns out great and that many people will see this film you’ve worked so hard on for everyone!!!