Fans of extreme horror have a new project to keep an eye on. Damien Leone, the filmmaker responsible for the wildly successful Terrifier franchise, is officially moving forward with his next original horror movie, Tortures of the Damned, and he’s bringing a horror legend along for the ride.
Lionsgate has acquired the upcoming film, which Leone will write, direct, and produce. While story details are being kept tightly under wraps, the title alone suggests audiences should prepare for something dark, brutal, and unapologetically intense.
Considering Leone is the creator of Art the Clown, it’s probably safe to assume this won’t be a gentle horror experience.
The project marks Leone’s first original feature following the success of the Terrifier series. Before diving into Tortures of the Damned, he’ll first complete work on Terrifier 4, which is currently in pre-production.
What makes this announcement even more exciting for horror fans is the involvement of Sam Raimi, who will produce alongside Rob Tapert through their Ghost House Pictures banner. Both filmmakers built their careers by creating memorable low-budget horror films that connected with audiences in a big way. Leone carved out his own path with Terrifier, while Raimi launched his career with the iconic Evil Dead.
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president Erin Westerman shared her enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying:
“We’re incredibly proud and excited to be partnering with Damien Leone on his first original film after the beloved ‘Terrifier’ series. I join the huge contingency of horror fans — and Damien fans — inside Lionsgate who have been following his work and cheering him on.
“Damien is a true genre auteur with a singular vision, and we’re thrilled to help bring this bold new project to the screen while continuing to build on the incredible connection he has with fans around the world.”
Leone has become one of horror’s most interesting success stories. Along with directing all of the Terrifier films, he also wrote and directed All Hallows’ Eve, helping establish the twisted world that eventually introduced Art the Clown to a much larger audience.
Raimi remains just as busy. In addition to producing Tortures of the Damned, he’s attached to direct and produce a remake of the horror classic Magic for Lionsgate. His recent projects have continued to show his passion for the genre that helped make him a household name.
At this point, the mystery surrounding Tortures of the Damned may be part of the fun. With Leone finally stepping away from the Terrifier universe for an original story and Raimi helping bring it to life, horror fans have every reason to be curious about what nightmare these filmmakers are cooking up next.
