Deathstalker, the upcoming remake of the Roger Corman-produced 1983 sword-and-sorcery cult classic from Steven Kostanski (Frankie Freako, PG: Psycho Goreman), has been picked up by Shout! Studios for theatrical release across English-language territories.
Daniel Bernhardt (John Wick, The Matrix Reloaded) stars as the titular warrior, with Patton Oswalt (Young Adult, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire) providing the voice of the benevolent wizard Doodad (both of whom can be seen below). A official synopsis reads:
The Kingdom of Abraxeon lies under siege by the Dreadites, who are looking to resucitate the long-dead sorcerer Nekromemnon, which would spell Abraxeon’s annihilation. Taking a cursed amulet from a dead Prince on a battlefield, Deathstalker teams with Doodad to rid himself of the medallion as he’s marked by dark magick and hunted by monstrous assassins.
Per Variety, who reported the news exclusively earlier today, Kostanski's Deathstalker retains all the practical charm of James Sbardellati's original film, including “a fanged harpy faced drone to a two-headed troll, a stone robot, man-eating snakes and a PigMan”, plus creature suits, prosthetics and stop-motion animation from Kostanski's own Action Pants FX shop.
Variety also confirms that the multi-territory distribution deal was made with Raven Banner Entertainment, who will handle worldwide sales. Although no release date has yet been confirmed, Variety details that Shout! Studios plans a strategic launch of the movie across all major entertainment platforms, starting with a U.S. theatrical release later this year following the film’s festival run. Raven Banner Releasing will release in Canada day and date with Shout!
Jordan Fields, SVP of Acquisitions and Originals at Shout!'s Radial Entertainment, had this to say of the acquisition:
“Steve is one of the most fiercely creative filmmakers working today and his love for this IP and genre oozes from every frame […] Deathstalker is catnip for fans of the Dungeons and Dragons staples — thrilling battles, sly humor, offbeat creatures and thoughtful lore. Daniel Bernhardt is pitch perfect in a role he was born to play. Roger Corman would have marveled at what Steve, Daniel and Hangar 18 have accomplished here, and we predict the film will earn a devoted following very quickly.”
Deathstalker premieres at the 78th Locarno Film Festival next month. Look out for more as we get it!
