User:Digmecolder/Phantasm 5

Phantasm 5 (aka: Phantasm V, Phantasm’s End, Phantasm 1999, Phantasm 1999 A.D. and Phantasm 2012 A.D.) is a proposed sequel and final installment to the Phantasm

series directed by Don Coscarelli.  The film has been in limbo since Phantasm IV: Oblivion was released in 1998.  The film has also been subject many to rumors and speculation concerning actual plot details and whether or not filming was or will actually take place.

Plot

Plot details have been nothing more than rumor and speculation from fans involving Reggie and Mike’s final battle over the Tall man while Mike tries to fight off the haunting connection he has with the Tall Man.

Production History

The production history of Phantasm V has been riddled with rumor and speculation since Phantasm Oblivion. Roger Avary had written a script entitled “Phantasm 1999” which was approved by Coscarelli, cast and crew. Since the filmakers had trouble finding a studio to produce/finance the film, the script was shelved and Phantasm Oblivion was made as a precursor to the script Avary had written. The script was also said to have Bruce Campbell having a significant role in the film. Mutterings of the fifth film were heard all throughout the the early 2000’s but still no film was actually made or had started production. A video however did surface on the internet called the Alamo Drafthouse Tribute video which included what was clearly newer footage of the Tall Man (Angus Scrimm) and Mike (A. Michael Baldwin). The video further led people to believe that Phantasm V was in the works but still nothing surfaced. As 2007 came it was official that director Don Coscarelli had taken on a sequel to his film Bubba Ho-Tep entitled “Bubba Nosferatu: Curse of the She Vampires” and purchased the rights to “John Dies at the End” and filmed “incident on and off a Mountain Road” (with an appearance by Angus Scrimm). These projects further placed Phantasm V into a cloudy future. Videos on youtube surfaced with the cast and characters offering the possibility of a sequel but that nothing was in the works at the moment but that anything was possible in the future.

Roger Avary's "Phantasm 1999"

Roger Avary’s script was written after Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead. It focused on The Tall Man bringing the United States to ruin now only consisting of two states. California (the west coast) and New York (the east coast) with nothing but wasteland and plague in between. The Tall Man has taken up sanctuary in the Mormon Mausoleum and the “Bag Plague” has been thriving all through out the country with the Tall Man’s dwarfs and zombies running rampant. The government decides to take action after discovering the tall man’s portal and simultaneously Reggie goes looking for Mike and joins up with the army to fight off the Tall man once and for all. The script was deemed too expensive and had trouble finding a studio that would finance it. It was also said to have a significant role for actor Bruce Campbell which was met with very positive reception from fans of the series.

The Alamo Drafthouse

The Alamo Drafthouse Tribute video surfaced on youtube. It showed actor Angus Scrimm (not in complete costume) as the Tall Man and A. Michael Baldwin (in no costume) reciting lines reversed from Phantasm II and wherein the Tall Man tries to convine Mike that it is all just a game and Michael holds a gun to his head and says “No, it’s not.” the Phantasm theme is heard throughout the sequence with the final shot cutting to black as a gunshot is heard. We then see Don Coscarelli watching the sequence from a computer and paying tirbute to the Alamo Drafthouse.

Future

The Future of the film still remains uncertain but rumors seem to be abound again more recently in 2010. Interviews have surfaced talking about the film’s possibility. Along with the Phantasm5.com site now backup with nothing but a simple black background and the number “5” in the center of the screen. the URL changes to http://www.klyza.com/5.html which presumably is in reference to John Klyza a webmaster and loyal fan to the series. This sparks the idea that new life may be circulating through the Phantasm series and with the announcement by Don Coscarelli himself that no remakes were to be made. It seems possible that Phantasm may have it’s well deserved finale. In what way or when is yet to be seen.

References

http://www.thedeadbolt.com/news/105248/reggiebannister_interview.php http://www.horrorsquad.com/2009/08/28/is-a-new-phantasm-project-closer-than-previously-thought/ http://www.iconvsicon.com/2009/07/28/30-years-of-phantasm-reggie-bannister-interview-200/

External links

http://www.horror-movies.ca/Forum/viewtopic.php?id=2189* example.com http://www.aintitcool.com/node/5369 http://www.angelfire.com/id/newssection/phantasm1999.html