Exclusive Update: The Killer Shrews are Back with a Vengeance

Word is that principal photography has wrapped on Steve Latshaw's long-awaited sequel/re-boot to the 1959 cult classic B-flick, The Killer Shrews -- the appropriately named Return of the Killer Shrews, which returns to the screen the character of Captain Thorne Sherman as played by original star James Best. The film is now in the important post-production stage, with the FX currently the main focus. Here Best visits SILO, the folk in charge of creating the titular beasties:

As you can see from the poster above, the film stars, apart from Best, such notables as John Schneider (best known for his role in Dukes of Hazzard and for his defining performance as Jonathan Kent in Smallville), seen here on set with Best:

Here Schneider talks about the experience: John Schneider on the set of Killer Shrews.

Also on board is Bruce Davison (Willard, X-Men, Kingdom Hospital and much else besides):

Here Davison has his say: Bruce Davison speaks about the Killer Shrews.

It was recently announced that Dean Torrance (of Jan and Dean fame) and Bruce Davison have recorded the song “Shrewd Awakening” together (written by composer for the film, Gary Griffin, and David Beard), a song that is to be featured on the soundtrack Return Of The Killer Shrews. (Source: Examiner)

Behind The Scenes:

Producer Dorothy Best here discusses the genesis of the Shrew sequel:

Check out these similar behind-the-scenes videos from the other members of the cast: 

Jennifer Lyons

Katherine Randolph

Patrick Moran (writer, producer and actor)

Holly Weber

Shaun Andrew Easter

Sean Flynn

David Browning

James Best told Undead Backbrain that they should have a trailer available very soon and will send it to us as soon as it's finished. As for the film's release, they have a broker going to AFM, the film market, on November 1-6.  "Hopefully we'll get some good reactions,"he added.

More pictures from the production can be seen on the film's Facebook page.

• Sources: James and Dorothy Best via Avery Guerra. Written by Robert Hood
• Previous Backbrain articles:  First Details; Update 1; Casting Details; Update 2.

Comedy on the Set of Return of the Killer Shrews

Anyone who reads either of the Undead Backbrain sites should know by now that a sequel/remake of the 1959 el cheapo horror film The Killer Shrews is currently in production. If not, you can catch up at the links at the end of the article.

It's being directed by Steve Latshaw and stars James Best (reprising his role from the 1959 film):

Also starring is John Schneider (ex-Duke of Hazzard and Clark Kent's father in Smallville), Sean Flynn (grandson of Errol), Jennifer Lyons (Desperate Housewives) and Bruce Davison (X-Men and a million other things), among others. Below James Best talks about the film:

Filming has been going on and though we have no clips for you yet, we do have some on-set comedy and song from Best:

Gallery of production shots:

Links to previous articles:

• Exclusive Details
• Update
• Exclusive: Casting Update

Sources: Website; Facebook page; via Avery Guerra. Written by Robert Hood.

Exclusive: Casting for The Return of the Killer Shrews

Undead Backbrain's report on the production of a sequel to Ray Kellogg's 1959 B-horror cult classic, The Killer Shrews, was greeted rather warmly, so we're happy to report that we have some exclusive news on the casting of Return of the Killer Screws, co-written by Pat Moran and original cast member James Best, and directed by Steve Latshaw. To save time, we offer you the unexpurgated press release, which is mainly concerned to announce the casting of "a new generation of Hollywood royalty", namely Errol Flynn's grandson, Sean Flynn:

Press Release:

Coal Train Productions and Generic Filmgroup announced today that former Teen Idol SEAN FLYNN, fresh from his long-running role as Chase on Nickelodeon's Zoey 101, will be co-starring in his first adult role in Return of the Killer Shrews. Flynn's role as Derek will utilize his comedic skills first honed on the popular Teen TV series and provide added thrills to his large TV fan base. Return of the Killer Shrews, set on a mysterious island in the gulf of Mexico, places Flynn in a modern-day horror setting, but with a touch of blood-drenched comic mayhem ala Shaun of the Dead and the slightest flavor of retro Tiki exotica ala the great Drive-in horror flicks of the 1950s and 1960s. And Flynn even gets a chance to use his considerable charm, like his famous Grandfather, Errol Flynn.

Co-Producer Dorothy Collier-Best is very happy with this new bit of casting. "I am so pleased to have Sean Flynn on board. His family history and youthful exuberance is a perfect match for this retro project."

In his stellar career, co-star James Best literally walked in Errol Flynn's shoes. "Sean's Grandfather was a hero of mine. I was honored to have worn many of his clothes in movies; every time I turned around there was the name 'Flynn' emblazoned on the collar. Now I am honored to be working with his grandson."

Other cast members joining Sean Flynn include John Schneider, fresh from "Desperate Housewives," "Hot In Cleveland" and "Smallville," Jennifer Lyons ("Valley Peaks," "Desperate Housewives," "Transylmania") and country legend Mel Tillis ("Beer For My Horses," "Cannonball Run" movies).

Director Steve Latshaw, who recently collaborated as screenwriter with Dolph Lundgren on the hit action thriller, Command Performance, is equally excited about working with the young Flynn. "I'm certainly thrilled about working with a new generation of actor from this extraordinary family. But I'm even more excited about taking full advantage of Sean's strong sense of comic timing and considerable on-screen charisma, honed from years of film and television work."

Return of the Killer Shrews goes before the cameras in May, with release scheduled for next year.

• Source: Dorothy and James Best via Avery Guerra
  

Update: Return of the Killer Shrews

Following on from the Undead Backbrain article about Steve Latshaw's re-boot/sequel to a dodgy movie from 1959 whose title you can guess, we give you a shorter synopsis and links to the newly launched website. It stars the original film's lead, James Best.

Synopsis:

A TV Reality Show hires CAPTAIN THORNE SHERMAN (James Best) and his boat to cargo supplies to the deserted offshore island they're using as a filming location. Thorne would have normally refused the job because he's been to that island before and stills sees it in his nightmares. Unfortunately, he needs the money and he's not getting much business these days. Together with his first mate ROOK (Rick Hurst), they sail -- to a place Thorne Sherman never wanted to see again as long as he lived: the island of the KILLER SHREWS.

As the TV crew and two-fisted animal expert JOHNNY RENO (John Schneider) shoot their reality show, some of the cast and crew go missing, attacked and eaten in a bloody feeding frenzy by strange creatures. But tough as nails Producer STELLA, sleazy Director WILLARD and manipulative Writer LENORA couldn't care less about the human cost. They are ruthlessly focused on getting their show in the can, regardless of the body count. Only cute young camera operator MICKEY (Jennifer Lyons) and her on-again off-again boyfriend SAM grow concerned about their vanished friends. And Captain Thorne grows uneasy. Only he knows that the island holds hidden danger. Only he knows why people are dying. Once again, the place is crawling with giant Killer Shrews, the result of a 50-year-old experiment gone terribly wrong. And time is running out to get off the island before they all turn into bloody Shrew bait.

• Website: http://www.killershrewsmovie.com/
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Source: Steve Latshaw via Avery Guerra.