Horror Highlights: SPIDER-MAN 2099, STOPMOTION, THE WAIT, AWARENESS

BEWARE THE HORRORS OF 2099 IN NEW MIGUEL O’HARA – SPIDER-MAN 2099 SERIES!: “This January, the 2099 revolution continues! Following his acclaimed work in Spider-Man 2099: Exodus and Spider-Man 2099: Dark Genesis, writer Steve Orlando returns to everyone’s favorite dystopian future, and this time, he’s bringing all sorts of horrors along for the ride!

Featuring artwork by a host of industry talent including superstar artists and exciting Marvel newcomers, MIGUEL O’HARA – SPIDER-MAN 2099 is a five-part limited series that will hit stands weekly throughout January. Kick start the new year with Marvel 2099’s greatest defender and Spider-Verse icon Miguel O’Hara as he slays his way through 2099 versions of classic Marvel horror characters. Amidst the monstrous showdowns, Orlando and his collaborators will continue to revitalize the world of 2099 for a new age with bold worldbuilding and fascinating new takes on Marvel heroes.

Influenced by cyberpunk and set in a harsh corporate-run society, 2099 has held a special place in the Marvel multiverse and in fan’s hearts for over thirty years. Discover what awaits during Marvel’s next venture into this strange world!

BEWARE – MARVEL ZOMBIE: 2099! In MIGUEL O’HARA – SPIDER-MAN 2099 #1, Steve Orlando and artist Devmalya Pramanik kick things off with the introduction of the MARVEL ZOMBIE of 2099, as Miguel O’Hara teams up with BLADE 2099 to take on this horrific new threat to Nueva York. Behold the Marvel Zombie of 2099! He lives! He strikes! And no spider can hold him! Will Spider-Man be able to stop the ever-evolving zombie infection before it takes hold of his mother and the citizens of the Barrio?

BEWARE – THE LUNAR TOMB OF DRACULA! In MIGUEL O’HARA – SPIDER-MAN 2099 #2, Orlando and Michael Dowling bring back Dracula! The moon is under attack, and Spider-Man must team up with Moon Knight 2099 to save it. And our celestial web-slinger is going to need some new armor to get through it all!

BEWARE – WEREWOLF UNLEASHED! In MIGUEL O’HARA – SPIDER-MAN 2099 #3, Orlando and artist Jason Muhr deliver an over-the-top Monster Mash for the 100^th legacy issue of Spider-Man 2099. Cursed by blood — it’s WEREWOLF BY 2099! Spider-Man must take on this new cursed soul in a no-holds-barred battle!

BEWARE – TOMORROW’S TERROR INCORPORTED! In MIGUEL O’HARA – SPIDER-MAN 2099 #4, Orlando and artist Chris Campana bring Terror back to his horrific roots. Spider-Man must go up against THE NEW TERROR INC. and body parts will fly! Can Spider-Man get Terror to finally change his ways?

BEWARE – REBIRTH OF THE MAN-THING! In MIGUEL O’HARA – SPIDER-MAN 2099 #5, Orlando and artist Stefano Raffaele introduce 2099’s version of Man-Thing when Spider-Man must find a way to save the lives (and data) of the people of Nueva York from the monster’s burning touch! What does this new shambling monstrosity mean for the future of Nueva York? Also featuring the return of the Specialist!

“Returning to 2099 has been a blast, especially with the chance to do this series of one-shots crashing Miguel up against some of Marvel’s greatest horror icons–all of whom are newly debuting in 2099!” Orlando said. “I can’t think of a better reality to work in than the world of 2099–that dark, neon projection of our own modern day. And no matter the horror coming in the series, Spider-Man 2099 is set to defend his city and his people—whether it’s with a gravity-defying moon shot, an infestation of next-generation zombies, or helping a mercenary werewolf finally cut his leash!”

In addition, Nick Bradshaw will once again grace 2099 with his outstanding cover work! Check out all five MIGUEL O’HARA – SPIDER-MAN 2099 covers now and witness the startling new Marvel 2099 epic this January! For more information, visit Marvel.com.”

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IFC FILMS ACQUIRES PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR “STOPMOTION” AHEAD OF ITS WORLD PREMIERE AT FANTASTIC FEST: “IFC Films announced today it has acquired North American and select International rights to the psychological horror STOPMOTION, ahead of its world premiere at Fantastic Fest this September. IFC Films will release STOPMOTION in theaters in 2024, followed by a streaming debut on Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium service for horror, thriller and the supernatural.

Directed by Robert Morgan, STOPMOTION stars Aisling Franciosi (GOD’S CREATURES, THE NIGHTINGALE) as Ella Blake, a stop-motion animator who is struggling to control her demons after the loss of her overbearing mother. Suddenly alone in the world, she embarks upon the creation of a macabre new puppet film, which soon becomes the battleground for her sanity. As Ella’s mind starts to fracture, the characters in her animated film take on a terrifying life of their own, and the unleashed power of her imagination threatens to destroy her.

“IFC and Shudder are ecstatic to bring Robert Morgan’s riveting live-action/animation hybrid to audiences everywhere. STOPMOTION is excellent as it weaves together a unique, psychological-horror with unbelievable visuals” said Head of AMC Networks’ Film Group Scott Shooman. “The film joins the ranks of critically acclaimed titles such as Mad God and The Wolf House– breaking ground for how we perceive stop-motion in horror. We are thrilled to distribute Morgan’s first full-length feature for its theatrical release and presence on our streaming platform, Shudder.”

“IFC’s superb back catalogue speaks for itself, and Shudder’s embracing of the weirder and distinctive side of horror cinema means this is the perfect home for my first feature,” said director/co-writter, Robert Morgan. “I’m thrilled to be teaming up with them, and I’m excited to share STOPMOTION with audiences very soon.”

The film is written by Robert Morgan and Robin King, and produced by Alain de la Mata and Christopher Granier-Deferre of BlueLight.

STOPMOTION joins an impressive lineup of AMC Film Group’s titles premiering at this year’s Fantastic Fest, including WHEN EVIL LURKS (IFC/Shudder), INFESTED (Shudder), THE SACRIFICE GAME (Shudder) SUITABLE FLESH (RLJE), V/H/S/85 (Shudder) and the recently announced YOU’LL NEVER FIND ME (Shudder)

The deal was negotiated by Eva Diederix (Head of Sales) and Isabelle Denis (Head of Legal) for Goodfellas and Scott Shooman on behalf of IFC Films.”

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THE WAIT: “Following a world premiere at Germany’s Oldenburg Film Festival, Fantastic Fest has the North American premiere of F. Javier Gutierrez’s third feature film The Wait (La Espera). The rural thriller from the director of Before the Fall and Rings will bow in Austin at the largest genre film festival in the US, specializing in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, and action movies from all around the world. After Oldenburg and Fantastic Fest, The Wait will make its Spanish premiere at the Sitges Film Festival.”

The Wait is produced by Gutierrez’s Unfiled Productions, Nostromo Pictures (Buried, Penny Dreadful), and Spal Films (Before the Fall). The folk horror tragedy stars Victor Clavijo (Before the Fall), Ruth Diaz, Manuel Moron, and Luis Callejo (Below Zero). Film Factory is handling international sales.

The Wait, set in the remote, magical, and forgotten Andalusian countryside has been described as a “love letter to the horror/fantasy genre,” as well as Gutiérrez’s “most intimate and brutal film” to date.

Gutierrez shares: “After Rings, I felt the need to return to Europe, to Spain, to Andalucía, and shoot something personal. As a good friend told me once, “one for them, one for me, for my soul”. The Wait belongs to the latter. No doubt, this film brings me back to my roots, my land, my memories, my most personal storytelling, along with my childhood nightmares. As I did in Before the Fall, beneath the story, I push the boundaries, to go deeper, through layers, symbols, exploring once again the complexity, darkness, beauty and weakness of our human nature. Death. Grief. Guilt… All disguised as a disturbing folk horror, brutal, uncompromised, with the soul of a western. That’s The Wait. A suffocating step towards the edge, into our inner fears. No answers. No mercy. Too harsh? Maybe. But you know, to see a candle’s light, one must take it into a dark place.”

The Wait (La Espera) at Fantastic Fest:

Festival & Screening Details

Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar

Saturday, September 23, 2023 7:55 PM CDT

Theater 7

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 11:30 PM CDT

Theater 4

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AWARENESS: “Today, Prime Video released the official trailer for the highly anticipated Spanish Original sci-fi film Awareness directed by Daniel Benmayor (Xtremo, Tracers, Bruc) and starring Carlos Scholz (Toy Boy, Feria: La luz más oscura), Pedro Alonso (Money Heist, El ministerio del tiempo), María Pedraza (Toy Boy, Élite), Óscar Jaenada (Operación Marea Negra, Hernán) and Lela Loren (American Gods, Altered Carbon). Awareness will be screened during the Sitges Film Festival and will premiere on October 11 exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide as part of the Amazon Prime subscription.

Ian, a rebellious teenager living on the outskirts of society, can manipulate minds with his ability to generate visual illusions. He uses this power to survive running small, indiscreet, scams. When one of his cons goes awry, his abilities publicly spiral out of control and Ian becomes the target of two rival organizations, each seeking to exploit his powers.

Awareness is produced by Federation Spain, led by Juan Solá and Nacho Manubens, with Mark Albela as executive producer and Dbenma Content with Daniel Benmayor as producer and director. Benmayor is also in charge of the script alongside Iván Ledesma.”