Rob Zombie's 3 From Hell, the long-awaited, unexpected sequel to House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects, finally has an official theatrical release date as well as a gripping poster that hearkens back to '70s and '80s-era horror films. For Zombie, this project is "a long time coming."
3 From Hell will be the next entry in the story that Zombie has been telling ever since 2003's House of 1000 Corpses first introduced the world to the murderous, deranged Firefly family of serial killers. Acting as the main antagonists of that film, the family stalked, tortured, and murdered a band of teenagers on Halloween night in 1977. In 2005's The Devil's Rejects, the family faced off against the police officers who come after them, torturing, maiming, raping, and murdering their way to freedom. Though The Devil's Rejects ended with what seemed to be certain doom for the family, that was not the end of the story. Three members of the family are back as the central characters of 3 From Hell.
According to Bloody Disgusting, the Firefly family will return when 3 From Hell, a collaboration between Zombie, Lionsgate, and Saban Films, reaches theaters this September. The site provided a look at the film's retro horror-inspired poster, featuring stark black and white print-like images and bloody red text with the tagline, "The Evil Returns", at the bottom. Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, and Sheri Moon Zombie all reprise their roles as the three remaining members of the Firefly family, Captain Spaulding, Otis, and Baby Firefly, respectively. Danny Trejo also returns as Rondo, one of the "Unholy Two" sent to bring in the family. Rounding out the cast is Clint Howard, Austin Stoker, Daniel Roebuck, Jeff Daniel Phillips, Dot-Marie Jones, Dee Wallace, and David Ury.
The film will run for three nights, September 16, 17, and 18, in 900 select theaters through Fathom Digital Broadcast Network. Each screening will have bonus content and be screened uncut through Fathom Events. The screening on the 16th will feature a special introduction video from Zombie himself, as well as a free collectible poster for the first 50 attendees at each theater while supplies last. On the 17th, the film will screen with a 30 minute behind-the-scenes featurette. Finally, on the 18th, audiences can experience a double feature of The Devil's Rejects and 3 From Hell together.
Despite Zombie's divisive record as a horror director, The Devil's Rejects is regarded as a cult classic. As an entry in the era of what was called "torture porn" horror films, so named because of the long scenes of gratuitous violence inflicted by sadists, it aimed for a grittier kind of blood-soaked terror. Unlike their contemporaries Saw and Hostel, Zombie's House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects have been smaller box office draws that typically only attract hardcore horror enthusiasts. The audience may be smaller, but it's still a passionate one that has responded positively to news of another entry in the Firefly family mythos.
The poster for 3 From Hell looks like it fully embraces its roots as a spiritual successor and evolution of violent '70s and '80s horror exploitation films like I Spit on Your Grave and Cannibal Holocaust. It's simple and pulpy, but just sinister enough to work. 3 From Hell is poised to be less of a standard small film release and more of an event for all the gore-lovers who can't wait to see who the Firefly family kills next.
3 From Hell will screen on September 16, 17, and 18, in select theaters.
Source: Bloody Disgusting