A new behind-the-scenes photo has given fans their first official look at Death (William Sadler) on the set of Bill & Ted Face the Music. The titular pair, played by Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves and known collectively on-screen as the rock band Wyld Stallyns, first debuted in 1989's Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. On the verge of failing high school, they were aided by a man named Rufus (George Carlin). Announcing himself as from the future, he revealed that together they were destined to write the music upon which a peaceful, utopian world would one day be formed. Gifted with a time-traveling phone booth, Bill and Ted journeyed through history in order to guarantee they passed their final test and ensure they weren't separated. The film was a surprise hit, prompting the 1991 sequel, Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey.
Sadler debuted as the character of Death in the latter. Pursued by a number of threatening forces, Bill & Ted literally went to Hell and beyond. The duo encountered Sadler's Grim Reaper in the afterlife. In an effort to return to the land of the living, they engaged him in a selection of challenges. In a subversion of the traditional trope where Chess is the game of choice, the duo opted instead for such modern games as Battleship and Twister. Easily defeating Death, he ultimately followed them back to Earth - first as their unwitting servant and then as a willing member of the band. Sadler's return was confirmed earlier this year.
Returning co-writer Ed Solomon took to Twitter to celebrate that return with two side-by-side photos. The first, as described by Solomon, is a behind-the-scenes shot from Bogus Journey, in which the aforementioned game of Twister is in full swing. The second photo was apparently taken only last month, revealing Sadler in full color (and full make-up) as he took a lunch break. The post has already drawn responses from fans quick to point out that the actor barely seems to have aged. Check it out in the space below:
Solomon penned the script alongside fellow original Bill & Ted writer Chris Matheson. The third installment saw Galaxy Quest's Dean Parisot, however, step in to direct. Sadler isn't the only supporting cast member returning. Hal Landon Jr. and Amy Stoch have already been confirmed to be reprising the roles of Ted’s father (police chief Chet Logan) and both character's one-time stepmom, Missy, respectively. They will be joined by such newcomers as Brigette Lundy-Paine and Ready or Not's Samara Weaving - who will play the titular duo's grown-up daughters - as well as Barry's Anthony Carrigan as the film's villain. In a follow-up tweet, Solomon singled out Sadler's performance in the new film as "tremendous".
Some fans will no doubt be disappointed that it's not a photo from within the context of the story itself. Others, however, will no doubt be happy at the further sign that not only is the film happening, but that everything is coming together in a satisfactory fashion to all involved. After all, a third installment had previously been a cult film fan's pipe dream over the last few decades. For a time, it appeared as though it was destined to remain in development hell. Since the official announcement, though, everything has snowballed quickly. And with production officially wrapped earlier this month, fans will hopefully get some actual Bill & Ted Face the Music footage - of both Death and the rest of the gang - sooner rather than later.
Source: Ed Solomon
