The filmmakers behind Hulu's Hellraiser reboot auditioned RuPaul's Drag Race finalist Gottmik for the role of Pinhead. The film franchise officially began in 1987, which was based on Clive Barker's 1986 The Hellbound Heart. The series generated a massive cult following and several sequels over the years. After being in development for quite some time, it has been announced that Hulu will be releasing the Hellraiser reboot. The film will be directed by David Bruckner (The Night House) and written by Clive Barker, Ben Collins, David S. Goyer, and Luke Piotrowski.
RuPaul's Drag Race is a reality television show that features drag queens who compete for the title of America's next drag superstar, among other prizes. The show began in 2009 and has now had thirteen seasons of the main series. However, it has inspired spin-offs including RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars and franchises in other countries with more on the way. At the time of writing, season 13's Gottmik is the only transgender man to compete on the show. She uses she/her pronouns when referring to the Gottmik drag persona and he/him pronouns when out of drag. In the season 13 finale, she wore a Pinhead-inspired runway look for the Black & White category. While she didn't win the season, she successfully made it to the finale.
In an interview with EW, Gottmik talked about the audition earned after the season 13 finale. The filmmakers behind the Hellraiser reboot reached out to the drag queen to audition for the part of Pinhead. However, Gottmik didn't earn the part, but understood their reasoning. Gottmik noted that she still wants to be a part of the series, even if it's just on the red carpet. See below for the full comment:
"When they saw my Hellraiser [look], they gave me the audition for Pinhead. I did [go on tape]! But I wasn't menacing enough! I had to read a bunch, I was in my apartment, against the wall, full-on trying to be Pinhead, pretending to pull needles out of my head, just going in! It was so funny! I wanted to be Pinhead more than anything in my soul, but, also, I'm like, I get that! I mean, at least let me walk on the carpet in that look! I'll make a new one! I just want to be there. I'll just be in the background next to Pinhead!"
RuPaul's Drag Race has become a mainstream television show, although it remains to be particularly popular within the LGBTQIA+ community. The horror genre is commonly referred to in the competition show, especially within many of the queens' runway looks. However, The Boulet Brothers' DRAGULA is more pointed towards horror-related drag. With the two so closely aligned, it's exciting to see that the opportunity was given. It was previously reported that Odessa A'Zion has been cast as a gender-swapped Pinhead. It'll be interesting to see this re-imagining of the iconic character.
Given the fact that Gottmik's Black & White Pinhead runway look stunned audiences around the world, it isn't too surprising that the filmmakers behind Hellraiser were curious. Those who watched RuPaul's Drag Race season 13 will know that Gottmik has an infectious personality that wouldn't quite gel for a role like Pinhead. Even if this particular opportunity didn't work out for Gottmik, hopefully the Hellraiser reboot ends up bringing the franchise back into audiences' good graces after some atrocious sequels.
Source: EW