By MICHAEL GINGOLD
Well, this is appropriate.
Hammer Films and Studios, the British production house that revitalized (and brought a new explicitness to) the horror genre starting in the late ’50s with the likes of THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN and HORROR OF DRACULA, has announced its acquisition by renowned British entertainment producer John Gore. Having won 20 Tony, Emmy and Olivier Awards over the course of his career, the head of the John Gore Organisation–which owns Broadway.com and Broadway Across America–will take over as Chairman and CEO of Hammer. He’ll lead a new team that, according to the PR, “will breathe new life into the studio, blending the nostalgic charm of Hammer with modern cinematic style and innovation–all the while preserving its rich heritage and vast library, ensuring continued appreciation by generations to come.”
“Ever since I was a young boy,” Gores says, “I’ve been enchanted by the magic of Hammer Films. Its stories, its characters and its unique place in British heritage and cinema have been a source of inspiration and wonder. Today, as I stand at the helm of this iconic studio, my commitment is twofold: to celebrate and preserve the unmatched legacy of Hammer and to usher in a new era of storytelling that captivates audiences worldwide. With significant investment and a fresh creative vision, we will ensure that the spirit of Hammer not only endures but thrives in the modern age.”
A slate of movies and other projects will be revealed in the coming months; the first film of this new incarnation of Hammer is B Good Picture Company’s DOCTOR JEKYLL, directed by Joe Stephenson, starring Eddie Izzard and coming later this year.
