Fred Olen Ray is ready to carve into Jack-O 2: Blood Moon Rising
Fred Olen Ray is known as one of the great B-movie makers, a reputation he has earned over a career that stretches back to the end of the 1970s and includes more than 165 directing credits. Ray has also produced over 100 movies, including the 1995 “killer pumpkinhead scarecrow” movie Jack-O, which was directed by Steve Latshaw from a script by Patrick Moran that was based on a story crafted by Ray and Brad Linaweaver. Jack-O has gained a cult following over the decades – and now, thirty years after the film’s release, Ray has announced that he’s returning to the concept with Jack-O 2: Blood Moon Rising.
If you need a refresher, Jack-O had the following synopsis: On Halloween night the spirit of Mister Jack, The Pumpkin Man rises from its long forgotten grave to once again terrorize the citizens of Oakmoor Crossing. Summoned by warlock, Walter Machen, the resurrected monster soon sets its sites on killing young Sean Kelly, the descendant of Machen’s enemies. Sean’s babysitter, Carolyn, tries to save the day, but is there really a chance in Hell?
Jack-O 2: Blood Moon Rising will be the first feature-length motion picture from Ray’s new company, Fred Olen Ray Productions LLC. Ray is writing, directing, and producing the film, with Latshaw serving as executive producer. Sean Donohue is also producing, with legendary exploitation director William Grefé also on board as an executive producer. Why Jack-O 2 now? Ray explains, “For the last decade I have focused on dozens of Made for TV network movies… Christmas films and Lifetime Women’s thrillers and it’s been great, opening an entirely new page in my long career… but my early Drive-in movie roots are begging me to take another walk on the wild side, a walk back to my beginnings and I want to do it in Florida with you. I’m going to produce a 1970s styled Drive-in movie… the kind fans want but no big company wants to finance anymore. That’s where I hope you come in!” A crowdfunding campaign is being run on IndieGogo and, as of this writing, has raised more than $23,000 of a $50,000 goal, with 13 days left.
Genre icons Linnea Quigley, Brinke Stevens, John Carradine, and Cameron Mitchell had roles in the original Jack-O. For the sequel, Ray has already cast Sybil Danning (Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf), Richard Gabai (Nightmare Sisters), Sushii Xhyvette Holder (Swamp Woman), and Martin Nicholas (Beach Blanket Bloodbath).
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