Few production companies are as synonymous with classic horror movies as Hammer Films. For decades, the House of Hammer reinvented horror as we know it; they produced all of Christopher Lee’s Dracula films and Peter Cushing’s Frankenstein films, not to mention genre classics like 1961’s The Curse of the Werewolf, 1966’s The Plague of the Zombies and One Billion Years BC, 1968’s The Devil Rides Out, and 1971’s Twins of Evil. Now, the company has apparently launched a new studio in order to both restore their classic horror films and finally make new ones.
As reported by Dread Central, Hammer Studios’ new company will be called Hammer Films Ltd, and will be a joint venture with Network Distributing.
“The new entity will manage and control Hammer’s interests in its vast library of content such as The Woman in Black (2012), Let Me In (2010), Dracula (1958), The Abominable Snowman (1957), and The Quatermass Experiment (1953).” No only that, but apparently “Hammer Studios will invest substantially both in restoration and new production development from both its owned and newly created IP.”
“This partnership is a really exciting opportunity to merge Hammer’s amazing library with Network’s infrastructure,” says Tim Beddows of Network Distributing. “While we work our way through restoring its entire back catalogue for future generations’ enjoyment, we’re equally excited about the development of new productions from the Hammer canon.”
It’ll be interesting to see how this takes shape. The original Hammer films are awesome, but boy are they campy, so hopefully the company either does an overhaul on their classic stories or brings in some new talent. That said, the studio was behind 2019’s The Lodge, about a former cult victim snowed in with her boyfriend’s kids, and that shit was terrifying, so maybe they’re on the right track.
Keep your eyes peeled for the return of the House of Hammer in the near future.
***
Words by Chris Krovatin
