Bubba Ho-Tep was one of the best movies I’ve ever seen never to be given a wide release. I remember when the film was making the festival circuit and everyone was raving about it… people online were gushing over it, and all of us wanted to see it. One major problem… no distributor was willing to pick it up for a wide release. AAARRGGGHHH!!!!! When I think about how much total crap get wide releases and then a film like this one didn’t… makes me lose faith in humanity. Anyway…
Thankfully the movie found an audience on DVD and became quite popular. Popular enough that much talk began about the chances of a sequel. Paul Giamatti quickly became attached to the project (which they are calling BUBBA NOSFERATU) and everything looked like it was full speed ahead. Oh… except for one problem… Bruce Campbell decided he didn’t want to do it. AARRGGHHH!!! Why Bruce WHY!?!?!?
There hasn’t been much noise from the Bubba Nosferatu front in some time… until now.
In a recent interview with AICN Paul Giamatti has let the world know the movie is still moving forward… and that they have a new Elvis. RON PERLMAN. Here’s an excerpt from the interview:
Paul Giamatti: And his movies are amazing. They are totally unique, you know? So then he asked me if I was interested in doing this one and I was just like “You have got to be kidding me. Yeah, absolutely!” I said, “I have a little production company and we can help you guys do this” and he brought me in onboard and now we have got Ron Perlman interested in playing Elvis.
Paul goes on to say that they REALLY wanted Bruce Campbell back in the role… but that Bruce just didn’t want to do it. He said Bruce is totally cool with them doing it without him but they just couldn’t convince him to do it.
Here’s the thing. I want Bruce Campbell back as Elvis. He MADE that movie. Having said that, the movie is bigger than the performer and I’m still pumped to see this… and I love Ron Perlman and I’m sure he’ll do a great job. I’ll miss Campbell, but if Perlman does what he’s capable of doing, I’m sure the film will be just fine.
