Clive Barker says Hellraiser: Revival sparked ideas for future films
Barker says the new game renewed his interest in Hellraiser films, but no new movie, studio deal or release plan has been confirmed.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival has put fresh movie ideas on the creator’s mind. In an interview published Oct. 15, Barker said the newly released game made him want to revisit the world he introduced on screen nearly four decades ago.
But horror fans should not start looking for a release date. Barker expressed an interest in more Hellraiser stories, including films, yet no new movie, game adaptation, studio partnership or production plan was announced.
Speaking with Dread Central, Barker called the game a “wake-up call” for people who work on long-running franchises. He said it showed how creators can return to established fictional worlds with a different approach.
“I have many ideas that I’d like to see realized in the Hellraiser universe,” Barker said, adding that he intends to “keep my fingers in that pie.”
Did Clive Barker announce a new Hellraiser movie?
No. Barker did not announce another Hellraiser film. His comments were an expression of creative interest, rather than confirmation that a sequel or another reimagining is in development.
He told Dread Central that he has been keeping notes on possible stories and would like another chance to explore the mythology. Barker said he sees room for the series to grow in movies and other forms of media.
Among the images and subjects feeding those ideas are a visit to Rome and the Vatican, the history of the Inquisition, and the Italian horror films Black Sunday and Suspiria, according to the interview.
How Barker’s original Hellraiser became a franchise
Barker wrote and directed the first Hellraiser, released in 1987 and adapted from his 1986 novella The Hellbound Heart. The film introduced Pinhead and the Cenobites, and the property later expanded into 11 films, books, comics and video games, Deadline reported.
The latest film mentioned in the available reporting is David Bruckner’s 2022 Hulu reimagining. Barker served as a producer on that project, according to Deadline.
For now, Revival is the concrete new chapter. Barker’s remarks make clear that he has more places he would like to take Hellraiser, but whether any of those ideas reaches the screen remains undecided.
This story draws on original reporting from Deadline.