QuoteEXCLUSIVE: VMI Worldwide is taking Boop, a horror take on the classic Betty Boop cartoon, to the American Film Market.
VMI will handle world sales on Boop.
Furst Class Productions will produce the film, which is being described as a "re-imagining of 1930s cartoon icon Betty Boop but told through a genre lens." The synopsis reads: A team of horror podcast investigators breaks into an abandoned theater to discover the hauntings of the starlet once known as Boop. A simple investigation turns into a horrific blood bath as they fight to escape the murderous Boop, as she is out for revenge.
The film stars Katisha Shaw, Spencer Breslin, Eva Hamilton, Colton Tran, and Devanny Pinn as Boop. Jose Prendes and Josh Ridgway wrote the film, and Jared Cohn will direct. Jarrett Furst, Katisha Shaw, Devanny Pinn, and Jessica Russo are serving as producers.
"Getting your classic cartoon told as a horror film is still mind-blowing, but what sets Boop apart from all the other horror IPs is her motivation," Jessica Russo, COO of VMI, said in a statement. "Boop's dark history is extremely grim, but this telling allows her to get her power back. A true testament to feminism led by a predominantly female team."
Jarrett Furst added: "When I learned this cartoon was entering the public domain, I knew there was something special waiting to happen. This team—brimming with extraordinary talent both in front of and behind the camera—absolutely blew me away. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. Get ready for a wildly violent, ridiculously fun ride... and trust me, this is only the beginning."
Corrected:
QuoteJarrett Furst added: "When I learned this cartoon was entering the public domain, I knew there was money to be made.
We already know this is going to suck. No need to shine a future turd.
everyone can see this entire film for free in their own head right now. I only lasted 5 seconds though
Quote from: zombie no.one on November 11, 2025, 04:38:49 PMeveryone can see this entire film for free in their own head right now. I only lasted 5 seconds though
😳😃😀😂😆😄
Didn't Betty Boop fall into the public domain in the '60's or '70's?
There was even a movie, where someone edited a bunch of colorized, PD shorts into a feature film,"Betty Boop for President", going by memory.
Quote from: pacman000 on November 12, 2025, 05:33:43 PMDidn't Betty Boop fall into the public domain in the '60's or '70's?
There was even a movie, where someone edited a bunch of colorized, PD shorts into a feature film,"Betty Boop for President", going by memory.
Some specific later cartoons are public domain, but not the character herself. Not unheard of for characters with a long history. Popeye was similar, he had a bunch of cartoons that weren't renewed fall into public domain years ago, but the character didn't enter public domain until recently.
Good point, Jim. I've played at least two indie horror games where old episodes of "Popeye" are playing on TVs as the player character explores a spooky house. Probably the same episodes that were on cheap VHS tapes near the check-out aisles of my local Woolworths when I was a child.......
I watched one of the Micky Mouse horror movies. All the way through I kept thinking "This is a Brown Jenkins film directed by Stuart Gordon". It was passable as a slasher, and I can't imagine the Betty Boop one being much different. I suspect I'll end up watching it when I am bored on nights though.
The only "name" actor in that cast list I recognize is Spencer Breslin. Thought he still acting honestly.
There's more public domain movies coming, all from different companies.
Only ones I've watched so far are the Pooh-niverse films out of England. The Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare one was the best one of the three I've watched so far, but I dug them all.
Not watched the Peter Pan one yet, but I guess I will at some point. I didn't care much for the first Winny the Poo movie, but I guess it seemed to do well enough at the box office so it must have a decent amount of fans and I'm glad they liked it.
The second Pooh is a bit better. They kinda retconned it a little bit. The actor who plays Pan is great. If they had a bigger budget and slightly better script it could've been really great. It worked for what it was. I even watched it a second time.
Luckily most of these are free on Peacock.
David Howard Thornton, who plays Art the Clown in the Terrifier series, has two of these public domain flicks on Peacock. Screamboat, playing Mickey Mouse, and The Mean One playing The Grinch.
The sad thing is if you look back at a lot of those old rubber hose era cartoons, there's plenty of scary surreal imagery that could make for some good horror material. The one promo image just makes it look like a another slasher film.
I get that why these all go to horror
>low cost and ease makes for an profitable film, even if it doesn't make a ton of money
>"look how edgy we are" mentality of taking kid friendly characters and making them something definitely not.
I just wish someone would do something better with them. I;m sure we all do.
Quote from: HappyGilmore on November 17, 2025, 06:37:29 PMThe second Pooh is a bit better. They kinda retconned it a little bit. The actor who plays Pan is great. If they had a bigger budget and slightly better script it could've been really great. It worked for what it was. I even watched it a second time.
Luckily most of these are free on Peacock.
David Howard Thornton, who plays Art the Clown in the Terrifier series, has two of these public domain flicks on Peacock. Screamboat, playing Mickey Mouse, and The Mean One playing The Grinch.
Saw both those. I thought Screamboat was decent, although as I mentioned before I felt like it was a different movie. I've watched The Mean One, but not really paid full attention to it. It did seem to be fairly well done for that type of movie, but all I can really recall is the voice over.
Quote from: Alex on November 18, 2025, 02:31:07 PMQuote from: HappyGilmore on November 17, 2025, 06:37:29 PMThe second Pooh is a bit better. They kinda retconned it a little bit. The actor who plays Pan is great. If they had a bigger budget and slightly better script it could've been really great. It worked for what it was. I even watched it a second time.
Luckily most of these are free on Peacock.
David Howard Thornton, who plays Art the Clown in the Terrifier series, has two of these public domain flicks on Peacock. Screamboat, playing Mickey Mouse, and The Mean One playing The Grinch.
Saw both those. I thought Screamboat was decent, although as I mentioned before I felt like it was a different movie. I've watched The Mean One, but not really paid full attention to it. It did seem to be fairly well done for that type of movie, but all I can really recall is the voice over.
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Interesting.
I haven't watched yet. Seen both pop up when scrolling through movies one night. Piqued my interest upon finding out about Thornton being in them.
He's great as Art, but I don't know how he'd be in a full costume when his facial expressions would be hindered.
Until you mentioned it, I wasn't aware that he was playing Micky. Most of the time, you'll see him in costume, sneering at whoever is about to be his victim. They've dealt with the limited SFX budget by not having him share the screen very much with full-size people, from what I remember (although I would have to say I watched this during a 12-hour night shift where my other option for entertainment would have been to chat with a right-wing racist guy, I chose this as the more interesting option.
Quote from: Alex on November 22, 2025, 10:37:02 AMUntil you mentioned it, I wasn't aware that he was playing Micky. Most of the time, you'll see him in costume, sneering at whoever is about to be his victim. They've dealt with the limited SFX budget by not having him share the screen very much with full-size people, from what I remember (although I would have to say I watched this during a 12-hour night shift where my other option for entertainment would have been to chat with a right-wing racist guy, I chose this as the more interesting option.
I'm checking it out later. I don't expect a lot. I'm interested though. Mainly cause of him, even if it's limited.
I think my best advice would be don't go in with high expectations and you'll be fine.
Then again, people have different tastes and maybe you'll love it.
I did hear there is going to be a Pooh Vs Micky movie, although I didn't care enough to read the article or watch the trailers to see if this is its own thing or a meeting of other movies.
I believe they're doing Avengers style crossovers. Pan, Bambi, Pooh, Mickey, etc and the human survivors.
Horror is not the genre I want to see Betty Boop in.
:teddyr: :thumbup: :cheers:
Slightly off topic, but I did hear the novelisation of Terrifier 3 is coming out. No idea if you read the books or not, but I thought I'd pass it on.
Quote from: Alex on November 26, 2025, 01:43:05 PMSlightly off topic, but I did hear the novelisation of Terrifier 3 is coming out. No idea if you read the books or not, but I thought I'd pass it on.
I have for the second. Cousin of mine leant me his.
for some reason I'd imagine a novel of TERRIFIER to be written in the style of Mandy Harris from THIS COUNTRY's books
https://youtu.be/bXYwFuJ13Kg?si=Xh13mnOGEGAWpS1l
I think Betty Boop would be great in a horror film, but she'd need to be the protagonist, not the antagonist.
Betty Boop as a murderess = No go.
Betty Boop in a weird location, trying to escape from increasingly bizarre, frightening things, with a 30's jazz influenced score = Yes! Please!