Pinhead to return in new 'Hellraiser'

Posted Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 12:24 PM Central

by Tim Briscoe

One of the most visually disturbing characters in horror movie history is set for a return. Clive Barker's Pinhead is being brought back to life by The Weinstein Company's Dimension Films for a new movie.

According to a report by the Reuters news agency, French filmmakers Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo will write and direct a remake of Clive Barker's classic. Maury and Bustillo created the 2007 French horror flick Inside.

Directed by Barker, the original Hellraiser was released in 1987. It was followed by seven sequels: Hellraiser II, Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth, Hellraiser: Bloodline, Hellraiser: Inferno, Hellraiser: Heatseeker, Hellraiser: Deader, and Hellraiser: Hellworld.

Pinhead is the leader of the Cenobites, a group of sadomasochistic demons that feed on human suffering. The Cenobites find their victims through a mysterious puzzle box. Barker wrote the screenplay based on his novella "The Hellbound Heart."

Actor Doug Bradley has portrayed Pinhead in each installment. There has been no mention if he'll be in this version. Also, no word on a possible release date for the new Hellraiser film. We're estimating it will be in theaters in 2009.

Starz Home Entertainment is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the original Hellraiser's release with a new DVD set. It will be released Oct. 23.