Get ready for a thrilling revelation! Jon Watts, the mastermind behind the Spider-Man trilogy, has a secret up his sleeve - a grand plan for a Clown sequel series that could revolutionize horror cinema.
Watts' career began in the horror genre with his directorial debut, the 2014 supernatural thriller Clown. What's intriguing is that this film almost didn't see the light of day. Watts and his friend Christopher Ford crafted a faux trailer, adding Eli Roth's name as a producer, and Roth took notice. Despite some international success, Dimension Films botched the U.S. release, delaying it until 2016. Despite its limited domestic run, Watts moved on to bigger projects, but the story of Clown is far from over.
In a recent interview, Watts revealed that he and Ford had envisioned a grand seven-part franchise, a long-term commitment akin to the Leprechaun series. Clown tells the story of a loving father who discovers an evil curse within a clown suit, transforming its wearer into a killer. Watts admits that he wishes he had leaned more into the horror elements, extending the kill sequences for maximum impact. He compares his vision to Evil Dead 2, a film that perfectly balances horror and fun.
But here's where it gets controversial... Watts acknowledges the cultural shift in the perception of clowns post-John Wayne Gacy. He believes it's the mask, the makeup, and the mysterious smile that evoke a sense of unease. Yet, he also appreciates the positive impact of good clowns, feeling a bit guilty for contributing to the fear surrounding them. This dichotomy is at the heart of his Clown series, where he plans to explore the role of a good clown within a dark narrative.
Watts has mapped out a detailed outline for this seven-part journey, treating it as a fun prank that might just come true. He invites interested parties to reach out if they want to delve into the psychological depths of transforming into an ancient clown demon.
After Clown, Watts directed the thriller Cop Car and embarked on his Spider-Man trilogy. He briefly considered directing The Fantastic Four: First Steps but ultimately stepped away from the superhero genre, opting for the action comedy Wolfs. Watts has also ventured into television, working on The Old Man for FX and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew for Disney+. Recently, he returned to horror by producing Final Destination: Bloodlines and is set to produce the next installment in that franchise.
So, would you like to see Jon Watts' Clown sequel series come to life? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Don't miss out on this opportunity to discuss a potential game-changer in the horror genre!