The body-swap terror tale adapted from an H.P.
Lovecraft story and starring Heather Graham premieres at the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival.
Hollywood is full of horror stories and this particular one spans decades.
Heather Graham in ‘Suitable Flesh’.RLJE Films/Shudder
The truth is even more concerning.
I’m excited to see what the fallout’s going to be like."
The project was originally developed in the ’90s by screenwriter Dennis Paoli andthe late director Stuart Gordon.
Heather Graham and Barbara Crampton in ‘Suitable Flesh’.AMP and Eyevox
But the film series ultimately stalled.
“They couldn’t get that off the ground.”
The writer sent over his script for the pair’s take on “The Thing on the Doorstep.”
Judah Lewis in ‘Suitable Flesh’.AMP and Eyevox
“I read it and immediately I could visualize it,” says Crampton.
They read it and they all loved it."
Crampton even recalls the late director giving the younger filmmaker the thumbs-up.
Heather Graham and Johnathon Schaech in ‘Suitable Flesh’.AMP and Eyevox
“He said, ‘Joe Lynch’ and I agreed.
“We were mutual fans of each other, which was a trip to me.
I’m like, holy crap, Stuart Gordon has seen my stuff!
Director Joe Lynch on the set of ‘Suitable Flesh’.AMP and Eyevox
I always admired the fact that he was one of those provocateurs, pushing limits in cinema.
Him and De Palma and Verhoeven, I loved all these guys.”
“Barbara and Dennis [thought it was] interesting.
Poster for ‘Suitable Flesh’.AMP and Eyevox
Often we said ‘What would Stuart do?’
and this felt like something Stuart would do.”
Crampton was now looking for a lead actress instead of a lead actor.
“Joe and Dennis worked together to change the character to female,” she says.
“We wanted to tip our hat again to Stuart,” says the actress.
I think he achieved that and I hope people feel the same.”
“It is a sexy film, it is,” says Crampton.
“I don’t think Lovecraft is inherently sexy, but Stuart Gordon’s movies always were.”
“Our cast were very game to explore that with us in a way that felt very mature.”
The director says the teaser “killed.
I was gripping Barbara’s hand and we were going ‘Eeee!’
It was great.”
“I guess that will be my next question for Dennis.
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