'The Cabin in The Woods' shooting in March says Joss - The Cabin in the Woods

Yeah, that settles the question of whether it was going to be late February or early March. Heh.

The One True b!X | January 07, 10:06 CET

Ohhh wow, that's so much sooner than I expected.

Okay, so explain to me something about the timeline. Let's say it takes them two months to shoot (I would think it'd take less, but I'm not sure about these things). That puts them into June. I have no idea how long it would take them to edit it. But it seems like this film is going to spend a lot of time sitting there, finished, waiting to be released if it doesn't come out until February 2010. Am I right, or is there something that happens in that time that I haven't taken into consideration?

sumogrip | January 07, 10:26 CET

Well I'm hoping they can rush it out for Halloween this year OR wait until Halloween next year.

Lockescythe | January 07, 10:31 CET

Lockescythe, its original release date was in time for Halloween this year, so don't count on that. And last I heard, the studio was amused by the possible approaches to marketing it in the vicinity of Valentine's Day.

The One True b!X | January 07, 11:02 CET

Excellent news! So, are we looking at late winter/early spring of 2009/2010? Also, I've been so out of the loop lately, is Drew still involved? Really looking forward to anything with Joss written all over it. He has been alway for far too long.

Between this and "Dollhouse", I'm really looking forward to this year. Yah!!

Madhatter | January 07, 11:15 CET

Am I right, or is there something that happens in that time that I haven't taken into consideration?

Well, it depends on how much post-production work it needs (effects shots etc.) but it's not at all unusual for a film to be completed and then held purely to fit in with a release schedule (and it's actually reasonably common for even huge films to be rushing around like blue arsed flies trying to get everything done at the last minute, also to meet a release schedule - 'Twilight' was completely finished about 3 weeks before it was released, basically just in time for prints to be made and distributed, and IIRC 'Quantum of Solace' was similar).

Deciding release dates is a bit of a black art as far as I can tell but it's sometimes strategic (i.e. who would you be up against, do you need to release to meet the Oscar nomination requirements etc.) and sometimes just a way of dumping a film the studio doesn't want to promote.

Saje | January 07, 11:20 CET

Madhatter, as it says above the release is February 2010. And as the article says, yes Drew is still involved.

The One True b!X | January 07, 11:22 CET

It'll be interested in seeing how involved Joss is with the filming of it. While I'm a fan of Drew's, Joss is a seasoned directorial hand and I think it would be great if he were heavily involved

Let Down | January 07, 12:27 CET

What I am interested in is in seeing how Joss subverts the horror genre here. We know he will have nothing to do with torture porn, which is so often at the base of modern horror films. So in this case, I would think he will somehow ramp up the dread. I know that Blair Witch is not liked by all, but when I saw it, I was genuinely creeped- and there was never any actual violence shown. So I'd like to see what he does here.

Dana5140 | January 07, 13:45 CET

I'm curious about what is implied by the description 'a horror movie to end all horror movies. Literally'. Many people misuse 'literally' so that it means nothing in particular. But Joss uses language carefully. That 'literally' suggests some sort of interesting deconstruction of the genre

Let Down | January 07, 13:49 CET

Yeah, that 'literally' fascinates me too. It could mean: "After TCITW nobody will want to make another horror movie anymore." or "TCITW could be the end credits of every horror film ever made." or a million other things.

wiesengrund | January 07, 13:53 CET

I'm still so incredibly curious what this movie's going to be about. Will it be an actual horror film? Will it be a horror-spoof? Will it be something else completely? The suspense!

GVH | January 07, 14:08 CET

Given the title, the comments and that it's Joss/Drew i'm expecting something 'Scream' like (i.e. funny, maybe satirical but not a spoof per se) but probably less overt (Joss doesn't seem to like his stories to wear their ideas on their sleeve, he likes them to be seamlessly embedded). But yeah, eagerly awaited, to say the least.

And yeah, the "literally" leapt out at me back when we first saw that quote. But many people use literally when they don't literally mean literally (and even if it means it's somehow purporting to be a sort of final comment on the genre, it still won't be literally true since people will obviously continue to make horror movies afterwards - unless Joss means the film will kick-start an apocalypse, in which case I hope it gets a simultaneous global release so I can see it too ;).

So in this case, I would think he will somehow ramp up the dread.

That isn't subverting the horror genre in any way (and there're still horror movies being made that aren't torture porn, I liked 'The Orphanage' from last year for instance).

Saje | January 07, 14:17 CET

well, saje, I'm really just saying, I wonder what he will do. Don't take me so, uh, literally. :-) And yes, there are good horror films- The Orphange was certainly one, Blair Witch, Silence of the Lambs, Old Boy, etc.

[ edited by Dana5140 on 2009-01-07 14:41 ]

Dana5140 | January 07, 14:40 CET

Well, I was more alluding to your comment on "modern horror films" Dana5140 (and so mentioned one that's recent). 'Silence of the Lambs' is arguably not a horror movie BTW (i've always thought of it as a thriller) but either way, it's 18 years old so not exactly representative of current trends.

(and here's a scary observation - to me - 'The Blair Witch Project' is ten years old this year ! Tempus seems very fugity right now ;)

Thinking about it, i'd speculate (and that's all it is, I haven't counted anything ;) that there are many more slasher/survival horror movies released annually than torture-porn, that's still the dominant sub-genre in horror IMO - I think torture-porn just gets more press (it's a relatively new hobby horse for people to ride). True though, psychological horror/suspense has, in the last few decades, been very much on the back foot quantity wise.

Saje | January 07, 14:53 CET

the studio was amused by the possible approaches to marketing it in the vicinity of Valentine's Day

What are they shooting for? Making your Valentine scream in fear and turning to you for comfort...actually, that might work.

Emmie | January 07, 14:56 CET

the horror movie to end all horror movies.

I know it'll be good but please don't end the whole genre! I would like to have been a fly on the wall during that meeting.

Tonya J | January 07, 15:00 CET

Event Horizon in a hut? Hmmmm.

Simon | January 07, 15:03 CET

Where does it say "literally?"

It just occurred to me that Tom Cruise has never been in a horror movie. Has he? Am I forgetting something?

jenlight | January 07, 15:03 CET

According to this Joss described TCITW as "The horror movie to end all horror movies... literally." back at Comic Con 2007.

wiesengrund | January 07, 15:06 CET

Pretty much when it was first announced IIRC.

I would like to have been a fly on the wall during that meeting.

Studio: "OK, Mr Sweden, we're happy to finance your literal horror movie to end all horror movies provided you can provide a return of ... ooh, the box office gross of every horror movie that would have been made between now and the end of time".

Joss: "Yah-sure-yabetcha.".

It just occurred to me that Tom Cruise has never been in a horror movie. Has he? Am I forgetting something?

'Interview With a Vampire' ?

And opinions vary about 'Far and Away'.

Saje | January 07, 15:09 CET

heh, Saje :).

Also: Event Horizon in a hut? Totally wouldn't watch that. (But then, I'm a low-on-blood-and-gore type of guy ;)).

GVH | January 07, 15:20 CET

I don't mind gore or huts but I do mind 'Event Horizon' (not seen the director's cut in fairness though).

(also, 'Event Horizon' was [a bit] like Die Hard in a spaceship ergo TCitW is like Die Hard in a spaceship in a hut - which i'd actually watch)

Saje | January 07, 15:24 CET

"The horror movie to end all horror movies ... literally," does fascinate me, too.

A couple of things spring to mind. First, the horror genre has ALWAYS been really self-conscious. even if its (mainstream) audience has not. One could argue that "Scream" was "the horror movie to end all horror movies," since it was all meta- (though it was received, essentially, as a revitalization of horror movies, even though it deconstructed them pretty thoroughly).

Second, if I were to guess what that enigmatic phrase meant coming from Joss, I would think that it meant that TCiTW was going to set out to deconstruct or subvert or reverse or put the lie to all the horror genre conventions, turning the genre on its head and maybe pointing out its ridiculous conventions (sort of like Scream, but less wink-at-the-camera and more here's-what-it-would-really-be-like or here's-what-it-could-be-like). After all, Joss has kind of a history of turning horror conventions on their heads! And, if it contains a powerful condemnation of torture-porn at the same time, so much the better.

[ edited by Septimus on 2009-01-07 16:03 ]

Septimus | January 07, 16:03 CET

Die Hard in a spaceship in a hut? Yep, that I'd watch. Literally.

GVH | January 07, 16:13 CET

'Event Horizon' was [a bit] like Die Hard in a spaceship

In the sense that I'm a bit like Alexander the Great.

Simon | January 07, 16:16 CET

In that case, can I have Macedonia ? C'mon, you're barely ever there anyway ...

(head, eyes, ears, arms, legs ... you're the spitting image of him Simon ;)

Saje | January 07, 16:19 CET

See, I knew Simon reminded me of someone!

GVH | January 07, 16:24 CET

Simon-xander the Pretty Good-nificent!

zeitgeist | January 07, 16:56 CET

"OK, Mr Sweden,...

That should have told him right there he was in big trouble...

Tonya J | January 07, 16:57 CET

Yeah, Sweden is always getting into trouble, unlike Switzerland, who mostly stays out of it! Plus, does Joss have the body for the swimsuit portion of the Mr. Sweden competition? No offense your purple, uh, mountains majesty, but... I mean, I know Nathan is just naturally like that and doesn't need to go to the gym, but... giving up while marginally ahead.

[ edited by zeitgeist on 2009-01-07 16:59 ]

zeitgeist | January 07, 16:58 CET

Mr. Sweden could look like Nathan if he really wanted to ... okay, I could be wrong.

Tonya J | January 07, 17:06 CET

He totally could (he's a shapeshifter- shh!), I was just being what we in the business (the business of being silly) call being silly.

zeitgeist | January 07, 17:08 CET

I know (I'm being silly back). I like Mr. Sweden just the way he is.

Tonya J | January 07, 17:23 CET

And suddenly I have a new reason to be proud of my Swedish heritage.

Emmie | January 07, 17:35 CET

Me too, though re-reading the postings I'm not sure of what I'm proud of exactly :)

jpr | January 07, 18:09 CET

Good to know this is shooting soon. Seems like any Horrible sequels or new internet projects would probably not be in the very near future then.

Sunfire | January 07, 18:10 CET

Joss isn't directing and is an excellent multitasker, so he probably has time to do more Dr. Horrible while running the Swedish symposium of shapeshifters. Or something.

hacksaway | January 07, 18:52 CET

Anyone else notice how frequently "Into the Woods" crops up as a phrase or allusion (and once, of course, a title) in the Jossverse? I've a suspicion that Sondheim's musical was a BIG influence on Joss (which would make perfect sense, of course--all that ironic meta-awareness of genre conventions)--and consequently a suspicion that "Cabin in the Woods" will have something to do with fairytale tropes of one kind or another.

snot monster from outer space | January 07, 19:20 CET

while running the Swedish symposium of shapeshifters...

Now THAT I'd pay to see.

Snot Monster, it's well known that Joss is a big fan of musical theatre and Sondheim, so you have good suspicions. Cabin in the Woods is to Into the Woods as The Company of Wolves is to fairy tales, I suspect.

Tonya J | January 07, 20:06 CET

Hey Tonya J--I've often seen Joss mention Sondheim as a passionate interest in general--but don't think I've seen a specific mention of "Into the Woods." I think there's something about the idea of the "haunted wood"--that when you go "into the woods" you leave the ordinary, everyday world and enter the "legend-laden" storyspace of faery (vampires, talking wolves, ogres etc.)--that seems central to Joss's way of thinking about genre fiction.

snot monster from outer space | January 07, 20:21 CET

IIRC, Jed and Zack did Into The Woods in high school. Felicia too.

hacksaway | January 07, 20:28 CET

Don't mind me, I'm just popping in to do the Dance of Joy!!

josswhedonaddict | January 07, 21:11 CET

... but don't think I've seen a specific mention of "Into the Woods."

Well, there was the Buffy episode by that name (S5, Ep. 10)...

I'm thrilled Joss and Drew are doing horror for the silver ~~scream~~ screen. Blood and guts could use some brains for a change! (Insert zombie joke here) And did anyone see "Let the Right One In"? Stately, scary, beautiful and with some unforgettable images -- my favorite movie experience of this (admittedly short) year so far.

Wiseblood | January 07, 22:37 CET

Well, there was the Buffy episode by that name (S5, Ep. 10)...

Yep. That's what I meant by "and once, of course, a title." By "specific mention" I mean "Joss specifically mentioning how important Sondheim's Into the Woods was to him."

snot monster from outer space | January 07, 22:42 CET

When I hear "Cabin in the Woods" and "Horror" I think of the first two Evil Dead movies. I'd hazard to guess if that's an intentional allusion.

phong | January 07, 22:51 CET

When I hear "Cabin in the Woods" and "Horror" I think of the first two Evil Dead movies. I'd hazard to guess if that's an intentional allusion.

Drew Goddard:

There’s a reason the title is so straightforward. It’s its own sub-genre, the cabin in the woods, and this is sort of our take on it. It’s fresh and new.

The One True b!X | January 07, 22:57 CET

unless Joss means the film will kick-start an apocalypse, in which case I hope it gets a simultaneous global release so I can see it too ;)

Me too, Saje. Me too.

Of course, Joss in a room with Tom Cruise could be its own apocalypse right there. It definitely never entered my scope of possible situations.

I'm so excited! This movie will allow me to convert my friend who loves the black & white horror films. This would be a perfect introduction into the Whedonverse. :)

And it looks like we might have a gap in the fall for more mushortios/balletios!

korkster | January 08, 02:12 CET

And it looks like we might have a gap in the fall for more mushortios/balletios!

Well, you know, hopefully Dollhouse is back in production by then, also. Heh.

The One True b!X | January 08, 02:14 CET

Of course, bix. My bad. But didn't he do both Dollhouse & Dr. Horrible together? My thoughts were that the summer was open for a filming of a balletio/mushortio (to be released in the fall) & then the Dollhouse gang returns for the fall roll-out.

Side note: I've never understood the "heh" statement. It seems as if my comment gives a negative enough vibe (even though I was shooting for positive) to deserve a "heh". Anyone care to explain these?

korkster | January 08, 03:20 CET

I'm less than convinced on comparisions between "event horizon" and "die hard". There's a hero and plenty of running in both but apart from that...

SmileTime | January 08, 10:47 CET

Also, both films have titles whose second word beings with the letter "h".

The One True b!X | January 08, 11:05 CET

And both films are set on a spaceship, except for 'Die Hard'.

Saje | January 08, 11:38 CET

Ah, great news. When can we expect the release date to be? December '09/ January '10?

J.I.G. | January 08, 15:04 CET

As was said in the comments already, February 2010.

Simon | January 08, 15:07 CET

J.I.G. - as mentioned upthread, its looking like around Valentine's Day 2010.

ETA - Simon hit post while I was scratching my nose - he wins!

[ edited by zeitgeist on 2009-01-08 15:07 ]

zeitgeist | January 08, 15:07 CET

Sorry about that, thanks!

J.I.G. | January 08, 15:10 CET

And both films are set on a spaceship, except for 'Die Hard'.

Dude, 'Die Hard' was totally set on a space-ship. You just didn't actually, y'know, see it. Like with Dark City (<-- see, now you wont know if this particular spoiler is safe to look at untill you've actually looked at it. In which case it'll be too late. *universe implodes*)

ETA: yikes, why is that inviso-text space so huge?

ETFA: thanks, Simon

[ edited by GVH on 2009-01-08 15:24 ]

[ edited by GVH on 2009-01-08 15:26 ]

GVH | January 08, 15:24 CET

Span class not div class.

Simon | January 08, 15:25 CET

'Dark City' ? You mean Die Hard on a giant space frisbee ?

Saje | January 08, 16:35 CET

It's interesting there are so many references you can look to for Cabin in the Woods, not necessarily with "in the Woods" as part of the title. Several were mentioned yesterday and then I was thinking, for some inexplicable reason as I was walking to the coffee place before work this morning, of Tana French's excellent In the Woods, which is definitely a horror story of sorts, and turns what is a children's fantasy play area into something horrible and obscene. Then there's Eli Roth's Cabin Fever. Part of me wishes this was a takeoff on the Little Red Riding Hood theme, but I think Company of Wolves did that up nicely. Anyway, there's an odd, yet interesting kind of symmetry in all of this.

Tonya J | January 08, 17:00 CET

Hansel and Gretel maybe ?

(they seem to be going for a sort of encapsulation to some extent, a blanket statement, so it makes sense they'd use a trope that's woven throughout the genre. Implicit in 'cabin' is isolation and, for a social species, that's the foundations of a horror story right there)

Saje | January 08, 17:10 CET

Too bad we have to wait so fricking long to find out... :)

Tonya J | January 08, 18:12 CET

January 07 2009