Hulu’s Hellraiser, a reimagining of Clive Barker’s 1987 horror classic from director David Bruckner, will debut in the U.S. exclusively on Hulu on October 7, which means we’re just about one week away from the return of the franchise. Jamie Clayton is playing the iconic Hell Priest in the new movie, a fresh new take on the character played by Doug Bradley in the past.
Clayton explains in a new interview, “This film’s version of the Priest is now a woman, which takes the burden off the audience of trying to compare the performance to Doug Bradley’s iconic portrayal of this character, lovingly known by the fans as Pinhead. There’s a sensuality to her. There’s a grace, there’s a beauty. And a hunger and a desire.”
Jamie Clayton also talks about the intense makeup process that turned her into the Hell Priest for the new Hellraiser movie – and the process of removing the intricate costuming.
“The makeup process was intense. I’ve never done prosthetics before, but I was in such good hands with the Russells and their entire team. Sierra Russell was my key. She would [transform] me every single day, and Josh was always there… you know, gluing all the pins on individually to the face piece while the head was coming on. But the process, depending on the day – depending on how many other Cenobites were working that day, or how many practical effects were happening – the makeup could take anywhere from four and a half to six hours.”
Clayton continues, “I had to be incredibly patient. I had to find a thing in myself that I didn’t know existed. I had to just learn to sort of meditate and relax and let this incredible team of people practice their craft on me every day. Once I was in it, once the neck piece went on, I was in it for the duration of that filming day.
“And then, to take it all off, was another 30 minutes to an hour. Taking off the hands, the face, the whole thing. Stripping that suit off at the end of the day was always a huge relief.”
You can watch the full interview with Jamie Clayton below.
David Bruckner (The Night House), who helmed Netflix’s The Ritual as well as sections of Bloody Disgusting’s horror anthologies V/H/S and Southbound, is directing the relaunch of the Hellraiser franchise for Spyglass Media, set to be a Hulu feature film written by Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski (SiREN, Super Dark Times, The Night House).
Hulu’s Hellraiser has been rated “R” for some very Hellraiser Things, including…
“Strong bloody horror violence and gore, language throughout, some sexual content, and brief graphic nudity.”
The project is being described as a “loyal, yet evolved re-imagining of Clive Barker’s 1987 horror classic,” and the best possible news is that Clive Barker is on board as a producer.
The ensemble cast includes Odessa A’zion (“Fam,” “Grand Army”), Adam Faison (“Everything’s Gonna Be Okay,” “Yes Day”), Drew Starkey (“Outer Banks,” “The Devil All the Time”), Brandon Flynn (“Ratched,” “13 Reasons Why”), Aoife Hinds (“The Long Call,” “Normal People”), Jason Liles (“Stereoscope,” “Rampage”), Yinka Olorunnife (“The Transporter”), Selina Lo (“Boss Level,” “Q8 Unleashed”), Zachary Hing (“Halo”), Kit Clarke (“Leonardo”), with Goran Visnjic (“The Boys,” “Timeless”) and Hiam Abbass (“Succession,” “Blade Runner 2049”).
