BLADE: THE IRON CROSS EXCLUSIVE Interview: Director John Lechago Talks The Newest PUPPET MASTER

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Puppet Master is a franchise that has been going for over three decades, with the first entry being released back in 1989. This week Full Moon Features has released the twelfth and newest entry in the franchise with Blade: The Iron Cross.

John Lechago directs the newest film in Charles Band’s popular horror series. To help promote the film’s release, we took the time to chat with John about his latest feature and what it was like to put it together.

We also spoke about what it was like for him to direct creature actor Alan Maxson, who is known for his performance as King Ghidorah in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Also, we were able to pick the director’s brain about his thoughts on the franchise as a whole as well as his favorite entries in the series.

Check out what Lechago had to say below!

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Joe: How did you initially become involved with the Puppet Master franchise?

John Lechago: I initially became involved with the Puppet Master franchise by doing some post-production for Puppet Master: Axis of Evil as I was preparing to direct another film for Full Moon.

Joe: I understand that this is a direct sequel to Axis Termination. Is this also a period piece?

John Lechago: Yes, Blade: The Iron Cross is a direct sequel of Axis Termination. It takes place a few months later, so it is indeed a period piece. We imply that the allies have already acquired the beaches of Normandy, so it is safe to say that the year is still 1944.

Joe: Can you explain how the Nazis factor in this film?

John Lechago: Starting with Puppet Master: Toulon’s Revenge, the Nazis have been the main antagonists in the Puppet Master series. However, this time I chose not to display any overt Nazi symbols and instead show American fascists and sympathizers. I wanted to concentrate on WHY they were the bad guys by highlighting their false sense of superiority and hunger for domination and genocide.

Joe: Do you have a favorite entry in the Puppet Master franchise? If so, can you explain why?

John Lechago: Puppet Master III: Toulon’s Revenge is my favorite. I think it is the first one where the feel and tone of the film crystallized. We got to know Andre Toulon and how he created his puppets as well as seeing the origin of Blade.

Joe: What is the most challenging part of directing a creature actor like Alan Maxson, and how does it differ from directing general acting?

John Lechago: So far, directing a creature actor like Alan Maxson is very easy. Alan and professional creature performers (Jessica Blue and Jarrell Hall also played parts) come very well prepared. They work very hard on their characters and practice their movement, so I have had an enjoyable experience with them.

Joe: Which Puppet Master films should fans watch before checking out Blade: The Iron Cross?

John Lechago: Well, Charles Band and Full Moon would require me to say ‘all of them’! But if you have to cut the list down, I would say; start with Puppet Master III, then go to Axis of Evil, Axis Rising, Axis Termination, and then BLADE: the Iron Cross. They are pretty much direct sequels from Axis of Evil.

Joe: I understand you write, direct, and edit, amongst other jobs, for several films. Which role do you feel most comfortable with, and do you look to anyone in particular for inspiration when working?

John Lechago: I love cinema, and there are so many filmmakers that I admire. I love directing the most because it allows me to collaborate with other talents. The shortlist of directors I try to model includes: Ridley Scott, Sam Raimi, Stuart Gordon, Guillermo del Toro, and Sally Potter. I look to Ridley, Guillermo, and Sally for visual inspiration. I seem to Sam and Stuart for style and pacing. There are so many other filmmakers that inspire me. I better not get carried away.

Joe: Blade can be looked at as a sort of anti-hero rather than a villain. Are there any comic books or characters that you pulled from or used as a basis when bringing him to life?

John Lechago: The Puppet Master series is so extensive now that it has enough depth by itself. I was able to get everything I needed from the other movies. I liked the idea that Blade had the spirit of Dr. Hess, who was initially working on a serum to reanimate dead soldiers for the Nazis and then became a protagonist before being killed. Therefore, I see Blade as having to pay penance for his sins, forever trying to redeem himself.

Joe: Is there anything else you would like us to share with our readers?

John Lechago: I want to give credit to a great cast, crew, and production team. The fans that watched the making of the movie know that the principal photography was only five days, so not only was it a great success in merely getting the film done, but we exceeded expectations in every way. Everyone worked very hard and put in a great effort. I am grateful for their contribution.


 

For decades the fans have been clamoring for it, and now Full Moon delivers with the first standalone feature debut of one of its most beloved (and most frightful) characters; the hook-handed maniac puppet, BLADE!

Charles Band’s Puppet Master series continues as an unspeakable evil from Blade’s past emerges in the form of a murderous Nazi scientist named Dr. Hauser. As Hauser’s heinous crimes are discovered, the psychic war journalist, Elisa Ivanov, awakens Blade, and together the bloody journey of revenge begins. It’s Herr Hauser’s reanimated undead army versus a possessed doll and a beautiful vengeance-seeking clairvoyant!

Who will win, and how will it affect the Full Moon Universe? Find out in Blade: The Iron Cross!

Blade: The Iron Cross is now available with a subscription to https://www.fullmoonfeatures.com/Full Moon Features.

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TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES CG Reboot In The Works From Seth Rogen’s Point Grey Pictures

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The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are returning to the big screen for a CG reboot from Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon and Seth Rogen’s production company.

According to Deadline, a new animated movie is in the works with Rogen and his Point Grey Pictures partners Evan Goldberg and James Weaver on board. Gravity Falls director Jeff Rowe will helm the project from a script by Brendan O’Brian (Neighbors: Sorority Rising, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates).

“Adding Seth, Evan and James’ genius to the humor and action that’s already an integral part of TMNT is going to make this a next-level reinvention of the property,” said Brian Robbins, President, Kids & Family for ViacomCBS. “I’m looking forward to see what they do, and I know that Ramsey Naito and her team are excited to take the Nick Animation Studio into another great direction with their first-ever CG-animated theatrical.”

Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo and Donatello have starred in several features at this stage, with the most recent being the moderately successful (from a financial standpoint, at least) movies from Paramount and Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes. They previously appeared in animated form in Warner Bros.’ 2007 adventure, TMNT. Fans still regard the original 1990 film to be the best of the bunch, however.

As part of a separate deal, Nickelodeon and Netflix are teaming up for an original animated 2D film based on the current Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series.

What do you guys make of this news? Looking forward to seeing the Heroes in a Half-Shell in theaters again?

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STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI Director Defends George Lucas’ Prequels As “A Gorgeous 7 Hour Long Movie”

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Director Rian Johnson is no stranger to receiving backlash from Star Wars fans after helming The Last Jedi, so that could explain why he’s chosen to leap to the defence of George Lucas and his prequels (The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith). 

However, the filmmaker made quite the case for the divisive trilogy, praising Lucas for delivering, “a gorgeous 7 hour long movie for children about how entitlement and fear of loss turns good people into fascists, and did it while spearheading nearly every technical sea change in modern filmmaking of the past 30 years.”

Say what you will about those movies, but Johnson isn’t wrong; Lucas made great use of green screen visual effects to create environments (the norm for blockbusters these days), while his intentions to tell the story of Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the Dark Side had a lot of strong moments…even if his execution was flawed.

In many ways, the Star Wars sequels are now more divisive that the prequels, and The Rise of Skywalker has faced a far more negative response than any of Lucas’ movies in many ways. Johnson, meanwhile, reportedly remains attached to another trilogy, though there’s no word on its status.

Check out his comments below:
 

Lucas made a gorgeous 7 hour long movie for children about how entitlement and fear of loss turns good people into fascists, and did it while spearheading nearly every technical sea change in modern filmmaking of the past 30 years.

— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) June 29, 2020

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THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Star Anne Hathaway Reveals Why Christopher Nolan Doesn’t Allow Chairs On Set

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During a recent interview with Variety, Anne Hathaway reflected in her time working with Christopher Nolan on both The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar. It’s no secret that the filmmaker has a unique approach to his work, but that’s paid off in a big way, especially as he’s now one of only a handful of directors whose name can be used to sell a blockbuster. 

Tenet is dictating when theaters re-open, and the hope is that it will be the movie that brings people back to multiplexes (hence why Disney decided to move Mulan after Nolan’s film opens). 

Hathaway explained that the filmmaker doesn’t allow phones on his sets – which is pretty standard – but also explained that Nolan doesn’t allow chairs either! “Chris also doesn’t allow chairs. I worked with him twice. He doesn’t allow chairs, and his reasoning is, if you have chairs, people will sit, and if they’re sitting, they’re not working,” she revealed.

“I mean, he has these incredible movies in terms of scope and ambition and technical prowess and emotion. It always arrives at the end under schedule and under budget. I think he’s onto something with the chair thing.” It may sound harsh, but it does make sense when you stop and think about it, and is something that’s paid off for Nolan over the years.

What do you guys make of Nolan’s lack of chairs on the set of his movies?

Click on the “Next” button below to check out the
Batman vs. Joker stories we want to see in The Batman sequel!
 

10. “Under The Hood”

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“Under the Hood” told the story of Jason Todd’s return to Gotham City as a murderous vigilante. He had been believed dead after being murdered by The Joker, but took on the identity originally held by the Clown Prince of Crime to get revenge on both him and his former mentor.

This story revolved mostly around the relationship between Batman and his former Robin, with The Joker more on the periphery, but that wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. Fans have been crying out for this for years, and Warner Bros. and Matt Reeves would be smart to make it happen.

Perhaps it could be revealed that Robin helped Batman during the first year of his career (seeing as The Batman takes place during the second) before being killed by The Joker? Failing that, this is a storyline which could be adapted in a third or fourth movie starring the Caped Crusader.
 

9. “Five Way Revenge”

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“Five Way Revenge” came at a time when Batman comics desperately needed to move away from the campy tone established by the 1960s TV series. The story revolved around The Joker’s attempt to take out five henchman who had displeased him in various ways, leaving the Dark Knight with no other choice than to protect those he would normally beat and put behind bars.

As well as showing The Joker’s disregard for those in his employ, this story increased the complexity of Batman and The Joker’s relationship. After ambushing a tired and weakened Batman, the villain decided that his victory was a case of luck rather than being the better man, so he chose to leave his foe alive. Elements of all of this in a movie would work nicely down the line. 

It’s an admittedly obscure tale, but one Reeves could flesh out in a multitude of satisfying ways. 
 

8. The Long Halloween

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A truly epic tale, The Long Halloween featured The Joker in a fairly minor, but still pivotal role. The story revolved around a year-long mystery as Batman took on almost all of his iconic foes while simultaneously trying to take down a mysterious murderer known only as “The Holiday Killer.”

Furious at being outshone by him, the Clown Prince of Crime took to the skies on New Year’s Eve in a bid to spread a poison gas across Gotham. An epic battle ensued which saw Batman battle his foe for control of the plane, at one point getting his cape caught in the propeller.

He eventually took The Joker down, and with rumblings that this storyline could be adapted in Matt Reeves’ The Batman, we’d definitely like to see this subplot adapted in a future movie.
 

7. Death Of The Family

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When The Joker escapes captivity, he leaves something behind; his face! Months later, the villain resurfaces and steals it back, spending this arc with the decomposing skin strapped to his face with a belt and fishing hooks. Things get even more twisted than that though when he starts targeting each of Batman’s closest allies, and this is begging for a big screen adaptation.

It’s revealed that Bruce has always suspected that The Joker knows his secret identity after he found a playing card left for him in the Batcave, while he also admits to visiting The Joker in Arkham Asylum (out of costume) to see if the villain would acknowledge him. Batman even claims to know his foe’s real name, leading to him jumping from a cliff before he can say it.

This storyline really deepened the Dark Knight’s relationship with the Clown Prince of Crime, and could be the best possible way to reintroduce the character in an original and memorable way.
 

6. “The Man Who Killed Batman”

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This is a story which hails from the massively popular Batman: The Animated Series rather than a comic book, but seeing elements of this classic tale in a movie would be no bad thing.

The unique episode focused on a hapless gangster known as Sid the Squid, a criminal who it appears succeeded in killing Batman. This obviously brings him in contact with many grateful bad guys, but The Joker is less pleased about this nobody doing what he never could.

Incensed by both that and the loss of his enemy, he looks to take out Sid, but is stopped at the last minute by a very much alive Batman. There’s obviously not enough here for an entire movie, but there’s no denying that elements of this could work brilliantly as a subplot or side story.
 

5. “The Man Who Laughs”

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Ed Brubaker and Doug Mahnke’s “The Man Who Laughs” serves as a modern retelling of the Clown Prince of Crime’s origin story, and serves as a loose sequel to “Batman: Year One.”

That alone could make it an ideal follow-up to The Batman, and while we got an origin for this villain in Joker, a comic accurate take which incorporates the Red Hood and ACE Chemicals would definitely be appreciated by fans. Batman could even spend most of the movie battling Red Hood before this transformation takes place and he’s introduced to his most twisted foe. 

“The Man Who Laughs” offered an in-depth, layered take on The Joker, and that’s definitely something which could help differentiate this version from the many great ones we’ve seen before.
 

4. The Killing Joke

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Arguably the most well-known and iconic Batman/Joker story of all-time, The Killing Joke is just begging to be adapted. While The Joker’s treatment of Barbara Gordon/Batgirl has always been mired in controversy (he shoots her, then proceeds to take nude photos of her to taunt her father with), that would need to be included here in some form, and hopefully in a better way.

Regardless, after attempting to mentally break Jim Gordon, an epic showdown with Batman ensues, but ends in a surprising way. The two share a laugh as they wait for the police to arrive, but there are those who speculate that the sudden end of The Joker’s laughter is because Batman kills him.

There’s nothing to say that this would have to be a 100% faithful adaptation, of course, but Reeves would definitely be wise to lift elements from this in order to make a clash between the two truly memorable.
 

3. “Endgame”

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A follow-up of sorts to “Death of the Family,” this story saw The Joker return to Gotham City more powerful than ever, poisoning the entire city with a formula which drives them insane.

The only way to cure them is for Batman to extract a mysterious chemical from The Joker’s spine, but there are hints along the way that the villain is actually hundreds of years old and possibly some sort of immortal who has been causing chaos in the city for centuries. Crazy, right?

That is later debunked when it’s revealed that he found a chemical which healed his face and gave him enhanced strength, and after a battle which sees both Batman and The Joker left bloodied and maimed, they’re buried underground. Needless to say, this has all the makings of an epic movie, and could be a great way to reinvent the Clown Prince of Crime for a new story.
 

2. The Dark Knight Returns

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Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice obviously paid homage to The Dark Knight Returns in a lot of ways, but The Joker was obviously nowhere to be seen, and the villain’s role in that famed Frank Miller story could very easily be used to influence a possible sequel to The Batman. 

Faking a recovery after years of being institutionalised, The Joker ends up poisoning an entire TV studio during an interview, and soon finds himself on a collision course with Batman as a result. However, the aged Batman in this story is in no mood to play games with his old foe, blinding him with a Batarang to the eye and breaking his neck after a vicious beating in a Tunnel of Love.

Unable to kill his paralysed enemy, The Joker laughs as he finishes the job, framing Batman for his murder in the process. Is this too dark for Reeves? Perhaps, but the villain could always fake his death!
 

1. “Death In The Family”

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This iconic tale saw readers vote to kill off Robin, and the youngster died after a brutal beating from The Joker with a crowbar. The image of Batman cradling his sidekick is iconic, and a moment which both changed the Caped Crusader forever and made people question why he would take a child into battle against foes as dangerous as the Clown Prince of Crime. 

As we’ve established, if “Under the Hood” is adapted, this needs to come first, and it would be no bad thing for The Batman sequel to adapt this story and deal with Jason Todd’s return down the line.

The DC Extended Universe hinted at Robin’s fate in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Zack Snyder would later reveal that the defaced costume belonged to Dick Grayson. We’d rather this franchise not head down a similar route, but the rise, fall, and resurrection of Robin is a story worth telling.
 

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SHAZAM! Concept Art Reveals An Early, Far More Memorable, Alternate Design For Wrath

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Concept artist Jerad S. Marantz has shared some of his early work from Shazam!, and revealed an eye-catching take on Wrath, one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Utilised by Dr. Sivana in the movie, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Envy, Pride, and Wrath all looked a tad generic, but this take on the latter definitely would have made a bigger impact on screen. 

It possible we’ll see more of the Seven Deadly Sins in Black Adam as Shazam! revealed that he had released them thousands of years earlier in a bid to avenge the murder of his family. 

It’s a shame the movie didn’t deliver a more memorable take on these monsters, and Marantz’s design definitely stands out. It’s unclear why director David F. Sandberg decided against going with this take, but it’s possible it boiled down to budgetary issues as this would have been expensive to create. 

Check out the concept art below:
 

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WANDAVISION: The Elizabeth Olsen/Paul Bettany Series Seemingly Ups Its Episode Order To Nine

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Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the premiere dates of both Marvel Studios miniseries The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and WandaVision have been put in a somewhat perpetual state of jeopardy, but since both are believed to be near-completion, many have been holding out hope that Marvel will decide to keep their original rumored August and December launch dates, respectively.

However, while the premiere dates remain a big question mark, it sounds like Marvel may be changing a few things behind-the-scenes as it’s been discovered by Murphy’s Multiverse (and later confirmed by MCU Cosmic) that the Kevin Feige-fronted studio has seemingly upped the episode order for the series from six to nine installments.

The unexpected discovery comes via an update on a stuntperson’s resume, where she listed herself as having worked on Episode 109 of the limited series and on the heels of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier star Anthony Mackie saying his series would feel like “a six or eight-hour movie,” possibly hinting that that series may also be more than the initially ordered six episodes. 

At the moment, every Disney+ series Marvel Studios has ordered – save for Tom Hiddleston’s Loki – is being labeled as a miniseries, meaning it’s unlikely (not impossible!) we get subsequent seasons for many of the entries as many of the characters are reintegrated into the films, including Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch) who is set to co-star in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in 2022.


 

WANDAVISION
Marvel Studios’ “WandaVision” blends the style of classic sitcoms with the Marvel Cinematic Universe in which Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany)—two super-powered beings living their ideal suburban lives—begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems. The new series is directed by Matt Shakman; Jac Schaeffer is head writer. Debuts on Disney+ this year.

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THE OLD GUARD Character Posters & Motion Posters Offer New Details On Charlize Theron’s Immortal Team

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Following those new stills and clips, Netflix has also released a series of character posters and character motion posters from The Old Guard, spotlighting each individual member of Academy Award-winner Charlize Theron’s (Mad Max: Fury Road; F9) elite team of immortal beings and offering new tidbits of information.

Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball; Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger) directed the feature from a screenplay from Greg Rucka (Stumptown; Whiteout), who also penned the original comic series. 

In addition to Theron, the cast also features KiKi Layne (If Beale Street Could Talk; Captive State), Matthias Schoenaerts (Red Sparrow; The Danish Girl), Marwan Kenzari (Aladdin; Murder on the Orient Express), Luca Marinelli (Trust; They Call Me Jeeg), Harry Melling (Harry Potter; The Ballad of Buster Scruggs), and Veronica Ngo (Da 5 Bloods; Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi) and Academy Award-nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor (Doctor Strange; 12 Years a Slave).

How many lifetimes has she lived? pic.twitter.com/dR95ow8zhq

— The Old Guard (@oldguardmovie) June 15, 2020

Nile Freeman. The newest addition to this extraordinary group. pic.twitter.com/4eNSUHM6iK

— The Old Guard (@oldguardmovie) June 18, 2020

They each have a role to play. pic.twitter.com/5e1TrNV2yz

— The Old Guard (@oldguardmovie) June 22, 2020

Eternity doesn’t have to be a solo endeavor. pic.twitter.com/mWDJVRcHIG

— The Old Guard (@oldguardmovie) June 23, 2020

It was like destiny. pic.twitter.com/7rIuepo9f0

— The Old Guard (@oldguardmovie) June 24, 2020

Led by a warrior named Andy (Charlize Theron), a covert group of tight-knit mercenaries with a mysterious inability to die have fought to protect the mortal world for centuries. But when the team is recruited to take on an emergency mission and their extraordinary abilities are suddenly exposed, it’s up to Andy and Nile (KiKi Layne), the newest soldier to join their ranks, to help the group eliminate the threat of those who seek to replicate and monetize their power by any means necessary. Based on the acclaimed graphic novel by Greg Rucka and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (LOVE & BASKETBALL, BEYOND THE LIGHTS), THE OLD GUARD is a gritty, grounded, action-packed story that shows living forever is harder than it looks.

The Old Guard starts streaming July 10

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