Hardly anyone would have thought it possible in 1984 that the exploitation classic ‘The Toxic Avenger’ would ever be re-released with a Hollywood cast – even though production company Troma once scored its biggest hit with the superhero splatter, which eventually spawned three films, sequels and a own animated series were received. And yet, even for die-hard fans of the series, it will still be quite surreal at what point the low-budget saga has now reached: Of “The poisonous avengerA reboot awaits us soon – including a well-known cast Peter Dinklage, Elijah Wood, Kevin Bacon And Jane Levy belong.
And although in such a case you often have to wait and see whether the film is actually made, we can reassure you: the production has long been completed and will have its world premiere tonight! Exclusively via To get you in the mood, some new photos from the film have now been published. But be careful, Especially “Lord of the Rings” fans may have nightmares when they see the scary Elijah Wood…
While ‘Game Of Thrones’ star Dinklage will play the title hero, also known here as ‘Atomic Hero’, Wood will take on the role of a villain named Fritz Garbinger – whose appearance, incidentally, is inspired by the penguin from Tim Burton’s ‘Batman Returns’. Kevin Bacon, wielding a mysterious tincture in the photo above, plays Bob Garbinger, who likely has something to do with the Toxic Avenger’s transformation.
Fans of the original will especially enjoy seeing Peter Dinklage in a tutu, as this is clearly a nod to the original – that’s what you do in this country anyway in the limited media book* including a German dubbed version or optionally as an import (German soundtrack) in a cost-effective set of 4 including all three sequels:
Despite some similarities, those familiar with the original should be prepared for some changes in the reboot, which is in no way intended as a 1:1 remake. Nevertheless, or perhaps because of that, ‘The Toxic Avenger’ is also one of the films that FILMSTARTS editor Daniel Fabian is currently particularly looking forward to – after all, for him the 1984 original is one of the ultimate splatter classics.
“The Toxic Avenger”: The reboot will also be bloody, brutal and revealing
Before you start worrying about yet another self-indulgent genre classic being softened: After Long ago it was announced that “The Toxic Avenger” was “very much in the tradition of Troma.”the crazy film even received the US age rating: for “Strong violence and gore, language throughout, sexual references and brief graphic nudity” – i.e. lots of violence and bloodshed, strong language, sexual innuendo and nudity – traditionally gave it an R rating.
At the center of the story is janitor Winston Gooze, played by Dinklage, who falls into a barrel of toxic waste and eventually transforms into the Toxic Avenger. From then on, he declares war on the evil forces in his hometown and confronts the corruption that exists there to give his son, his friends and the entire community a better life.
“The Toxic Avenger” celebrates its world premiere today, September 21, at Fantastic Fest. There is no German start date yet.