Eli Roth (History of Horror, Cabin Fever) and rapper/performer Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson have teamed up for three upcoming films with 3BlackDot, with a diverse group of writers on board each project.
Roth's role as writer, director, and producer has long placed him at the center of horror culture. That includes his epic series Eli Roth's History of Horror, which gives a detailed rundown of several decades of horror-film production and audience reception. While known primarily for his music, Jackson is no stranger to the big and small screen, having produced, written, and acted in numerous capacities, including roles in films like Den of Thieves and The Expendables 4.
According to Deadline, the three films from Roth and Jackson are The Gun, Trackmaster, and Creature House, and they place an emphasis on increasing BIPOC representation in the horror genre. The writers behind the films include Kirkland Morris (BMF, Power Book IV: Force), Justin Calen-Chenn (Bel-Air, Limited Edition), Dallas Jackson (Blumhouse's Thriller, The System), and Kevin Grevioux (King of Killers, Underworld). Electromagnetic Productions will produce alongside Jackson's G-Unit Film & Television.
“It was extremely important to me that through my horror slate we focus on increasing BIPOC representation," Jackson said in a statement. "I feel like I have the best team in place here to do so.” Roth agrees, adding, “I’m a huge fan of 50 as an artist and producer and am so excited to bring these stories to life. The whole team has put together an exciting trio of films which will terrify and thrill audiences globally.”
All three films present unique, dynamic storylines with BIPOC characters at their center. The Gun, written by Kirkland Morris, involves a young man seeking revenge for his father’s death who finds a gun haunted by an evil force. Trackmaster (written by Justin Calen-Chenn) follows a burgeoning rap duo who samples a beat that accidentally unleashes an ancient spirit intent on murdering anyone who hears it. The third, Creature House (Dallas Jackson and Kevin Grevioux) finds a group of mourners trapped in a horror movie museum after the death of a famed make-up and special effects guru.
The films bode well in a Hollywood environment finally opening up to diverse ideas and new viewpoints in horror storytelling that these three films will surely offer. Filmmakers like Jordan Peele (Get Out, Nope), Nia DaCosta (Candyman), and Remi Weekes (His House) have offered unique horror stories, and now a new roster of talent can do the same. While no details are available just yet on when their release will be, fans of Roth and 50 Cent eagerly await more information, as do audiences in search of horror from marginalized voices.
Source: Deadline