Was Phantasm Ravager planned 30+ years ago?

In the absence of news or a release date for the new Phantasm sequel, phans have taken to examining the previous four films for clues as to the direction of David Hartman's fifth. And - surprisingly - one of those phans has come upon irrefutable evidence that Don Coscarelli had secret plans for a fifth Phantasm when he first made the original film back in 1977.

Have a look at the video below, which was submitted by the talented Filemon Pi Piripi, and be sure to pay close attention to Reggie's truck!

Phantasm Ravager's Mega-Sphere

What little bit of footage we've seen from Phantasm Ravager has already raised so many questions, particularly where that giant skyscraper-desrtoying silver sphere is concerned. How does this mega-sphere fit into series mythology? Surely there isn't a massive brain inside of it per previous balls... or some Godzilla-esque creature roaming around from which such a huge brain originated? Perhaps the mega-sphere is comprised of many smaller spheres.... or possibly it's all just a Phantasm and we're not meant to know.... yet.

Regardless, phan and video artist Filemon Pi Piripi shared with us this terrific video inspired by that mega-sphere. Click play below to see the mega-sphere leveling yet another towering building!

Let's Talk About Fake Phantasm Props...

This year has seen an unusually high number of purportedly authentic Phantasm props crop up on the online auction market. Dozens of spheres have appeared on both iCollector and eBay, but we have yet to see adequate proof that any of these actually hail from a Phantasm production. Considering how much of a prop hoarder Don Coscarelli is (seriously, this guy even kept mausoleum wallpaper from the original Phantasm!), you should always demand proof that whatever prop you're interested in is legitimate. Props and wardrobe have managed to escape Phantasm sets with cast and crew before, but these are few and far between. Even fewer items have escaped to the hands of collectors.

Filmmaker and effects creator Kerry Prior, whose sphere work on the series thus far includes Phantasm II, Phantasm III and Phantasm Oblivion, chimed in on this very blog with a comment last week that I'd like to share with you all now. Take it as a warning.

I was contacted recently by a fellow looking for me to verify that the Phantasm Sphere he had purchased on Ebay was in fact genuine. It even came with a "certificate of authenticity." I had to tell him that it was fake.

While it is possible that the occasional prop found it's way off the set--(at least one was given as a gift, that to Bob Ivy for an amazing stunt he did on P-III; some (2 motion control spheres) were archived in Dreamquest Images' storage vaults; and there's no accounting for any spheres in the hands of those sphere-guys who came before me...) as a general rule, if it shows up on Ebay, it's not genuine. I've never sold a prop from the Phantasm (I have two spheres from P-III and I can see them from here) although I did make some props from the original molds for a diehard "Phan" many years ago, I'm certain he will never part with them. But, to be sure, if it comes with a COA with my signature, it is unquestioningly a fake.

Hope that helps.

Kerry Prior

Scrimm interviewed in UK's SCREAM Magazine

UK phans, hear this! Angus Scrimm has been interviewed by SCREAM Magazine for their thirtieth issue. The interview was conducted by writer Brianne Marie at Atlanta's Days of the Dead show here in the states. While the piece isn't terribly long, it does give a nice career overview of everyone's favorite Tall Man, who also shares the cover with the shark from JAWS and Sid Haig's Captain Spaulding. I found the issue to be thoroughly enjoyable. Come for the Tall Man, but stay for the other interviews.

Here's to hoping SCREAM devotes more coverage to Scrimm and the series as Phantasm Ravager gears up for release. Interested phans can order a physical copy of the issue from SCREAM's website. Early word is that this issue is bound to sell out from the JAWS fanbase alone. You can also nab a digital download for just $1.99.

About that Mondo Phantasm Vinyl...

I know many phans have been patiently awaiting official word on when the limited edition Phantasm Vinyl from Mondo would be made available online. The spiffy new release was first made available earlier this month at Texas Frightmare Weekend in both white-marble and blood-red editions. Mondo's Justin Ishmael has given word that the vinyl will be released online through Mondo's website this upcoming Wednesday, 5/27. These things tend to sell out very quickly, so I wouldn't hesitate once they become available!

I was extremely fortunate to have a man on the inside at Texas Frightmare who snagged me a white-marble edition of the release. I've snapped photos of it, which you can see below. Click any image to make it bigger.

 

 

Retro Phantasm Comic Book Covers!

When it comes to Phantasm comics, phans have really not been given their due. We were treated to one issue of Stephen Romano's enjoyable "Overminds" mini-series more than a decade ago, but there is so much more that could be explored through this unique medium. Fortunately, there are some mighty talented artists out there who just so happen to be phans. One such person from that talented lot is Joey Solis. Joey has a knack for creating retro-comic book covers and has drawn up three images from what Phantasm might have looked like had it been adapted into comic form back in 1979.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I need this to be real! These covers are so tantalizing and genuinely look like they might have been from a rejected 1979 Marvel Comics proposal. If you dig these, add Joey to your Friend's List on Facebook to see more of his artwork. He's also on Instagram under the username "w.media.

Click any image to see it larger

New Phantasm Ravager Stills, Trailer Description

Well, what we all suspected indeed happened last night. Don Coscarelli and the cast unveiled new footage from Phantasm Ravager at the Alamo Drafthouse screening of the first film in Texas. Quint from Ain't It Cool News has a detailed write-up on the material, which you can read here. He also shared three personal photos from his set visit to the production "many moons ago," which I've re-posted below. Click them to enlarge.

What's most interesting to me about Quint's footage description is the scene between Mike and Reggie in the psych hospital, which strongly evokes Stephen Romano's unproduced Phantasm Forever screenplay, which by most accounts remains the greatest Phantasm story never told. I'm glad they are revisiting the psych hospital angle for the franchise, which was first attempted briefly in Phantasm II but not focused on very much.

As for the film's release date, attendees are reporting that Don Coscarelli revealed the film is STILL in post-production and that they're STILL trying to find a home for it.