Executives claim this partnership is a 'shared commitment to fans' aimed at delivering experiential horror to new audiences while respecting the original legacy.
Insiders whisper that 'respecting legacy' is code for milking the 'Gates of Hell' trilogy for easy IP. The 'built-in sequel opportunity' mentioned in the press release is the real money-maker here.
1. The deal was announced Oct 8, 2026. 2. Original film 'The Beyond' (1981) was written by Dardano Sacchetti, Giorgio Mariuzzo, and Lucio Fulci. 3. Hangtime Co-CEO Frank Murray explicitly cited 'sequel opportunity' in the statement.
Nothing says 'passion for horror' quite like a press release that immediately pivots to 'sequel opportunity.' Grab your popcorn and your skepticism.
The horror world is shaking, and not because of a jump scare. Variety reports that Hangtime International Pictures and Severin Films have forged a strategic partnership to secure remake rights to genre films, with Lucio Fulci’s 1981 cult classic “The Beyond” serving as the inaugural project. For those who live for the receipts, the timing is suspiciously perfect for the upcoming Halloween season hype cycle, but let’s look at the actual players behind the curtain.
This isn't just a random acquisition; it’s a calculated move by executives who know exactly how to sell nostalgia to the streaming era. Frank Murray, the co-CEO of Hangtime, didn’t mince words in his statement regarding the deal. He framed the project as a “rare opportunity” to “reimagine” and “contemporize” the film for new audiences.
But here is where the tea gets hot: Murray explicitly mentioned loving the “built-in sequel opportunity afforded us by Fulci’s Gates of Hell universe.” When a producer starts talking about sequels in the very first paragraph of a remake announcement, you know this isn’t just about art—it’s about franchise building. The original film, written by Dardano Sacchetti, Giorgio Mariuzzo, and Fulci himself, is the second installment in that infamous trilogy, making it a ripe target for a multi-picture deal.
On the other side of the table, Severin Films, long considered the gold standard for physical media preservation, is bringing its “uniquely knowledgeable creative sounding board” to the party. Co-founder David Gregory emphasized their two decades of “restoring and releasing genre films with the utmost respect for their originality.” It’s a diplomatic line, sure, but one has to wonder if Severin’s involvement is enough to assuage the fears of purists who view remakes as sacrilege.
Frida Torresblanco, Hangtime’s other co-CEO, praised Severin as the “ideal partner” for navigating the complex rights process, hinting that securing the English-language rights to “The Beyond” (originally “… E tu vivrai nel terrore! L’aldilà”) was no small feat. The deal was brokered by Severin’s Italian correspondent Manlio Gomarasca and RTI Mediaset International sales manager Claudia Marra.
Marra expressed excitement about finding “strong and passionate partners,” noting that “there is already a great deal of excitement around the project.” While the execs are busy patting themselves on the back for “delivering for new horror audiences,” the underlying strategy is clear: leverage the prestige of restoration brands to soften the blow of Hollywood’s latest attempt to cash in on Italian gore. We’ll be watching to see if this “reimagining” holds up or if it’s just another case of old wine in new, overpriced bottles.
