The dead have returned to tell their tales in a featurette for Paramount+’sPet Sematary: Bloodlines. Crawling out of the grave and onto the streamer onOctober 6,the film will serve as a prequel story to the belovedPet Semataryfilms that have come before, and theStephen Kingnovel that started it all. Digging into what audiences can expect from the haunting feature, the cast and crew came together to uncover the story behindPet Sematary: Bloodlines.
While the original novel centers on a family new to the town of Ludlow, Maine,Pet Sematary: Bloodlineswill give afuller background and origin storyto not only the town but also one of the characters, Jud Crandall. “Jud as a young man was an obvious story to tell for a prequel,” the film’s producer,Mark Vahradianexplains, adding that the character, who was last played byJohn Lithgowin 2019’sPet Sematary, was a major hit with fans. Vahradian goes on to share how the production landed on a specific chapter from King’s novel which centered around the story of Timmy Baterman—a young man who is resurrected by the sinister forces of the cemetery. Hearing fromDavid Duchovny, who stars as Timmy’s father,Bill, theX-Filesalum refers toBloodlinesas “a Frankenstein story,” but, because of its family connections, things become even messier. As thefilm’s director,Lindsey Anderson Beersays, the production asks the major question “What would you risk to bring somebody that you loved back to life?”
Leading the cast as the young version ofJud CrandallisJackson White(Ambulance), with anensemblethat includesForrest Goodluck(The Revenant),Natalie Alyn Lind(The Goldbergs),Jack Mulhern(Mare of Easttown), andSamantha Mathis(American Psycho).
A Cast Filled with Icons
Along with White and the rest of the young stars,Bloodlinesalso tapped the very familiar names of Duchovny,Pam Grier, andHenry Thomas. Famously known for his role in the classic sci-fi horror series,The X-Files, Duchovny has been a major player in Hollywood for three decades, also appearing in titles includingAquariusandCalifornication. Known best for her groundbreaking performances in iconic blaxploitation films such asCoffy,Foxy Brown, andQuentin Tarantino’sJackie Brown, Grier has also appeared in several popular television shows includingThe L WordandBless This Mess. Finally, Thomas has long been a driving force in the sci-fi and horror community having made his big break inSteven Spielberg’sE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Nowadays, the star is a frequent collaborator with jump-scare masterMike Flanaganas the duo has worked together on projects includingGerald’s Game,Doctor Sleep,The Haunting of Hill House,Midnight Mass, and more, with his next Flanagan pairing in the upcoming series,The Fall of the House of Usher.
Hear from the cast and team behindPet Sematary: Bloodlinesin the featurette below. All interviews featured were completed during production earlier this year.
