Writer-producer Ryan McGonagle announced today, his partnership with Brothers Rick and Danny Elfman, for home invasion thriller "Gambit's Game."
Danny Elfman, known for scoring numerous Tim Burton films, such as "Edward Scissorhands," and "Corpse Bride," will compose the opening theme. Rick, creator of indy cult favorite "Forbidden Zone" and member of 80s group, The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, takes the directing chair.
Rick explains, “Once I read Ryan's script I instantly knew it was something special. Ryan has such a unique voice in the way he tells his stories. Perfect blend of horror and suspense, 'Gambit's Game' will keep you guessing till the very end.”
Taking place through the week of Christmas, “Gambit's Game,” follows a team of ruthless home invaders and their surprise encounter with a lonely old widower.
“I've always wanted to make a Christmas movie set in Los Angeles. With the spirit of 'Bloody Bobby' happening on Halloween, we are adding this to our roster of holiday classics,” says writer-producer Ryan McGonagle.
McGonagle's grindhouse comedy “Bloody Bobby: The Fall Creek Valley Massacre,” currently in post-production, is added along with “Gambit's Game,” to a slate of many twisted tall tales, beginning in 2015.
Danny Elfman, known for scoring numerous Tim Burton films, such as "Edward Scissorhands," and "Corpse Bride," will compose the opening theme. Rick, creator of indy cult favorite "Forbidden Zone" and member of 80s group, The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, takes the directing chair.
Rick explains, “Once I read Ryan's script I instantly knew it was something special. Ryan has such a unique voice in the way he tells his stories. Perfect blend of horror and suspense, 'Gambit's Game' will keep you guessing till the very end.”
Taking place through the week of Christmas, “Gambit's Game,” follows a team of ruthless home invaders and their surprise encounter with a lonely old widower.
“I've always wanted to make a Christmas movie set in Los Angeles. With the spirit of 'Bloody Bobby' happening on Halloween, we are adding this to our roster of holiday classics,” says writer-producer Ryan McGonagle.
McGonagle's grindhouse comedy “Bloody Bobby: The Fall Creek Valley Massacre,” currently in post-production, is added along with “Gambit's Game,” to a slate of many twisted tall tales, beginning in 2015.
Ryan thanks for much for doing this interview as I am really stoked to hear about your new film Gambit's Game. There is some great Xmas horror movies but not nearly enough! Is this a brand new Xmas story or is it an adaptation of a classic tale?
I wouldn't say it's a Christmas movie at all. This is a straight up edge of your seat nail biter. I used Christmas as a contrast to the tension you feel as you follow these characters through the story. You defiantly wont find Gambit's Game playing in a double feature with "It's a Wonderful Life" or "Miracle on 34th Street". But I do think it would compliment "Die Hard" really well. (Laughs) Isn't that a Christmas movie?
I noticed this film is holiday themed like Bloody Bobby is for Halloween. Is there a seasonal strategy to your work and can we expect more holiday themed movies in the future?
Actually no. But if it works maybe that should be my thing? (laughs) When I came up with Bloody Bobby, Halloween was always the center point of the story. I love the holiday, I love that time of year, so I started from there. Then added a story about a little trick or treater that comes back from the dead to wreck havoc in a small town. With Gambit's Game the process was a little different. It wasn't until I was done with the first draft I came up with the Christmas back drop as a setting.
How did you get your script to Richard Elfman? I am huge fan of his film Shrunken Heads!!
Through John Marshall. John has been a friend of the Elfman family for years. Richard mentioned to him that he wanted to make a mainstream type movie. So John set up a meeting at a coffee shop called the Bourgeois Pig in Hollywood for us to meet. I really wasn't expecting to do a full on pitch when I walked in. Maybe it was the right amount of coffee in my system, but I got excited and pitched Richard the story. So to make a long story short a few months later we are in pre-production.
In my mind any movie with a theme by Danny Elfman becomes an instant classic. For sure his music will be celebrated for the rest of history. What does having this theme mean for Gambit's Game?
That is huge for me. Danny is genius, just look at his body of work. It's like I am living a dream when I think about having Danny Elfman's work set the tone for Gambit's Game. Just amazing!
Will there be some of the cast of Bloody Bobby returning for Gambit's Game?
Yes, Curt Clendenin who played the twins Reggie and Alex Griffin in Bloody Bobby will be in the film as Detective Newman. I am a big fan of Curt as an actor, so when I wrote Gambit's Game I always knew he would end up in it somehow. The Interesting part is the role is so different from other roles I've seen him in. It will be fun to see what spin can Curt take this character. Besides Curt, Dave Uchansky who played Sheriff Leavitt in Bloody Bobby has a small roll. Also, I don't want to give away anything but keep an eye out for "Big" Dick McGee. He just might make a cameo.
Is Gambit's Game going to be crowd funded?
No! Thank god I don't have to go down that road this time. So much work and time goes into your campaign when you are crowd funded. Plus it has changed a lot in the last few years. It used to be for new artist trying to get their passion projects funded and made. Then the next thing you know Hollywood studios and celebrities started doing multi million dollar campaigns. Kind of lost it's charm after that. I'm not saying crowd funding is bad at all, I just believe it is a little over saturated right now.
What exactly is Christmas like in LA?
No snow and Santa wears Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.
Off topic, but how do you feel about businesses decorating for Xmas in November?
I know a lot of people like to complain about it. Sure I get annoyed sometimes when I see Christmas decorations coming out on October 31st. But Christmas is big business so I get why they do it. Plus, it's a lot of work decorating for the holidays. So do it as soon as possible so you can enjoy it before you have to tear it all down and put away until next year.
Thanks again and I can't wait to check out Gambit's Game and Bloody Bobby!!
Thank you for the interview. Hopefully we can do this again soon.
I wouldn't say it's a Christmas movie at all. This is a straight up edge of your seat nail biter. I used Christmas as a contrast to the tension you feel as you follow these characters through the story. You defiantly wont find Gambit's Game playing in a double feature with "It's a Wonderful Life" or "Miracle on 34th Street". But I do think it would compliment "Die Hard" really well. (Laughs) Isn't that a Christmas movie?
I noticed this film is holiday themed like Bloody Bobby is for Halloween. Is there a seasonal strategy to your work and can we expect more holiday themed movies in the future?
Actually no. But if it works maybe that should be my thing? (laughs) When I came up with Bloody Bobby, Halloween was always the center point of the story. I love the holiday, I love that time of year, so I started from there. Then added a story about a little trick or treater that comes back from the dead to wreck havoc in a small town. With Gambit's Game the process was a little different. It wasn't until I was done with the first draft I came up with the Christmas back drop as a setting.
How did you get your script to Richard Elfman? I am huge fan of his film Shrunken Heads!!
Through John Marshall. John has been a friend of the Elfman family for years. Richard mentioned to him that he wanted to make a mainstream type movie. So John set up a meeting at a coffee shop called the Bourgeois Pig in Hollywood for us to meet. I really wasn't expecting to do a full on pitch when I walked in. Maybe it was the right amount of coffee in my system, but I got excited and pitched Richard the story. So to make a long story short a few months later we are in pre-production.
In my mind any movie with a theme by Danny Elfman becomes an instant classic. For sure his music will be celebrated for the rest of history. What does having this theme mean for Gambit's Game?
That is huge for me. Danny is genius, just look at his body of work. It's like I am living a dream when I think about having Danny Elfman's work set the tone for Gambit's Game. Just amazing!
Will there be some of the cast of Bloody Bobby returning for Gambit's Game?
Yes, Curt Clendenin who played the twins Reggie and Alex Griffin in Bloody Bobby will be in the film as Detective Newman. I am a big fan of Curt as an actor, so when I wrote Gambit's Game I always knew he would end up in it somehow. The Interesting part is the role is so different from other roles I've seen him in. It will be fun to see what spin can Curt take this character. Besides Curt, Dave Uchansky who played Sheriff Leavitt in Bloody Bobby has a small roll. Also, I don't want to give away anything but keep an eye out for "Big" Dick McGee. He just might make a cameo.
Is Gambit's Game going to be crowd funded?
No! Thank god I don't have to go down that road this time. So much work and time goes into your campaign when you are crowd funded. Plus it has changed a lot in the last few years. It used to be for new artist trying to get their passion projects funded and made. Then the next thing you know Hollywood studios and celebrities started doing multi million dollar campaigns. Kind of lost it's charm after that. I'm not saying crowd funding is bad at all, I just believe it is a little over saturated right now.
What exactly is Christmas like in LA?
No snow and Santa wears Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.
Off topic, but how do you feel about businesses decorating for Xmas in November?
I know a lot of people like to complain about it. Sure I get annoyed sometimes when I see Christmas decorations coming out on October 31st. But Christmas is big business so I get why they do it. Plus, it's a lot of work decorating for the holidays. So do it as soon as possible so you can enjoy it before you have to tear it all down and put away until next year.
Thanks again and I can't wait to check out Gambit's Game and Bloody Bobby!!
Thank you for the interview. Hopefully we can do this again soon.
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