In a recent interview with SFX Magazine, Troma’s headmaster Lloyd Kaufman talked about the future of one of the most notable franchises in the land of Tromaville: The Toxic Avenger. And seems like Toxie is going to be back after almost two decades since the last entry in the saga, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV (2000).
First of all, he talked about the status of the next series follow-up, so far merely called Toxic Avenger 5. “It’s definitely coming. The problem is that we need to get our new Troma movie, Shakespeare’s Shitstorm (2019), which is our version of The Tempest, out into the cinemas and on DVD so that we can get some money together for it. This is a very ambitious Toxic Avenger movie. The script is complete and it will focus on Toxie’s two children who, 20 years after part four, have all grown up. And one has mutated into a very strange being”, he said in laughs. Shakespeare’s Shitstorm (2019) is directed by Kaufman, who also wrote the script together with Brandon Bassham.
The Toxic Avenger 5 script has been written by popular filmmaker James Gunn, who before reaching the podium of blockbuster directors with his Marvel movies Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) he started his film career in Troma as part of the writing team of Tromeo and Juliet (1996), Terror Firmer (1999) and LolliLove (2004). An avid horror fan, he also collaborated in the scripts for Thir13en Ghosts (2001) and what has been called to be one of the best zombie movies of the new millennium Dawn of the Dead (2004). Also, he has been responsible for the hit underground classics Slither (2006) and the fantastic and personal favorite Super (2010). So knowing that Gunn has taken care of the script for Toxic Avenger 5, one can believe the saga is in good hands. And Lloyd Kaufman agrees with that, stating “fans can expect more low-budget action with the usual Troma mix of girls, guts and gruesome gore. Toxie is going to go to Chernobyl in this one. It will cost just $100,000 – but I think it is the best one yet”.
Lloyd Kaufman also spoke about the remake for The Toxic Avenger (1984). He said “Conrad Vernon, who directed Shrek 2 (2004) and Sausage Party (2016) is attached. I have spoken to him and he knows all the Troma movies and is a big fan. I think he really understands The Toxic Avenger and I believe he will bring a cartoon sensibility to it. This is his first live-action movie and we hope it gets rolling soon”. Having developed most of his films under the wings of Dreamworks, The Toxic Avenger remake will mark indeed the first non-animation movie by Conrad Vernon. The guy behind Monsters vs. Aliens (2009) and Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012) has his next project announced, The Addams Family (2019), a stop-motion animated version of Charles Addams‘ series of cartoons. Perhaps the best way to warm up before taking the reigns of one of Troma’s flagships?
