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24 August 2009
Pegg + Landis = Burke and Hare
Edinburgh bodysnatching in preproduction
Source: Dread Central

Pegg + Landis = Burke and Hare

Simon Pegg's full-frontal assault on Hollywood looks set to continue, with the news from horror maestros Dread Central that he'll be heading up a new version of the gruesome Burke and Hare legend, directed by John Landis.

William Burke and William Hare, to refresh your memory, were the nineteenth-century murderers with the resourceful motive of selling their victims to the Edinburgh Medical College for dissection by the students. They were caught in 1828, whereupon Hare was given immunity from prosecution for telling on Burke, who was promptly hung and publicly dismembered in the name of medical science.

The story has made the screen several times before: not least as The Flesh and the Fiends with Peter Cushing and Donald Pleasance, The Anatomist with Alistair Sim, and The Doctor and the Devils with Timothy Dalton.

But a new version is completely welcome if it means the return of John Landis, who, aside from a couple of Masters of Horror instalments and bits and pieces of other TV, hasn't directed since 1998. A potential new comedy horror from the man behind An American Werewolf in London and the underrated Innocent Blood, is a lip-smacking prospect indeed.

Simon Pegg's presence in a film that presumably centres on a double-act obviously begs the question of whether Nick Frost will be involved. But the pair aren't joined at the hip, and Pegg has successfully worked without Frost before. Plus there's always the possibility that Pegg won't be playing either of the bodysnatchers. Previous versions have focused on their best customer Dr Robert Knox.

Owen Williams

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Your Comments
My friend from milton keynes has just landed himself a part for an extra in this film. JEALOUS! its got a great cast as well... simon pegg, andy serkis, tom wilkinson, john cleese etc. ... Read More

MartyW About me

17:23, 09 March 2010 | Report This Post
The real story needs to be told
Being from Edinburgh I have grown up with the real account of the Burke and Hare murders and it really disheartens me that it is to be made into another black comedy. The real story is horrendous and is crying out for someone to make an accurate adaptation. For instance among the 16 known victims was a 12 year old mute boy. His grandmother had just been murdered in the next room but B&H and their wives didn't want the boy to go free in case he brought the police back to Hare's lodging house ... Read More

shepherd7138 About me

23:15, 05 October 2009 | Report This Post
Don't forget to mention....
Apparently Burke's skin was used to make covers for some journals. ... Read More

venompd About me

11:53, 24 August 2009 | Report This Post
B&H
I have been longing for another version of the Burke and Hare story for so long and to have the great John Landis attached AND Simon Pegg is just amazing! I am so looking forward to this film and, to be honest, if Nick Frost was to be asked to be involved, that's no bad thing!!! ... Read More

FilmFanatik About me

11:20, 24 August 2009 | Report This Post
RE: A Better Idea
Why don't we all just get a life. ... Read More

drich90215 About me

10:29, 24 August 2009 | Report This Post
lets hope that nick frost will come on board with pegg ... Read More

rsymmons About me

09:25, 24 August 2009 | Report This Post

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