Clearly it's a week for unexpected and belated sequels. A day after the news that Robin Hardy is prepping the final part of his Wicker Man trilogy, comes the revelation that Hawk The Slayer is also set to return, 35 years after his first adventure. Original director Terry Marcel, in cahoots with 2000AD publishers Rebellion, is about to launch a crowdfunding campaign for Hawk The Hunter.
Much beloved of VHS-era schoolboys, the 1980 Hawk starred John Terry (the guy from Lost, not the footballer) as the titular adventurer, with Jack Palance as his scenery-chewing evil older brother Voltan. Casting support came from Brit stalwarts like Bernard Bresslaw and Roy Kinnear. Voltan kills his father and kidnaps a nun. Hawk mounts a rescue mission with a sorceress, a dwarf, an elf, a giant with a big mallet, and the ancient power of the Sword Of Mind.
The details of Hawk The Hunter are sketchy at present, pending a full announcement by Marcel at FrightFest next month. We know that Marcel will be delegating the directing duties this time, but it's unclear who's replacing him; whether any cast is yet in place (although Ray Charleson seems possible - see below); or if this is the same film as Hawk The Destroyer, the unrealised sequel Marcel was already talking about thirty years ago. All - or at least more - will no doubt be revealed in due course. Update: Marcel has now announced on Hawk The Hunter**'s Facebook page that Rick Wakeman will be providing the soundtrack.
"Hawk the Slayer was important to me as a boy," says Rebellion CEO Jason Kingsley, "and has remained an important touchstone for me now as an adult. It blazed a shining path of true sword and sorcery movie magic for others to follow. I am delighted, and slightly awed, to be part of the team helping to create more adventures for Hawk and his friends."
"This is a dream come true," says Marcel. "I’m delighted to be working with a true fan of sword-and-sorcery whose talent means the possibilities for Hawk are endless – keep watching Hawk fans!"
Rebellion have also snapped up the games and publishing rights to the property. With exquisite timing, a new Hawk The Slayer Blu-ray is out on Monday from Network. We'll update on Hawk The Hunter shortly, following the kick-starting of the Kickstarter.