Director and co-screenwriter Anthony Brownigg is continuing the story-line his father, S.F. Brownigg, began. Brownigg’s Don’t Look in the Basement 2 is set forty years after his father’s film, The Forgotten, originally titled Don’t Look in the Basement, ended. Don’t Look in the Basement 2 follows the only known survivor of a mass murder returns to the institution where the brutal killings took place. The survivor’s presence triggers a series of increasingly disturbing events.
Anthony Brownigg made the following statement:
As a young boy watching my father direct Don’t Look in the Basement, I couldn’t have known that it would define his career as a director. He always wanted to produce a sequel, and as I grew older we talked about the storyline, but sadly he was lost to us before he could complete it.
I spent 20 years looking for the right opportunity to film a sequel, but I wasn’t the only one. Because my father’s film is now public domain a number of people have attempted a Don’t Look in the Basement reboot—about four in the last 12 years or so. If I’d done a sequel during that time my story would have conflicted with theirs, and I didn’t want that to happen.
Nevertheless, people assumed that I was involved with those other reboot attempts, and one by one those productions fell through. That’s when Danny Redd, a long-time friend of mine, urged me to get busy with “Basement 2”.
I could see that the timing was right, so I immediately contacted Megan Emerick who agreed to work with me on the script. Then Danny introduced me to David Rennke who, after listening to our ideas, suggested we add Andrew Sensenig to the team. Within just a day or two our project was funded, and we had compiled a rough production schedule.
Everything I learned about film I learned from my dad. I found it inspiring to film on his original set and work with others who’d had a direct or indirect connection to my father’s film. The cast and crew brought far more to the project than I ever could have expected, and I learned how incredibly passionate and committed filmmakers in Texas are. As a result, I no longer feel that this film is my legacy to my father; it’s our legacy to Texas filmmaking.
From the Press Release:
Brownrigg strengthened the connection of ‘Basement 2’ to his father’s earlier film by casting Camilla Carr in a featured role and revisiting the Trinity Institute (formerly Westminster College) in Tehuacana, Texas, for four weeks of principal filming. Dallas’ own Andrew Sensenig stars as Dr. William Matthews with Arianne Margot as Dr. Lucy Mills and Frank Mosley as Dr. Lance White. Megan Emerick, who co-wrote the screenplay with Brownrigg, plays a supporting role as Nurse Jennifer. Jim O’Rear and Scott Tepperman are orderlies Billy and Bishop, respectively. Willie H. Minor, Jr. is Sam Withers, the mysterious returning patient.
Daniel Redd, David Rennke, Andrew Sensenig, and Brownrigg partnered to create Don’t Look in the Basement 2, LLC under which the film was produced. Brownrigg earned the Best Picture Award at the 2010 Bram Stoker Film Festival for his film Red Victotia.
We have an exclusive clip from the film that gives us a look at Roman, one of the characters in the mental institution.
Don’t Look in the Basement 2 will arrive on DVD and Blu-ray from LeglessCorpse Films on May 24, 2016. And will be available on VOD later this summer. A 2-disc special edition Blu-Ray includes a feature length on-set documentary shot by Jim O’Rear and the original 1973 film. You can pre-order now at LeglessCorpseFilms.com. Follow on Facebook and Twitter and visit their official website for updates and more.
