Hold onto your stockings, horror fans! A familiar face from the Halloween universe is about to put on the infamous red suit in the upcoming reboot of the controversial classic Silent Night, Deadly Night.
Cineverse acquired the global rights to reimagine the holiday slasher, which sparked outrage and debate in 1984. Directed by Charles E. Sellier Jr., the first Silent Night, Deadly Night movie introduced audiences to Billy Chapman (Robert Brian Wilson). As a young boy, Billy had a traumatic childhood. He was scared for life after witnessing his parents’ murder by a man dressed as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, which warped his psyche. His upbringing in an orphanage only added to his trauma. It led to a psychological breakdown on Christmas Day years later, with deadly consequences.
A New Billy
Now, the sleigh bells are ringing for a new Billy Chapman, and Rohan Campbell has snagged the role. Campbell chillingly portrayed the troubled Corey Cunningham in 2022’s Halloween Ends. And he recently appeared in Osgood Perkins’ darkly comedic horror flick, The Monkey. His growing list of genre credits also includes appearances in “Snowpiercer,” “iZombie,” and “Supernatural,” showcasing his versatility within the horror landscape.
A Contriversal Start
The original 1984 Silent Night, Deadly Night movie had a brief theatrical run due to organized protests from parents who found its holiday-themed violence offensive. Still, it has cemented its place in horror history as one of the most talked-about and controversial films of the 1980s.
Old and New Join the Team
Writer and director Mike P. Nelson, known for his previous genre work on Wrong Turn (2021) and the chilling anthology V/H/S/85, will be steering the reboot. Interestingly, Scott Schneid and Dennis Whitehead, who served as executive producers on the original, are returning alongside Jamie R. Thompson, who also produced the original film. Additional producers include Jamie R. Thompson, Erik Bernard, and Jeremy Torrie, with horror veterans Steven Schneider (Insidious) and Anthony Masi (Halloween: 25 Years of Terror) also on board as executive producers.
With six films already released under the Silent Night, Deadly Night banner, this reboot marks a fresh and potentially terrifying new chapter in the franchise’s legacy. Casting Rohan Campbell, already familiar with the complexities of disturbed characters within the genre, suggests that this new take on Billy Chapman could delve into the psychological depths of his trauma in a compelling and unsettling way.
Watch the Original While You Wait
While a specific release date for the reboot hasn’t been officially announced yet, it’s expected to arrive sometime during the holiday season of 2025, promising a potentially bloody Christmas. While you wait for more news, you can stream the original classic on Prime Video.
