Hilarie Burton is set to enhance her production portfolio with the upcoming horror comedy Bloody Axe Wound. Initially gaining fame as a host on MTV’s Total Request Live, Burton made her mark in entertainment as Peyton Sawyer in the popular teen drama One Tree Hill, where she starred for the first six seasons. Her versatile acting career has since featured notable roles in films and series such as The Secret Life of Bees, USA Network’s White Collar, and recurring appearances in Grey’s Anatomy and Lethal Weapon.
Partnering with her spouse, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, known for his role on The Walking Dead, Burton is co-producing Bloody Axe Wound. The film is set in the fictional town of Clover Falls, where serial killers are not only commonplace but also celebrated figures marketing edited versions of their gruesome deeds akin to horror flicks. The narrative revolves around Abbie Bladecut, the daughter of renowned killer Roger Bladecut, who aspires to follow in her father’s lethal footsteps, only to face resistance from him and other industry veterans.
The ensemble cast of Bloody Axe Wound features Sari Arambulo as Abbie, alongside Billy Burke as her father, and Molly Brown from Dexter: Original Sin. Rounding out the cast are Eddie Leavy, Sage Spielman, Margot Anderson-Song, Matt Hopkins, David Littleton, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan in a cameo as another slasher, Butch Slater. With its clever self-referential spin on the slasher genre blended with strong character development, this film promises an entertaining fusion of horror, humor, and a coming-of-age narrative.
In light of the film’s release, ScreenRant engaged Hilarie Burton in an interview to delve into her motivations for producing Bloody Axe Wound, her collaboration with Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and insights into the casting process, as well as updates regarding a potential sequel to One Tree Hill.
Burke & Morgan: An Instant Connection with Lawrence
“It was the weirdest slasher film ever…”
ScreenRant: Hilarie, it’s a pleasure to speak with you! I’m a long-time fan of your work and found Bloody Axe Wound to be a hilarious and quirky take on the horror genre. How did you initially discover this script, and what intrigued both you and Jeffrey Dean Morgan to produce it?
Hilarie Burton: During the pandemic, we consumed everything available and stumbled upon Uncle Peckerhead. It was such an unconventional slasher film and really resonated with us. It featured this unique sense of humor and impressive practical effects. After reaching out to the filmmaker, Matthew John Lawrence, we asked if he had any other projects, and he sent over several scripts, one of which immediately captivated us. Given my history in teen dramas and Jeffrey’s extensive experience in horror, we both felt the timing was right to merge our backgrounds in this film. We presented it to Shudder, part of our parent company AMC, and they were on board, excited about its quirky nature.
Hilarie Burton: Collaborating with Matthew was great, especially considering the complexities of a male writer depicting a teenage girl’s perspective. We had insightful discussions about character reactions and the dynamics of father-daughter relationships. This helped ensure the script remained dark and humorous while resonating with a coming-of-age narrative that reflects real teenage experiences, including the intrinsic violence they can encounter from both external sources and within themselves.
This creative approach not only freshens the genre but fosters some touching moments that resonate deeply.
Hilarie Burton: The chemistry between Sari and Molly is absolutely magical.
Morgan’s Cameo Originated from Significant Reasons
“There’s no one on the planet who could have played it better than Billy.”
In terms of the casting process, did you play a role in selecting the cast, or was that left to Matthew and the casting director?
Hilarie Burton: I was actively involved via Zoom sessions from my garage! Balancing parenting and auditions was quite the challenge, but it was rewarding. We knew early on that casting Molly was important to Matthew, who was a fan of A.P. Bio and wanted to include Sari and Eddie as well. We ensured that we also auditioned a variety of talented actors, building a cast that realistically represented the unique group dynamics of high school.
Bil Ley Burke, who has been friends with Jeffrey since they were teenagers, portrayed Roger perfectly. His experience as a father added authenticity to the role, and it made perfect sense to cast Jeffrey as the intimidating Butch Slater given his background.
Speaking of casting, was there any consideration of Jeffrey taking on the role of Billy’s character instead of Butch?
Hilarie Burton: While Jeff briefly considered playing a leading role, he ultimately felt it might complicate the production dynamics. Balancing multiple projects, including Dead City, meant searching externally for a character like Bladecut. After spending Thanksgiving with Billy, we encouraged him to watch Uncle Peckerhead, which piqued his interest in the script. Ultimately, he claimed the role for himself, and I truly believe there is no one more suited for it than Billy. Asking a close friend for a significant favor is challenging, yet Billy excelled in the role.
Morgan’s Walking Dead Experience Enhanced Practical Effects
“We knew, as producers, going into it that we had the best of the best working with us…”
Regarding the visual effects, particularly the practical makeup, how do producers ensure filmmakers have the necessary resources to explore creative designs?
Hilarie Burton: Our makeup team hails from Dead City, a part of The Walking Dead legacy which reassured us of their expertise. As producers, we prioritized funding the makeup department before addressing other budgetary concerns to guarantee the best talent was working with Matthew. Their belief in the script and commitment to the project was exceptional.
What was your initial reaction upon seeing Billy fully transformed into his character?
Hilarie Burton: It was astonishing! Hearing a familiar voice from someone I know so well come from such a transformed face was an unexpected delight. Billy and Jeffrey exhibit similar characteristics, both being tall, deep-voiced ‘girl dads’, which makes Billy’s transition into an intimidating character effortless. His portrayal lends a layer of complexity, provoking thoughts about the backstories behind iconic horror villains and showcasing their human sides.
The One Tree Hill Sequel is in Excellent Hands with Becky Hartman Edwards
“We’re in the very, very, very early stages.”
As our conversation comes to a close, I must ask about the upcoming One Tree Hill project. While I know you want to avoid spoilers, how will the new show build on the original series? Additionally, how might Chad’s absence influence the storyline?
Hilarie Burton: Sophia and I are not directly involved in shaping these elements. Fortunately, we have an experienced showrunner, Becky Hartman Edwards, who has an incredible ability to engage with writers, cast, and crew. Our role is more focused on the logistics of going back to Wilmington and blending nostalgia with fresh content suitable for new audiences. We’re in the early planning stages, and while nothing has been finalized, I have confidence in the project and cherish the cast and crew involved. Fingers crossed, if greenlit, this revival could be fantastic.
Burton Is Eager to Support Lawrence’s Vision for Bloody Axe Wound Sequels
“I’m putting on my old cheerleading uniform…”
It appears that this narrative universe has barely been tapped. Sari and Molly mentioned that Matthew has extensive ideas for worldbuilding. Are you considering future productions?
Hilarie Burton: Throughout my career, I’ve always advocated for audience engagement. If fans desire more, they must vocalize their support! So, I’m donning my cheerleading uniform to rally excitement, motivating viewers to express their enthusiasm to Shudder for future installments.
About Bloody Axe Wound
Abbie Bladecut finds herself at a crossroads, balancing the ghastly legacy of her family’s bloody enterprise with the complexities of her budding romance. In Clover Falls, Abbie’s father, Roger, has forged a notorious reputation by recording real-life murders and selling them to thrill-seekers. However, as she immerses herself in the brutal family tradition, Abbie begins to contemplate steering their legacy into uncharted territory.
Catch Bloody Axe Wound in select theaters now, with streaming availability on Shudder starting in March!
Source: ScreenRant Plus
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