Why Jeffrey Dean Morgan Isn’t the Lead in “Bloody Axe Wound”
The producer of the highly anticipated horror film Bloody Axe Wound has shed light on the unexpected decision not to feature Jeffrey Dean Morgan as the film’s leading man. Set for release on December 27, 2024, through RLJE Films and Shudder, the movie is penned and directed by Matthew John Lawrence. The plot revolves around Abbie Bladecut (portrayed by Sari Arambulo), a young woman who transforms into a slasher killer in a bid to revitalize her family’s struggling video store. The film also stars Billy Burke as Roger Bladecut and Molly Brown as Sam Crane.
Producer Insights: A Personal Touch
During an exclusive interview with ScreenRant’s Grant Hermanns, producer Hilarie Burton—an actress famed for her role as Peyton Sawyer on One Tree Hill and wife to Morgan since 2019—discussed the circumstances leading to Morgan’s decision. She highlighted that Morgan, who also took on a producer role for the film, believed that taking on the male lead could present a potential conflict of interest given his other commitments, particularly his work on the Walking Dead spinoff, Dead City.
A New Direction: Finding the Right Fit
This realization prompted the production team to consider actors outside their established circle for the role of Roger Bladecut. The turning point came during Thanksgiving when Billy Burke was visiting. After watching Lawrence’s previous film, Uncle Peckerhead, Burke expressed immediate enthusiasm for the project, showing great interest in the Bladecut script. According to Burton:
I think Jeff worried about a conflict of interest, a little bit, in producing this, but also having it be a vehicle for himself. And he was also filming Dead City and a couple of other projects at the time, so we were looking externally for Bladecut. And Billy spent Thanksgiving here with his family, and we’re all just sitting around the couch, shooting the s–t, and we’re like, “Do you want to see this movie, Uncle Peckerhead? It’s weird. You’re gonna like it.”He watches the movie, and he’s like, “Send me that Bladecut script, send me that thing.”So, we sent it to him, and Billy was just like, “This is mine now. It’s mine.”And honestly, there’s no one on the planet who could have played it better than Billy. We would have asked him if it didn’t feel like such a huge favor to be like, “Well, will you move cross country and also come stay here for three weeks and be in makeup for six hours every day?”It’s a big ask of your friend, and Billy just crushed it. He’s so good.
Looking Ahead
This behind-the-scenes insight not only highlights the collaborative spirit of independent filmmaking but also showcases how the right actor can elevate a role and enhance the narrative. As we approach the film’s release, fans can look forward to a thrilling new entry in the horror genre.
Stay tuned for further updates and details about Bloody Axe Wound.
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