The Jeepers Creepers franchise is being rebooted with the upcoming Jeepers Creepers: Reborn. The film is technically the fourth installment in the horror-mystery film series, Jeepers Creepers, however, it marks the start of a new trilogy that is set apart from the original films. Jeepers Creepers first premiered in 2001 and follows siblings Trish Jenner (Gina Phillips) and Darry Jenner (Justin Long). The two are heading home from spring break when they witness a truck driver dumping bodies into a pipe. The truck driver turns out to be an ancient demonic creature called The Creeper (Jonathan Breck) and the siblings’ witnessing of his crimes puts them on his radar.
Jeepers Creepers proved to be a box office success, though it received mixed reviews. Victor Salva, who directed Jeepers Creepers, went on to write and direct two sequels. Jeepers Creepers 2 was also a box office success but received considerably worst critical reception than the original. Jeepers Creepers 3 premiered in 2017, had a limited two-day theatrical run, and was an even worse critical failure. This particular series of horror films has always been controversial, considering Salva, who was previously incarcerated for sexual abuse and possession of child pornography, was at the head of the series.
While the Jeepers Creepers franchise may just be better off left alone, the reboot will, at least, completely remove itself from Salva. Timo Vuorensola will be directing the film, with Sean Michael Argo serving as writer. Additionally, the role of The Creeper has also been recast, after Breck portrayed him for all three original films. Despite its controversial and mediocre past, the franchise seems confident in its ability to restart under Vuorensola’s guidance. Here is everything we know about Jeepers Creepers: Reborn so far.
Jeepers Creepers: Reborn‘s uncertain release date
Jeepers Creepers: Reborn‘s official trailer promises a release date of September 19, 2022. The film will receive a limited theatrical release. Its release will be a 3-day fan event, available in theaters only from September 19 – September 21. Initially, Jeepers Creepers: Reborn was expected to premiere in 2021. However, 2021 came and went in silence, until a teaser announced a delayed 2022 release date.
Now, even the 2022 release date is still very uncertain. This is because it has surfaced that the film is in the midst of a lawsuit right now. Myriad Pictures, who co-produced Jeepers Creepers 2 and Jeepers Creepers 3, is suing Infinity Films, Jeepers Creepers: Reborn‘s production company, for property fraud. Myriad Pictures alleges that Infinity Films produced the reboot without their knowledge, despite the two companies working together on plans for the film in 2018 and 2019. This isn’t too surprising, considering the initial extreme secrecy around Jeepers Creepers: Reborn. The film was allegedly filmed in secret in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and, now, it seems fans weren’t the only ones taken by surprise at its sudden announcement in February of 2021.
To make matters worse, Infinity Films also allegedly handed over the Jeepers Creepers distribution rights to Screen Media, without Myriad Pictures’ agreement. So far, the film hasn’t been officially delayed. The official trailer released on July 21st even still touts the release date as September, 2022. However, it seems odd that the film would carry through with its release without the lawsuit being settled first. Meanwhile, the jury trial for the lawsuit isn’t set until January 2024.
Jeepers Creepers: Reborn trailer
Screen Media Films dropped the official trailer for Jeepers Creepers: Reborn on July 21, 2022. The trailer briefly summarizes the legend of The Creeper. It explains that, in a Louisiana town, legend holds that the demonic creature, The Creeper, awakens once every 23 years and brings chaos and death as it rises to feed on its victims. Jeepers Creepers: Reborn’s trailer also shows the two main characters, Laine (Sydney Craven) and Chase (Imran Adams). The two appear to be a couple and are on a road trip to the Horror Hound Festival.
Laine is Chase’s reluctant plus one to the festival and complains about being dragged along. However, her attitude changes from annoyance to fear, as she starts having thoughts about The Creeper and becomes fearful of what the festival might be awakening. Her fears are proven to be true, as we later see Laine and Chase among a group of people trapped in a seemingly abandoned house, with The Creeper pursuing them. Check out the trailer below:
Jeepers Creepers: Reborn cast
As discussed above, Jeepers Creepers: Reborn is getting a whole new cast and does not appear to be featuring any of the original trilogy actors. English actor Jarreau Benjamin will be the first actor since Breck to portray The Creeper, as he takes on the notorious role in Jeepers Creepers: Reborn. Craven and Adams will be starring as girlfriend and boyfriend, Laine and Chase.
Not very many specifics are known about the rest of the characters. However, Dark Shadows‘ star, Gabriel Freilich, is set to portray a character named Sam. Wonder Woman 1984 actor, Peter Brooke, is portraying Stu, while Uncharted actor, Matt Barkley, is set to portray Jamie. Georgia Goodman, who also starred in Uncharted, has joined the cast as Lady Millan. Meanwhile, actor and producer Terry Bird, will be portraying a policeman called Officer Edwards.
Also joining Jeepers Creepers: Reborn‘s cast are E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial star, Dee Wallace, former Miss Australia, Jodie McMullen, and Alien Nation star, Gary Graham. Furthermore, we have Ocean Navarro in an undisclosed role, and Alexander Halsall, Sophie Walker, and Lex Lampray, also starring in undisclosed roles, to round out the cast.
Jeepers Creepers: Reborn plot
Jeepers Creepers: Reborn follows Chase and Laine, as they take a road trip down to the Horror Hound festival held in Louisiana. It is the first time that the festival has been held and cosplay-enthusiast, Chase, takes a reluctant Laine along to accompany him. However, along the way, Laine begins having disturbing visions and premonitions of a local urban legend, The Creeper. Legend holds that The Creeper awakens once every 23 years to feed. As Laine witnesses the Horror festival and competition for the best Creeper costume, she begins to sense something darker is taking place.
When she and Chase join a group that has won a free round in an escape room, they find themselves in what appears to be The Creeper’s lair. As The Creeper viciously hunts the group down and they come to a terrifying realization that there may be no way out. The only chance they have at living is surviving until The Creeper’s feeding frenzy commences, however, there’s no telling how long that might be.
(featured image: Screen Media Films)
