Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash has produced a new take on the 1983 cult film Deathstalker, which will have its world premiere at the Locarno film festival in Switzerland. Slash, born Saul Hudson, has been a fan since his days working at Tower Video, where the original was a popular title.
The film is described as a "requel" rather than a remake, directed by Steve Kostanski, known for The Void and Psycho Goreman. Slash emphasises the use of practical effects, stating: "I'm not a big CGI guy." Daniel Bernhardt stars as the hero, a role Slash says he played perfectly.
Slash's enthusiasm stems from nostalgia for fantasy films such as Krull and Conan the Barbarian, as well as the original Deathstalker, which he calls "tongue-in-cheek, exaggerated and low budget" with a great theme song. He describes the project as a passion, adding that the script and director made it possible to create a great movie.
His early years in Britain exposed him to Hammer horror and James Bond, while his father introduced him to Roger Corman's Edgar Allan Poe films. These influences shaped his musical taste, with movie scores and theme songs playing a major role in his approach to producing.
Slash has previously produced Nothing Left to Fear (2013) and The Crow Girl, and contributed music to Nothing Left to Fear and The Breach. He considers the soundtrack an essential part of any film he works on, thinking about the vibe and potential theme song from the outset.
