HHN 2011: Hostel: Hunting Season

[Freak]

Mr. Roth has just now confirmed that there will be a Hostel maze at this year's HHN. Anything Hostel-related can now go here.

from Mr. Roth's Twitter: I'm doing a #Hostel maze @HorrorNights! Elite Hunting is open for business this September!!!! http://t.co/ZFfjdLf #amazeballs

*The name has now been updated to the official name. "Eli Roth's Hostel: Hunting Season!" Just as we predicted, the title used Eli Roth's name.

[Mr. Cleaver]

I'm a bit curious about how they'll do this. While I'm expecting Saw-like scenes oof watching countless others getting killed/tortured, I really hope it's more than that. I still think the only way to make it any kind of original or scary would be to have the 'hunters' going after guests. Just watching others die won't cut it for me. I want to be the target, the one every body's after. That and chainsaws. Even though I fully expect those 'hunter' guys with the masks to be running around somewhere with chainsaws, following in HHNH's classic tradition of having pigs with chainsaws in the lower lot.

[Freak]

^Honestly, if that's the lower lot scarezone, I'm going to be a tad disappointed since there will most-likely be minimal theming. I do like the idea of having the characters from the lower lot maze serve as a "guard" to the entrance of the maze, as tradition for HHNH, like you said. Hopefully the scarezone will be good if they do go that route.

I think the setting will work in favor of the maze. The torturers themselves actually go after the victims in the movies so I'm sure they'll apply the same formula here.

[Mr. Cleaver]

And I'm still worried that it'll be too much like Saw. Same location, same general concept [read: torture], some of the same props... it just doesn't have my vote right now. Not sure why, but I want to like it. Again, probably because I love Eddy, which links back to Run, and links again to Run: Hostile Territory. I think I'd feel better about it if the title didn't have Eli's name in it.

EDIT:

Actually, looking at the official site, it's just "Hostel: Hunting Season." I guess this means that Eli's name isn't part of the title, so I feel a bit better about it now.

Edited July 27, 2011 by Mr. Cleaver

[Grindhousehero13]

Wow everybody we're 2 for 2 this our year we guessed Thing and Hostel we arew awsome!

But Im excited to see some Elite Hunters in action!

and The Bear Jew just made us a promise via twitter

"I am so excited about the @HorrorNights #Hostel maze. They went all out, it's going to be so sick. I mean, really f'in sick. Not for kids."

[Freak]

I decided to change it to "Hostel: Hunting Season" since that's the official name of the maze, according to the site.

Anyway, this maze sounds like it'll be really cool and gory.

[DTH316]

I have the same concerns as Cleaver. Just watching people being tortured for yet another year is going to be a real downer. Ya know, Saw had a tactic about it. It was either there's a person in a trap and then a minion comes out for the scare. Or a person in a trap and then someone else just in the scene watching them in the trap comes out for the scare. The thing about Hostel is ... the torturer is there, torturing so they'll already be standing there. Who's gonna come out for the scare? Are they just gonna turn around, wave their weapon at ya and go back to business? Will there all of a sudden be an increase in hunters for no reason popping into the room to scare you? Will it just be a victim who got a way bouncing into the room, screaming and then being dragged back down the hallway? If it's any of these, I'm saying right now it's gonna be pretty lame. But since Murdy has a way of making these things work, I'm excited to see what he does because I'm pretty sure he's thought of those too and thought they would be lame as well. So we'll see how he provides the scares.

And yeah Grind, 2 for 2. Soon to be 3 for 3 if HOTC is announced. We're fuckin awesome.

[DireBrian]

Does Anyone know how cookies tie into this film? At all?

[DTH316]

It's that time once again...

The First to Speculate: Hostel Edition

DTH316 (*coughs* me)! On November 1st, 2010

From the HHN Hollywood X Wishful Thinking thread:

"Eli Roth is all talk. I'll believe he's actually making a movie the day it finishes post-production. Him making Funhouse 3D is just as good as the chances of him making Thanksgiving or that Grindhouse Trailers movie he's been talking about for forever. I would definitely not expect that for 11 also considering that the movie won't be out in time for consideration unless Murdy gets a script of it. But even then, it has to have a guaranteed theatrical release before October. And even THEN THEN, it has to be popular with audiences. I'd expect Hostel or Cabin Fever possibly though."

This conversation began because Freak had this to say:

"4) Eli Roth having a maze for next year's event: During the Eyegore awards, Mr. Roth has expressed in his speech how much he would love to work with HHN for next year's event. Murdy has told him via Twitter that he would love for him to work with him and that he was interested in his upcoming movie (Funhouse 3D). With the success of House of 1,000 Corpses 3D this year, this could very well be the big 3D maze next year assuming it actually comes out next year (I didn't see any cast listed on IMDB so that worries me a bit). "

So Freak had Eli Roth's involvement spot on but I suppose it was me who first through out that Hostel would be in the mix. (told you so about Funhouse... lol)

Other early on Hostel spec:

Creeper06: I think you might be right about a Hostel house. It has name recognition and I could see them easily repurposing some Saw props and sets for it.

Freak: Hostel....ruh! As long as it doesn't feel too much like Saw...I don't mind. It would be better than TCM or Saw all over again.

DTH316: As a matter of fact, Hostel 3 comes out next year and is no longer DTV. It's set in Vegas and not made by Eli Roth but with the franchise being put back out into people's minds, this would be the best opportunity to do it.

Went even further back to 2010 speculation and I guess I was the first one to put it in there as well. It WAS for 2010's spec though, purely. Here it is, in case you're curious:

August 23rd, 2010: Hey, nobody mentioned this but Eli Roth is getting an award at Eyegore this year... any chance the lower lot maze is Hostel? The torture building could very well be that brick facade... or the hostel itself, i don't know, haha

I ALSO FIND IT IMPORTANT TO MENTION!!!!:

Hobbz was first to connect Hostel to 3DN. Literally 15 minutes after Murdy announced 3DN meant 3 Dog Night, Hobbz pointed out there is a song called "Eli's Coming."

There's more in the 2011 Speculation thread but it's pretty much a reiteration of everything from Wishful Thinking. Not much else to see here folks, we guessed this one the DAY after Halloween. Well done!

2010 - 2011 Speculation Winner: DTH316

Director's Involvement Winner: Freakazoid

Code Name Winner: Hobbz

Edited July 27, 2011 by DTH316

[Mr. Cleaver]

Well, I just re-watched Hostel. I could be convinced. I still suspect that it'll be almost in its entirety in a warehouse-type building, but you could go as far as adding the torture museum from part one. I also think that there's a high probability of having at least one hallway that has rooms with torturers and torturees in them. You could probably have a few of those lurches in black jackets that 'collect' the victims. But I'm still not expecting anything more than torture porn with little or no decernable story what so ever. But I think I want to be wrong on that.

[DTH316]

They're also including part 2 in the mix. So most likely you're right on it being in a warehouse with just a bunch of scenes of torture. I'd like to see the Museum as well but um... doubt it haha

[Mr. Cleaver]

I'd love to see the museum, but since it was such a small part of the film I see no reason for it to be there, except even more torture. If they would add that, they might as well include a bunch of scenes fromt he hostel itself (spa, sex scenes, etc.). But I wonder if those roaming groups of evil children will be there too...

[DTH316]

Well they were baking cookies IN the actual Hostel, so I suppose it's possible and the smell is the only place I imagine it will fit. I'd love the kids as well but ... stupid child labor laws... haha

[Mr. Cleaver]

Short people. Easiest replacement for children. And best way around labor laws!

[Dr. Satan]

Well, I just re-watched Hostel. I could be convinced. I still suspect that it'll be almost in its entirety in a warehouse-type building, but you could go as far as adding the torture museum from part one. I also think that there's a high probability of having at least one hallway that has rooms with torturers and torturees in them. You could probably have a few of those lurches in black jackets that 'collect' the victims. But I'm still not expecting anything more than torture porn with little or no decernable story what so ever. But I think I want to be wrong on that.

Maybe you'll enter through the Museum and end up in the torture place as the maze progresses.

Don't forget, in the Museum scene, there's a live scareactor that scared the two guys who were chasing Oli. Easy to put in the maze, no doubt.

[DTH316]

But the museum isn't a recognizable facade. As far as I remember, wasn't that elaborate of a facade either.

My guess is the facade will be the actual Hostel itself and maybe they'll tweak it so that the actual torturing will be in there in like a basement or something.

I've noticed there hasn't been much of a reaction towards this maze announcement - - at all.

I don't think I've seen such a lack of enthusiasm from the fans lol

Even Vampyre had more people talking moments after it was announced.

I really think Murdy might've dropped a dud with this one. Hopefully it doesn't hurt the event.

[Mr. Cleaver]

When it was announced as "Eli Roth's Hostel: Hunting Season" on FB, I immediately felt a comparison to the Undertaker maze all them years ago. Again, because of the name being in the title, which as it turns out really isn't part of the title. I'm still worried that this may really be more of a pet porject than anything, where Murdy spent a month trying to convince his bosses that it'd be a good idea. Maybe it's just that Hostel just isn't a bg enough name for that many to care. If we're lucky maybe every one will have no real expectations for it, so that if/when it turns out to be awesome that it blows everyone's mind.

[jymmymack]

I think the lack of enthusiasm is two-fold: first, it's a torture maze. Second, Hostel itself was a very polarizing film. It was pretty love/hate. Look at the sequel, it did half the business that the first one did. I, for one, really really like Hostel. I think under the layers and layers of sex and violence, it really does serve as a pretty interesting social commentary. The second one... not so much. So, you're getting a movie that was very divisive and not very scary.

[Hobbz]

I ALSO FIND IT IMPORTANT TO MENTION!!!!:

Hobbz was first to connect Hostel to 3DN. Literally 15 minutes after Murdy announced 3DN meant 3 Dog Night, Hobbz pointed out there is a song called "Eli's Coming."

There's more in the 2011 Speculation thread but it's pretty much a reiteration of everything from Wishful Thinking. Not much else to see here folks, we guessed this one the DAY after Halloween. Well done!

2010 - 2011 Speculation Winner: DTH316

Director's Involvement Winner: Freakazoid

Code Name Winner: Hobbz

Ahhh thanks, I feel special..........

[DTH316]

I think the lack of enthusiasm is two-fold: first, it's a torture maze. Second, Hostel itself was a very polarizing film. It was pretty love/hate. Look at the sequel, it did half the business that the first one did. I, for one, really really like Hostel. I think under the layers and layers of sex and violence, it really does serve as a pretty interesting social commentary. The second one... not so much. So, you're getting a movie that was very divisive and not very scary.

So as a fan, would you say you're excited for this announcement?

[Mr. Cleaver]

Can't say I'm a huge fan, but, y'know, through all this it's kinda growing on me. I still think I'm more excited about the Thing than this one, but I can see it being somewhat good anyways. Besides, it's neither Saw nor NOES. That's a winning formula for HHNH I think. Besides, it's a new maze so I can't complain that much.

[jymmymack]

So as a fan, would you say you're excited for this announcement?

Obviously you didn't see the tongue-lashing I got on the main thread for "prejudging" the Hostel maze! HAHAHA. I really am not excited at all. I liked Hostel because it makes us really reflect on how we consume alcohol, drugs, and meaningless sex and then are surprised when people start consuming torture and murder. It really sort of asks us that if we are paying for debauchery, are we not one step away from paying for everything else? In a maze, you won't have that. You'll have torture porn, straight up. I didn't find Hostel "fun", so why would I want to see a live representation of it?

[DTH316]

Haha, I forgot about that.

Anyway, I was wondering why there was no official PR for it. But I found an exclusive bloody-disgusting has. So here it is that'll tell us a bit more about what to experience:

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/25571

Some pulled quotes for those that are lazy:

"The maze will re-imagine the film's dehumanizing torture chambers and send guests on a spiraling journey through the corrupt halls of Elite Hunting's torture factory. Elite Hunting, a secret society that tortures and kills American youth for sport in exchange for large sums of money, will prowl the factory and prey on its many maze visitors."

(So as expected, it's what we thought it would be and it's essentially Saw all over again just going through an industrial area watching people get tortured. However, it does say "prey on the maze visitors" but that COULD just be an expression but if WE are the target, then it ups the ante a bit.)

"I am so happy to join forces with the creative team at Universal. Our collaborative vision to bring 'Hostel' to life will give both fans of my movie and horror fans a scare they could never have imagined. People will have a chance to experience some exact moments from their favorite 'Hostel' scenes, along with some new surprises."

(New surprises? Hm, some needed originality to make this maze work? I hope so. That got me a bit more excited.)

"Eli Roth is the first star to be announced as a collaborator in this year's Halloween Horror Nights event and will be a key member of a Hollywood horror "dream team" assembled by Universal Studios Hollywood to create the ultimate "live" Halloween nightmare."

(Whoa... wait a minute... a "dream team?!" So there's more celebrity crossovers? Could this be why it wasn't officially named "Eli Roth's Hostel" because ALL the mazes will have someone attached to it? Oh my God... exciting... big news if that's the case)

Edited July 27, 2011 by DTH316

[Freak]

I think the lack of enthusiasm is two-fold: first, it's a torture maze. Second, Hostel itself was a very polarizing film. It was pretty love/hate. Look at the sequel, it did half the business that the first one did. I, for one, really really like Hostel. I think under the layers and layers of sex and violence, it really does serve as a pretty interesting social commentary. The second one... not so much. So, you're getting a movie that was very divisive and not very scary.

I think the main reason for the lack of enthusiasm is for the fact that most of us saw this maze coming for miles. Heck, we predicted it before 2011 speculation started when Roth said during the Eyegores that he wanted to do a maze for HHN; it especially got more obvious when they announced that Eli Roth would be the main judge of the short film contest. Hopefully the next announcement will be a bigger surprise.

I'm not surprised they would have some more originally-designed scenes. I figured that's what they would do after F13 last year. It's not like some people who are big fans of the movie are going to say, "Foul! That wasn't in the movie!". I'm actually glad that he's doing that so that it's not just some scene-by-scene walk-thru of the movie and for the fact that the maze will feel more "unexpected". What I want to know is why they didn't do this for Saw. "All-new never before seen traps!"

[DTH316]

... I'd be excited for Scream even if I saw it for miles. ... or Evil Dead... or Poltergeist... or ofcourse TRICK R TREAT. Just sayin'. The property just isn't something to be excited about. I literally had no reaction hearing the news. At least for The Thing, I was like "yesssss" on the inside and we've BEEN KNOWING that was coming.