Horror Highlights: POOL PARTY MASSACRE, ARMED RESPONSE, BETHANY Q&A, Jenna Coleman to Attend Wizard World Minneapolis

Take a look at the totally killer party in the first trailer for Drew Marvick's Pool Party Massacre. Also in today's Highlights: production details for WWE Studios' and Saban Films' Armed Response, a cool Q&A with Stefanie Estes from Bethany, and details on Jenna Coleman's upcoming attendance at Wizard World Minneapolis 2017.

Check Out the Trailer for Pool Party Massacre: Press Release: "Los Angeles, CA - Floating Eye Films has released the first trailer and stills for the old school splatterfest Pool Party Massacre. The debut feature from horror fanatic Drew Marvick, Pool Party Massacre is an ultra low-budget 80's-inspired slasher that cuts to the flesh and bone of a group of young friends. With a pounding synth score and a heavy metal soundtrack, Marvick has crafted a loving homage to the body count of 80s B-movies.

Blair Winthorpe, a high-maintenance young socialite, is having a pool party while her parents are out of town. What should have been a relaxing summer day spent tanning for the girls quickly becomes a blood-soaked nightmare when an unknown guest crashes the party. He finds a garage full of dangerous toys and gets to work stalking and dismembering them one by one.

Pool Party Massacre is expected to premiere in 2017."

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Production Details on WWE Studios and Saban Films' Armed Response: Press Release: "LOS ANGELES – April 6, 2017 – Saban Films has acquired North American distribution rights from WWE Studios, Gene Simmons and Erebus Pictures to Emmy Nominated John Stockwell’s (Blue Crush) Armed Response. The film stars Wesley Snipes (The Blade franchise, The Expendables 3), Anne Heche (Donnie Brasco, Psycho, “Hung”), WWE Superstar Seth Rollins®, Gene Simmons (KISS Co-Founder, Runaway, Wanted Dead Or Alive, Extract, Why Him) and Dave Annable (“Brothers & Sisters,” Little Black Book, What’s Your Number?).

The sci-fi thriller, written by Matt Savelloni, follows a team of highly trained operatives who find themselves trapped inside an isolated military compound after its AI is suddenly shut down. The crew begins to experience strange and horrific phenomena as they attempt to uncover what killed the previous team. The film is currently in post-production.

Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley said: “Armed Response is a unique story, with the look and feel of a sci-fi epic.   We’ve been fans of WWE for a long time, and it is great to be partners on this film.”

WWE Studios President Michael Luisi produced the film along with Gene Simmons under their Erebus Pictures banner.  Bill Bromiley, Ness Saban and Jonathan Saba negotiated the deal on behalf of Saban Films.  WWE handled North American rights, with Voltage Pictures handling international sales.

Most recently, Saban Films acquired North American distribution rights to Alexandros Avranas’ True Crimes starring Golden Globe Winner Jim Carrey and Charlotte Gainsbourg. At SXSW, Saban Films and DIRECTV acquired Eshom and Ian Nelms’Small Town Crime, starring John Hawkes, Anthony Anderson, Robert Forster, and Octavia Spencer.

Saban Films also acquired FilmNation’s sci-fi film Kill Switch starring Dan Stevens and Bérénice Marlohe and Roland Joffé’s The Forgiven starring Forest Whitaker and Eric Bana.  The 2017 Saban Films slate includes: John Michael McDonagh’s War on Everyone starring Michael Peña, Alexander Skarsgård, Theo James, and Tessa Thompson; Colm McCarthy’s critically acclaimed apocalyptic thriller The Girl with All the Gifts starring six-time Academy Award® Nominee Glenn Close, Gemma Arterton and Paddy Considine; Walter Hill’s The Assignment starring Michelle Rodriguez, Sigourney Weaver, Tony Shalhoub, Anthony LaPaglia; Jonathan Mostow’s The Hunter’s Prayer starring Sam Worthington and Odeya Rush; and Sean Penn’s The Last Face starring Charlize Theron and Javier Bardem.

Since the company’s launch in 2014, Saban Films has released 21 films including: The Homesman starring Tommy Lee Jones and Hilary Swank; Tracers starring Taylor Lautner; Philip Martin’s The Forger starring John Travolta; Man Up starring Simon Pegg and Lake Bell; Tom Tykwer’s A Hologram for the King starring Tom Hanks; sci-fi horror film Cell starring John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson; I Am Wrath with John Travolta; Renny Harlin’s action comedy Skiptrace, starring Jackie Chan and Johnny Knoxville; Rob Zombie’s 31; and Zack Whedon’s feature debut Come and Find Me starring Emmy Award Winner Aaron Paul and Annabelle Wallis."

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Bethany Q&A with Stefanie Estes: "Now out in theaters and VOD, Bethany stars talented newcomer Stefanie Estes as a woman haunted by an unseen force. Estes talks to us about the film, the latest horror masterpiece from James Cullen Bressack.

Is this your first lead, Stefanie?

Stefanie Estes: Yes! I’ve had more supporting lead characters in the past – like the love interest of the main character. This is the first time my character has been the protagonist.

Did you feel the pressure of having so much of the movie rest on your shoulders?

Stefanie Estes: Hahaha! Well, now I do! Honestly, it is a bit scary. It’s also exciting. And I am so grateful for the opportunity.

Can you talk about working with James? Two films down now, right?

Stefanie Estes: Working with James is awesome.  He’s really collaborative and a champion of his actors.  We shot ‘Bethany’ together first – and spent a lot of time working together on the character before we got in front of the camera.  ‘Bethany’ is a pretty intense story for Claire, the character that I play.  It was a challenging role, and working through it with James really solidified our working relationship.  We have a good understanding of how the other person works.  And I think we brought that dynamic to set when we shot our last film ‘If Looks Could Kill’.  We are super serious and focused when we need to be, and then the next minute we are making stupid jokes and cracking each other up.

Do you prefer one of the films over the other?

Stefanie Estes: They are so different it’s impossible to compare them! I mean, in terms of my mental state while shooting, I guess I prefer ‘If Looks Could Kill’ because I was playing a level-headed cop.  Whereas, in ‘Bethany’ I’m playing a woman who is trying desperately to maintain her sanity while being terrorized by an unseen force.  So, emotionally ‘If Looks Could Kill’ was a bit more of a relaxing and chill shoot for me.

How handy a marketing tool has the internet been in not only the promotion of this movie but yourself as an actor?

Stefanie Estes: I think it is an amazing tool! For an independent film like ‘Bethany,’ getting the word out is essential. And unlike a studio film, there isn’t a huge advertising budget behind it.  So having the internet as an avenue to generate buzz is a tremendous asset.  The same goes for me as an actor.  Creating an online presence has become almost essential to be considered relevant—so I’m trying to put myself out there!

You’re a real advocate for independent films. How important is it to remain involved in the indie scene?

Stefanie Estes: Independent film is where we get to experience fresh and previously unheard voices and stories, so I think remaining involved in the scene is extremely important.  It’s exciting and new and full of possibility.  And it’s where a lot of artists thrive. So, having your finger on that pulse is artistically invigorating and essential.

What kind of roles are you particularly interested in?

Stefanie Estes: Is it too cliché to say complex, compelling, and strong women? I love a good challenge and exploring the depths of human nature. So getting into the psychology of an intriguing female character is like heaven for me. I think things are in the process of changing, but for so long so many of the roles I read for were just “the pretty girl” who had no purpose other than to just be attractive and smile. As actors, we deserve better, and as an audience, we deserve better, too!

What do you think makes Bethany ‘scary’?

Stefanie Estes: ‘Bethany’ is great because it's equal parts haunted house story and psychological thriller. I love scary movies that involve the psyches of the protagonists where you wonder if the danger is real or if the character is creating it in her own mind.  It also explores a mother- daughter relationship and turns our obsession with beauty into a horrifying tragedy. And there are some pretty brutal and gory scenes that literally made my skin crawl!"

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Jenna Coleman to Attend Wizard World Minneapolis: Press Release: "MINNEAPOLIS, April 3, 2017 – Jenna Coleman, who played “Clara Oswald,” the occasional "travelling assistant" to the Eleventh Doctor in the BBC series “Doctor Who,” returns to the Wizard World Tour next month when she attends Wizard World Comic Con Minneapolis, May 6-7 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. She joins fellow “Doctor Who” star Peter Capaldi, where both will greet fans, pose for solo and dual photo ops, sign autographs and conduct an interactive fan Q&A during the pop culture extravaganza.

The England-born Coleman is also familiar to Marvel comics fans as Bucky’s girlfriend in the hit film Captain America: The First Avenger. Last year, she had the title role in British TV series “Victoria” and a supporting spot on the feature film Me Before You.

In addition to Capaldi, Coleman joins a celebrity roster at Wizard World Comic Con Minneapolis that includes Nichelle Nichols ("Star Trek,"), Lou Ferrigno ("The Incredible Hulk") and "The Monkees" duo of Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz. Additional celebrities will be announced closer to the start of the show.

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, television, gaming, live entertainment, comics, sci-fi, graphic novels, toys, original art, collectibles, contests and more. The fifth event scheduled on the 2017 Wizard World calendar and fourth visit to the Twin Cities, Minneapolis show hours are Friday, May 5, 3-9 p.m.; Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, May 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Wizard World Comic Con Minneapolis is also the place for cosplay, with fans of every genre showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character – and some never before dreamed – will roam the convention floor and participate in the famed Wizard World Costume Contest on Saturday night.

For more on the 2017 Wizard World Minneapolis, visit: http://wizd.me/MinneapolisPR."