Richard Stanley to Direct Horror Film ‘Steel Donkeys’
Cult filmmaker Richard Stanley is set to direct the horror film Steel Donkeys, a project that blends metal music, martial arts, and cosmic horror. The movie will be filmed at the Bloodstock Open Air festival and K.K.’s Steel Mill, promising a unique cinematic experience.
Apocalyptic Plot Unveiled
The plot of Steel Donkeys revolves around three small-time crooks attempting to steal a valuable artifact from a mysterious rock star. Their botched heist unleashes an ancient entity, leading to an apocalyptic scenario. The teenagers must then recruit a team of unlikely heroes to save the world.
The film is being produced by Andrew Prendergast and Phill Cates, from a script written by Stanley himself. Veteran martial artist Cynthia Rothrock is set to join the cast, with some members drawn from the rock and heavy metal scene.
“The stars have aligned to conjure this dream into manifestation, a perfect storm of metal, martial arts and cosmic horror, precision calibrated to burn its way into the brains of a whole new generation of metal fans,” said Stanley.
—Richard Stanley
The Bloodstock Open Air festival, a prominent heavy metal event, will serve as a backdrop for the film’s exterior scenes, attracting thousands of fans annually. As of 2023, the global heavy metal music market was valued at USD 711.2 million and is projected to reach USD 940.5 million by 2029 (MarketWatch).
Filming Locations and Creative Vision
Exterior shots will be filmed at the UK’s Bloodstock Open Air festival, while the remaining production takes place at K.K. Downing‘s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton. Stanley‘s previous work includes Color Out Of Space, released in 2019. He was also the original director of the 1996 film The Island Of Dr. Moreau, but exited early due to creative differences.
Adam Gregory, the founder of the Bloodstock Open Air festival, shared his excitement about the project, stating that it will introduce their event to an international audience.
The film promises to be a unique blend of genres, offering a fresh take on horror with a metal music twist. Fans eagerly await the release of Steel Donkeys, and anticipate its arrival as a highly charged psychedelic experience.
