Mike Elizalde, whose credits include “X-Men: The Last Stand”, both of the “Fantastic Four” films, both of the “Hellboy” films and most recently “The Land of the Lost” film, has been in the special effects business for over 20 years. Mr. Elizalde was nominated for a “Best Makeup” Oscar for his work on Hellboy II (2008). He is the owner of Spectral Motion an all purpose special effects shop offering Creatures, Props, Special Makeup Effects. His shop specializes in the design and creation of astonishing cinematic creature effects, special makeup effects, animatronics and action props. Mr. Elizalde shares his journey into the world of filmmaking and special effects with GoreMaster.
Tacked to the end of an unrelated story in the trades is first word that David Gordon Green’s remake of Suspiria will begin shooting next year. This consciousness-altering bit of movie news was discovered by The Playlist. Green, who has managed to maintain his indie cred (Snow Angels) and establish box office pull and mainstream cachet (Pineapple Express), is currently in Ireland helming the Danny McBride stoner fantasia Your Highness for Universal. Last summer, we covered a rumor that Natalie Portman was cast as the lead in his Suspiria flick; as with today there was never a solid follow-up. However, Portman was later cast as the warrior princess/McBride’s unlikely love interest in Your Highness and previously expressed interest in the role.
In the time since that casting rumor, Portman also landed the lead in Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan, a thriller that shares surface-similarity with Dario Argento’s original Suspiria by way of the world of ballet/dance. Released in 1977, Argento’s film is a staple for cinephiles due to its almost garishly indulgent color palette, a legendary instrumental rock score by Goblin, and grotesque but artsy murder scenes. When it comes to the remake mill, there are few exceptions worth justifying, but Green is outspoken enough about the state of cinema and has sounded enthusiastic about his new take.
Green also has a few very cool non-remake projects on his plate: an adaptation of Steve Niles’s Southern horror comic book, Freaks of the Heartland, which we discussed with him last year on the set of Eastbound & Down; and possibly a semi-mysterious take on ’80s Amblin blockbusters called Mr. Machine, which would star McBride as a “robot [built by science fair nerds] that get a life of its own.
With a budget of 100 million dollars , Land of the Lost retells the story of a classic ‘70’s TV show. For those unfamiliar, here’s the storyline:
On his latest expedition, Dr. Rick Marshall (Will Ferrell) is sucked into a space-time vortex alongside his research assistant (Anna Friel) and a redneck survivalist (Danny McBride). In this alternate universe, the trio makes friends with a primate named Chaka (Jorma Taccone), their only ally in a world full of dinosaurs and other fantastic creatures. Can they all make it back to our world alive, and if so: Will Dr. Marshall can go from zero to hero with his discoveries?
Look for dinosaurs and the return of the Sleestaks in this adventure/sci-fi/comedy.
IMDB list these talented folks in the Makeup and Special Effects Departments:
Steve Artmont ( Contact ,Constantine , Step Brothers ) is the makeup department head
Roland Blancaflor (Total Recall ,300, Hook) is the prosthetic department supervisor/speciality costumes
Mike Elizalde (Men in Black, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, X-Men: The Last Stand) is the creature and makeup effects designer
Bart Mixon (Iron Man, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest , X-Men: The Last Stand) is the special makeup effects artist
Brian Walsh (Fantastic Four, Hellboy, Lady in the Water) is the makeup production supervisor: Spectral Motion, Inc
Michael Lantieri (Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest) is the special effects supervisor
Russell Lukich ( Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Jurassic Park III ) is the on set supervisor: Key Sculptor, Puppeteer: Spectral Motion
Brent Baker (Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Spider-Man, Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer) is the mold department and life-casting supervisor: Spectral Motion.
