| BEHIND THE SCENES OF PHANTASM II |
| It took Don Coscarelli nine years for a Phantasm sequel to emerge. Eventually he Phinally was able to get it done. He had a very famous and much bigger production company (Universal, who are associated with some of the most popular and acclaimed movies of all-time) and a much higher budget ($3 Million). Although it was the lowest-budgeted Philm Universal had produced and distributed during the 1980s, it was certainly a lot bigger than the budget of Phantasm and allowed Coscarelli to do more things and many eleborate parts. Just like with the original Phantasm, interior sets were constructed in a Warehouse in Chatsworth, California and exteriors were Philmed around various locations in Southern California. Mark Shostrom, who had done the special make-up effects for Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn in 1987 (the previous year), was hired to do the special make-up effects of Phantasm II by director Sam Raimi's suggestion. He also in turn hired Gregory Nicotero & Robert Kurtzman as his key assisstants. Nicotero & Kurtzman later made their own Creature Effects shop called K.N.B. Effects, which is one of the most successful effects shops in Hollywood and has worked on numerous movies. The effects were far more elaborate than those of the original Phantasm, packing explosions, flying bodies, ChainSaw Duels, hovering Spheres, Acid Embalming and Dwarves being blown away by one thundoerous blast from a Quadruple-Barreled Shotgun (also commonly known as the Dwarf Killer Shotgun). At the very beginning, when Reggie's House (or is that Mike's House?) explodes, a genuine House was of the California 105 freeway Construction. The House was rigged with a primer cord, mortars, and loads of gasoline. The result was an unbelivably huge explosion. The Sphere effects were split between Dream Quest Images (D. Kerry Prior, who was the Sphere Supervisor for Phantasm III: Lord Of The Dead and Visual Effects supervisor for Phantasm IV: Oblivion, did the Sphere that sawed off Father Meyers' ear) and Steve Patino. Many Sphere models were missing after production for Phantasm II was completed. It has been rumored (but not confirmed) that Patino passed away in 1995. A. Michael Baldwin, who portrayed Mike in the original Phantasm, could not return to play Mike for the sequel. This was because Baldwin hadn't done any recent movies after Phantasm and Universal didn't want him to play Mike. Not only that, but Coscarelli was given a choice: Either have back Baldwin or Reggie Bannister, but not both. He took Bannister and got James LeGros to play Mike. Universal did many harsh things with Phantasm II's production. Not allowing Coscarelli to bring back both Michael Baldwin & Reggie Bannister and only being able to choose one of the actors, and they didn't allow any actual dreams in the Phinal cut. Despite that, Coscarelli moved on and made Phantasm II. Phantasm II opened on July 8th, 1988 and was pretty successful, grossing in $7.282 Million at the Box Office and getting many good reviews and ratings. Phantasm II has become quite a popular movie and many Phans think Phantasm II is the best of the current Phantasm movies, despite being a bit different from the other three Phantasm Philms (having a different actor playing Mike, Jody not featured, and only Scrimm & Bannister reprising their roles). |
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| PHANTASM II |
| Cast: James LeGros: Mike Reggie Bannister: Reggie Paula Irvine: Liz Kenneth Tigar: Father Meyers Samantha Phillips: Alchemy Angus Scrimm: The Tall Man Crew: Writer/Director: Don Coscarelli Production Designer: Phillip J.C. Duffin Director Of Photography: Daryn Okada Music: Fred Myrow & Christopher L. Stone Producer: Roberto A. Quezada Executive Producer: Dac Coscarelli Special Make-Up Effects: Mark Shostrom Technical Information: Running Time: 1 Hour, 37 Minutes MPAA Rating: R Phirst Theatrical Release Date: July 8th, 1988 Budget: $3 Million Box Office Gross: $7.282 Million |
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