Clive Barker Says HELLRAISER: REVIVAL Game Has Sparked New Ideas for the Horror Film Franchise

Clive Barker isn't finished playing with the twisted world of Hellraiser. Nearly 40 years after introducing audiences to Pinhead and the Cenobites, the horror legend says the upcoming video game Hellraiser: Revival has inspired him to revisit the franchise with some fresh ideas.

Barker, who created the franchise with his 1986 novella The Hellbound Heart before writing and directing the original Hellraiser movie in 1987, recently spoke with Dread Central about how the new game from Saber Interactive has gotten his creative gears turning.

“I think what was achieved in the game is a wake-up call to anyone who’s been involved in the making of a franchise like Hellraiser.”

He continued, “It says to get your ideas warmed over so you can go back into existing worlds in a brand new way. I have many ideas that I’d like to see realized in the Hellraiser universe, and I’m planning to keep my fingers in that pie.”

That's pretty exciting to hear, especially coming from the guy who dreamed up this wonderfully disturbing universe in the first place.

The original Hellraiser introduced horror fans to Doug Bradley as Pinhead, along with the terrifying Cenobites and the mysterious Lament Configuration.

What started as Barker's twisted exploration of pain, pleasure, and obsession has grown into a horror franchise spanning 11 films, novels, comic books, and video games.

Barker also has more control over the property these days. He reclaimed the U.S. rights to Hellraiser in 2020 and later served as a producer on director David Bruckner's 2022 Hulu reboot, which introduced a new take on the Cenobites.

Now, with Hellraiser: Revival bringing that nightmare world into an interactive experience, Barker appears interested in exploring what else can be done with his creation.

Of course, having ideas doesn't mean another Hellraiser movie is officially moving forward, but knowing Barker wants to remain creatively involved is pretty cool.

The Hellraiser universe has plenty of room for more horrifying stories, and I'd love to see what Barker could come up with if he returned to the franchise with a new film.

Would you like to see Clive Barker take another crack at Hellraiser, or should the franchise continue exploring new directions with other filmmakers?