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There is no Toxic Avenger without Lloyd Kaufman — and that includes writer-director Macon Blair‘s new take on the cult classic.

In addition to serving as a producer on the superhero horror-comedy reboot, the Toxic Avenger creator makes a cameo in the film as The Hospital Grump.

“Macon gave Uncle Lloyd a wonderful cameo — much better than James Gunn does,” Kaufman jokes with Bloody Disgusting.

“My father used to say, ‘If you rub the back of a hunchback, you have good luck,'” he adds. “With James Gunn and some of the other people who’ve come out of Troma, I’m that hunchback. I haven’t told Macon about that, but he has to rub my hunchback.”

After Lloyd Kaufman gave him his start in the industry, James Gunn has repaid the Troma president with cameos in all of his films, from Slither and Guardians of the Galaxy to a blink-and-you-miss-it appearance in Superman.

Fans have been waiting a long time to see writer/director Macon Blair’s remake of the Troma cult classic The Toxic Avenger (watch it Here), which wrapped filming way back in 2021 and unveiled a teaser trailer near the end of 2023, around the time it had its world premiere screening – but we won’t have to wait much longer. At the start of the year, it was announced that Cineverse had acquired the distribution rights with the intention of giving the film a wide release, and they’re aiming for an August 29th theatrical release… and if you’re interested in learning some behind-the-scenes information about the new Toxie movie, you might want to pick up a copy of Dan Jolin’s book The Toxic Avenger: The Art and Making of the Movie, which is set to reach store shelves on November 11th. Copies are available for pre-order at This Link.

Back in the day, if you wanted to know what your local cinema was showing and when, you’d make a call to Moviefone, a listing and information service. It was founded in 1989 and the call-in service shut down in 2014… but now, it has been resurrected by the Toxic Avenger! Fans have been waiting a long time to see writer/director Macon Blair’s remake of the Troma cult classic The Toxic Avenger (watch it Here), which wrapped filming way back in 2021 and unveiled a teaser trailer near the end of 2023, around the time it had its world premiere screening – but we won’t have to wait much longer. At the start of the year, it was announced that Cineverse had acquired the distribution rights with the intention of giving the film a wide release, and they’re aiming for an August 29th theatrical release. Our friends at Bloody Disgusting...

These days, multi-hyphenate writer/director/executive producer/co-ceo of DC Studios James Gunn is a pretty massive mover and shaker in the entertainment world, but in 2004, he was still just getting his career off the ground. Sure, he had been working with Lloyd Kaufman and Troma Studios for years at that point, having written "Tromeo and Juliet" in 1996 for his very first official gig, and he had written a successful screenplay for "Scooby-Doo" in 2002, but he was far from the professional and pop culture titan he is today. In true Troma spirit, however, Gunn was still hard at work on low-budget projects, and he starred as a version of himself alongside his then-wife Jenna Fischer in her directorial debut, a mockumentary called "LolliLove."

"LolliLove" is as indie as it gets, filmed for about $1,500 and shot in and around Gunn and Fischer's home, with actual footage from their wedding used as B-roll.

James Gunn is now one of the biggest names in Hollywood. As the co-ceo of DC Studios, he’s in charge of shaping the future of the DC Universe.

Before that, he directed Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies and is now behind the upcoming Superman. But before superheroes and billion-dollar franchises, Gunn worked on a much smaller, and much weirder project.

In 2004, Gunn starred in LolliLove, a low-budget mockumentary directed by Jenna Fischer, who was his wife at the time. Fischer also co-wrote the movie and played the lead alongside Gunn. The film is a sharp comedy about a wealthy Southern California couple who believe they’ve come up with a genius way to help the homeless: handing out lollipops wrapped in cheerful slogans.

The cast is full of familiar faces. Jason Segel, Linda Cardellini, Judy Greer, and cult filmmaker Lloyd Kaufman all appear, mostly as versions of themselves.

James Gunn might be best known today as the man behind Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad, and the upcoming Superman. But before he was leading huge superhero movies, he was part of a much smaller, stranger project, a 2004 mockumentary called LolliLove.

LolliLove was directed by Jenna Fischer, who also co-wrote and starred in it alongside Gunn, her husband at the time. The movie is a sharp, awkward comedy about a rich Southern California couple who decide to “help” the homeless in their own misguided way. Their big idea? Handing out lollipops with cheerful slogans printed on the wrappers.

The cast includes several familiar faces. Gunn plays James. Fischer plays Jenna. Jason Segel, Linda Cardellini, Judy Greer, and even cult filmmaker Lloyd Kaufman make appearances. Most of them play exaggerated versions of themselves.

Fischer told St. Louis Magazine that she began with a loose plot outline and then had...

Not only is The Toxic Avenger opening in theaters unrated across the US on August 29, it’s also infecting the UK and Ireland the same day.

Watch Signature Entertainment’s UK trailer below, where you’ll also find a quad poster for the superhero horror-comedy.

Produced by The Toxic Avenger creator Lloyd Kaufman, the fresh take on Troma’s 1984 cult classic is written and directed by Macon Blair (I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore).

Downtrodden janitor Winston Gooze is exposed to a catastrophic toxic accident, transforming him into a mutant vigilante. Toxie must rise from outcast to savior, taking on ruthless corporate overlords and corrupt forces who threaten his son, his friends, and his community.

Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones”) stars with Jacob Tremblay (Doctor Sleep), Taylour Paige (Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F), Julia Davis (Phantom Thread), Jonny Coyne (“11.22.63”), Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings...

Some filmmakers are just so sincere that they’re incapable of making a soulless product even when actively attempting to sell out. One of my favorite examples of this is the career of Troma co-founder and master of schlock, Lloyd Kaufman. From the Toxic Crusaders cartoon to the director’s fondness for cash-grab sequels, Uncle Lloyd has never shied away from more commercial endeavors so long as the patrons don’t get in the way of his unique, anti-corporate vision.

And among the filmmaker’s numerous attempts at translating the underground appeal of Troma to a wider audience, the bizarre production of Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD happens to be one of the most fascinating. While this deeply odd superhero flick wasn’t as big of a hit as The Toxic Avenger (and Kaufman himself considered it a disappointment for many years), I’d argue that the clownish antics of Kabukiman resulted...

"Sometimes you gotta do something..." Ready for this monster mayhem? Empire Magazine & Signature Ent. has debuted a brand new official UK trailer for the gnarly, violent, crazy new horror remake of The Toxic Avenger. Also known as The Toxic Avenger: Uncut – because they're all releasing it without cutting out all the most gruesome gore that kept it from being released for the last two years. The movie will hit UK and US theaters (both!!) starting August 29th at the end of the summer. The original The Toxic Avenger from 1984 is a Lloyd Kaufman / Troma horror cult classic. Many sequels were made, and spin-offs, but now Troma has teamed up with Legendary for a brand new take. Macon Blair's The Toxic Avenger reboot follows struggling everyman-janitor Winston Gooze (starring Peter Dinklage as our new anti-hero) who is transformed by a horrible toxic accident into a new evolution of superhero: The Toxic Avenger!

Grap your mop, everyone: the Toxic Avenger is back. In the mid-‘80s, the original The Toxic Avenger became the definition of a cult favourite – a scuzzy, super lo-fi blast from the team at Troma Entertainment, with a janitor transformed into a melty-fleshed crimefighter after a toxic waste incident. Produced for just $500,000, it became something of a VHS legend with its gnarly effects, and transgressive energy. Several decades later, ‘Toxie’ is back in an all-new take on The Toxic Avenger – with Blue Ruin and Green Room star Macon Blair as its writer-director, bringing fresh mayhem to the screen. This time, the Toxic Avenger is played by Peter Dinklage (with Luisa Guerreiro under all the makeup after the transformation), and there’s a stacked cast all round for this one. Check out the UK trailer exclusively here:

And here’s some snazzy new poster art, oozing retro cool.

As well as Dinklage,...

Occupy Cannes Photo: Fantasia International Film Festival

“Thank you for paying attention to Troma,” says Lloyd Kaufman, sincerely, when we meet at the 2025 Fantasia International Film Festival. I find it difficult to understand how one could do otherwise – whatever one might think of it, it has a way of getting noticed. in fact, its guerilla marketing tactics are among the subjects of Lily Hayes Kaufman’s new documentary, Occupy Cannes, which the three of us, along with star Catherine Corcoran, are ostensibly here to talk about. But with Lloyd in the room, conversations have a tendency to wander.

As we get comfortable, I remind him of our last meeting, many years ago in Edinburgh, when its film festival coincided with its wider festival. His wife (Patricia Swinney Kaufman) had been very excited about attending that. He apologises that she hasn’t been able to join the team at Fantasia, explaining that she had to go.

This month’s The Toxic Avenger has been a long time coming. The upcoming iteration has core origins courtesy of Legendary Pictures in 2018, with the movie wrapping production in 2021 and screening at Fantastic Fest in 2023. But for a while, it looked like it may never emerge past that due to nobody wanting to pick it up for distribution. Now, we will finally see Peter Dinklage take over the mop, and Toxic Avenger creator Lloyd Kaufman can’t wait for the reaction.

Speaking with ComicBook.com, Lloyd Kaufman admitted that a reboot of The Toxic Avenger may not have sat well with Troma die-hards but that it has been testing through the roof. “It’s a risk, because fanboys [say], ‘Oh, remakes are no good.’ I got a lot of contact from Troma fans, ‘Why are you remaking it?’ But this is better than the original. The audiences that I’ve sat with,...

Peter Dinklage's Toxic Avengerhas officially resurrected the Moviefone telephone line more than a decade after it closed.

Per Bloody Disgusting, the long-lost Moviefone telephone line has officially returned. Rather than hearing the iconic "Hello, and welcome to Moviefone!" automated message, however, callers will instead be greeted by none other than Dinklage himself in the form of Toxie. Since the promotion between Cineverse and Bloody Disgusting began on Aug. 1, fans have been able call 1-802-377-film to hear Peter Dinklage in character as he reads show-times for the film, offers tips on purchasing tickets, and re-enacts scenes from the trailer for the upcoming The Toxic Avenger reboot.

Cineverse SVP of Marketing Lauren McCarthy said of the promotion, "We are thrilled to bring fans (writer-director) Macon Blair’s hilarious, punk-rock, heart-warming film alongside the imitable nostalgia of the Moviefone number. This toxi-rific pairing is just the latest installment in our...

In the independent film community, few names are as iconic as Troma Entertainment, the famously scrappy production company behind films like The Toxic Avenger and Class of Nuke ‘Em High. The company’s latest film, Occupy Cannes, is a documentary following the Troma Team as they headed to Cannes in 2013 to promote the premiere of Return to Nuke ‘Em High Vol. 1, only to run into opposition from the establishment… and the authorities.

Timed to the film’s 2025 Fantasia International Film Festival world premiere, FandomWire got the opportunity to speak with Occupy Cannes director Lily-Hayes Kaufman and its subjects, legendary Troma Entertainment founder Lloyd Kaufman and Return to Nuke ‘Em High and Terrifier actress Catherine Corcoran, about the future of independent film in the face of increasing restrictions. Check out the interview here:

Occupy Cannes Interview

FandomWire: The events depicted in Occupy Cannes happened 12 years ago. Why do you think now...

In the romantic comedy “I Fell in Love with a Z-Grade Director in Brooklyn“, the Kenichi Ugana showcases his passion for American underground cinema and tells a classical “boy meets girls” story set in the punky environment of New York City.

I Fell in Love with a Z-Grade Director in Brooklyn is screening at Fantasia International Film Festival

Mizuhara Shina is the upcoming star of the Japanese film industry. The big success of “Rebellion of Love” gives her all the opportunities and puts her in the limelight of the press. But fame does not satisfy her. Despite all the attention she gets, Shina is demotivated and cannot find passion for her profession. She leaves her agency and moves to New York with her boyfriend, Ren.

Making their way to all the tourist sights, the couple realises that their relationship is built upon superficiality and they break up. When Shina loses her luggage,...

Vinegar Syndrome just kicked off the month with the reveal of their full August lineup, and one of the highlights of the new wave is Troma’s cult classic Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.

Available as a Standard Edition or a Limited Edition Slipcase Edition, the 1990 Troma film gets a 4K Ultra HD upgrade from Vinegar Syndrome, and it’s now up for pre-order!

The company previews, “This special limited edition 3-disc 4K Uhd/2 x Blu-ray set comes with a spot gloss hard slipcase + slipcover combo (designed by Luke Insect and Johnny Ryan), includes a 40-page perfect bound book and is limited to 7,000 units. It is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.

“From Lloyd Kaufman & Michael Herz, creators of The Toxic Avenger, comes a different kind of superhero. Mixing high-stakes action, spectacular car stunts, monstrous mutants, and Troma’s signature...

What was once a genre almost exclusively targeted towards children has since evolved to include adult-oriented crime dramas and cosmic war movies, and that’s why it’s no surprise that superhero stories have steadily become grittier and more violent over the years. And while I’m of the opinion that a no-kill code is essential for most superheroes in order to distance them from real life vigilantism, not all heroes are created equal. For instance, in a town as thoroughly beset by evil as Tromaville, concerned citizens are in dire need of a brutal hero willing to get his hands dirty when mopping up crime!

Thankfully, Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz came to the rescue with 1984’s The Toxic Avenger, with the film (and its sequels) feeling like the result of an unholy union between a slasher flick with a superhero comic. And in honor of Macon Blair’s...

Moviefone is getting a little “toxic.” IndieWire can unveil the latest ad for the legendary entertainment brand that features Peter Dinklage as his character from “The Toxic Avenger” reboot. (“The Toxic Avenger” will be in theaters August 29 to revive the beloved Troma franchise.)

The ad, released below, was made in partnership with studio Cineverse and Moviefone. Fans can call Moviefone for the first time since the phone line (1-802-377-film) was disconnected more than a decade ago. (Moviefone celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.) The original Moviefone greeting “Hello, and welcome to Moviefone!” became an instant catchphrase in the ‘90s, but now, Dinklage is adding his own twist on the platform. During the phone call, fans will experience Toxie reading showtimes, listen to re-enactments of the “Toxic Avenger” trailer, and get tips on how to buy tickets on Moviefone.com.

Macon Blair is writing and directing “The Toxic Avenger,...

Screambox has revealed the new films that are joining the Bloody Disgusting-powered horror streaming service in August 2025.

In anticipation of The Toxic Avenger reboot hitting theaters on August 29, Lloyd Kaufman‘s original The Toxic Avenger, its three sequels, and the “Toxic Crusaders” cartoon are coming to Screambox on August 15.

They’ll be joined by 50 more Troma cult classics, including Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead, Class of Nuke ‘Em High, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D., Surf Nazis Must Die, Tromeo and Juliet, Terror Firmer, and Cannibal! The Musical.

Other highlights include William Lustig‘s slasher Maniac Cop starring Tom Atkins and Bruce Campbell, Takashi Miike‘s sadomasochistic gorefest Ichi the Killer, Frank Henenlotter‘s irreverent horror-comedy Frankenhooker, ’80s heavy metal horror Black Roses, and horror web series “Serial” about two killers destined to collide.

The month’s full schedule is as follows:

August 1

Ichi the Killer...

Few independent film companies have gained quite as large of a cult following as Lloyd Kaufman’s Troma, the company behind The Toxic Avenger and countless other cult classics. In fact, their cult following became so strong that they started an entire movement. Though it may not be the most timely, the Troma-centric documentary Occupy Cannes offers an uncommonly probing level of insight into the festival establishment, making it a rewarding watch for any frequent festival-goer, indie filmmaker, or Troma fan.

Occupy Cannes Review

Occupy Cannes follows Lloyd Kaufman and the Troma Team as they head to Cannes in 2013 to promote the world premiere of Return to Nuke ‘Em High Volume 1, only for them to run into challenges when the Cannes Film Festival and local authorities attempt to stop their unorthodox methods. Since it is directed by Kaufman’s daughter, Lily Hayes Kaufman, this documentary offers intimate (and frequently...

Earlier this week we shared a sneak peek at the upcoming book Screaming and Conjuring from author Clark Collis that put the spotlight on James Gunn’s horror comedy Slither, and we’re back with another Gunn-themed excerpt from the must-read horror book.

This particular exclusive excerpt is all about James Gunn and Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead, the 2004 remake of the George A. Romero masterpiece that Gunn scripted and Snyder directed. Yes, two filmmakers who would go on to bring very different depictions of Superman to the big screen got their start working together on a classic horror remake!

While Dawn of the Dead is fondly remembered as one of the best remakes from that particular period of time, the initial response to the project wasn’t exactly kind. In fact, James Gunn – who had previously written the Scooby-Doo movie at the time – even received death threats.

Praise Eywa! The new issue of Empire is nearly here, bringing a major dispatch from Pandora. Or, more accurately, James Cameron’s headquarters, where Avatar: Fire And Ash is entering its final stages. You can read all about the next chapter in the saga in the September 2025 issue – pre-order yours here – which hits shelves on Thursday 31 July.

For now, here’s a sneak peek inside.

Avatar: Fire And Ash

Ready for another all-out Na’vi epic? Empire joins James Cameron at Avatar HQ for two full days, watching him as he brings his next sci-fi behemoth into being. Plus, we speak to Jake Sully himself, Sam Worthington, and incoming villain Varang, Oona Chaplin, as the Avatar story gets ready to explore.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues

Turn it up to 11: Spinal Tap are back in a long-awaited sequel mockumentary. Empire interviews the full band – David St. Hubbins, Derek Smalls,...

Perhaps the unlikeliest superhero franchise of all is "The Toxic Avenger," a low-budget flick produced by Troma Entertainment in the '80s. As the cult classic gradually found its audience, it spawned a line of sequels, a wave of merchandising, even its own widely forgotten animated series. Blending gory horror with cheap superhero action, often with an undercurrent of social commentary, the Toxic Avenger was the ultimate underdog hero for the late '80s and early '90s. But rather than falling into obscurity, the Toxic Avenger has risen from the cinematic grave multiple times since his debut, including with the property's Peter Dinklage-led revival in 2025.

For those who missed out on Toxie, as fans refer to him, and are curious about the mutated crusader, there's a whole history to the franchise's surprising growth. The influence of the Toxic Avenger series has an impressive span, including with "Guardians of the Galaxy...

Entertainment studio Cineverse made a significant impact at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, presenting new material from two highly anticipated, non-rated theatrical releases: the reboot of The Toxic Avenger and a new installment in the Silent Night, Deadly Night franchise.

The studio’s presence was highlighted by a Hall H panel for The Toxic Avenger, which featured an exclusive first-look clip from the forthcoming horror-comedy. The panel included a formidable lineup of talent associated with the project. Writer and director Macon Blair was present, alongside the iconic co-founder of Troma Entertainment, Lloyd Kaufman. They were joined by a distinguished cast, including Peter Dinklage, Elijah Wood, Jacob Tremblay, and Taylour Paige. A surprise video message from cast member Kevin Bacon, who was unable to attend, was also presented to the audience. In conjunction with the panel, it was announced that tickets for the film’s theatrical run are now available for purchase.

Plot: Loosely based on the 1984 cult classic, The Toxic Avenger stars Peter Dinklage as a terminally ill janitor named Winston Gooze who transforms into a mutant vigilante after a toxic accident. He then must rise from outcast to become a hero, battling corporate greed and corruption to protect his community and step son. But does it live up to the cult status of the original?

Review: Let’s get this right off the bat. Director Macon Blair’s riotous remake of The Toxic Avenger might not win over the uninitiated, at first, but for those steeped in the radioactive grime of Tromaville, it’s a sludge-soaked triumph. A worthy spiritual successor to Lloyd Kaufman’s 1984 cult classic, this new iteration is less reboot and more reanimation—one that gleefully rips off its own limbs and reattaches them with the kind of DIY gross-out ingenuity only a Troma fan could love.

The Toxic Avenger is a movie that many people believed would never see light of day. Despite being completed almost two years, the film has sat in limbo, throwing out small teasers, trailers and images to let everyone know it still exists. However, now, the movie is ready to unleash its insane, gory madness on the world in just over a month’s time. But what made director Macon Blair choose Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage for the lead role of this remake of the classic Troma Entertainment property? Simply, he likes him.

During a short interview at San Diego Comic-Con, Blair was asked his reasons for making Dinklage the star of his movie by The Hollywood Reporter, to which he replied:

“I just like working with people that I like, and [have] senses of humor, and if I have had a good time with them in the past, I like to keep it going.

The new version of The Toxic Avenger is finally coming to movie theaters, and it comes with a popcorn bucket that's perfect for the film. Of course, that also means that it's not very appetizing.

In a post shared online, the Cinemark theater chain unveiled their official Toxic Avenger popcorn bucket. Appropriately, it's in the form of a toxic waste barrel, a reference to the chemicals that cause the titular monster's transformation. Added details make the bucket look rusty with green ooze seeping out from the top. It comes with a lid with a hazard sign on top, and a look inside reveals that the interior appears smeared with green slime. It may be among the more unusual popcorn buckets seen in recent years, but Toxie would be proud.

Time to make your popcorn Toxic ☣ï¸Our #TheToxicAvenger popcorn bucket is coming to theatres soon 🤫 pic.twitter.com...

San Diego Comic-Con is nearly here! Next week, I'll be moderating two horror comic book panels you won't want to miss! It's always an honor to moderate panels at Comic-Con, diving into the art of horror storytelling with a diverse group of creators. And, of course, I always love connecting with Daily Dead readers, so if you're attending Sdcc, I hope to see you there!

First up, hang out with us Saturday afternoon for:

Comixology Presents: Your Horror Fix

Saturday July 26, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm Pdt Room 5Ab

"Actor Thomas Jane (Troppo, The Punisher, The Lycan), Eisner Award-winning writer/artist Becky Cloonan (Somna, By Chance or Providence), writer/artist Phillip Sevy (The House, Headless Horseman Annual), and artist Drew Zucker (The House, The Feeding) discuss creating the plot, setting, and characters of some of the most creepy and hair-raising comics out now and why we love to be frightened.

Legendary low-budget producer Lloyd Kaufman, passed the ceremonial mop to The Toxic Avenger director Macon Blair in San Diego Comic-Con's Hall H on Thursday. The panel—moderated by IMDb's own Bret Federigan—was on stage to hype Blair's remake of the 1984 cult classic that put Troma on the map with its trademark mix of violence, gore, nudity, and crude humor.

Kaufman, 79, praised Blair's reimagining of his cult classic, saying "it was everything [we] tried in the original, but didn’t quite get there." The Troma chief then presented Blair with Toxie's iconic mop in a symbolic gesture that reinforced his support of emerging talent. Kaufman shared that he also received help from big names like Stan Lee (who published the “Toxic Avenger” comic) and producer Roger Corman, who was a friend for decades and supported him in the industry.

Despite his studio's reputation as a purveyor of cinematic sleaze, Troma has featured many up and coming talents over the years, including James Gunn (Tromeo and Juliet), Trey Parker and Matt Stone (Cannibal! The Musical), J.J. Abrams (as composer on Nightbeast), Kevin Costner (Sizzle Beach, U.S.A.), Billy Bob Thornton (Chopper Chicks in Zombietown), and more.

Also participating in the panel were stars Peter Dinklage (Toxie), Elijah Wood, Taylour Paige, and Jacob Tremblay. Learn more about The Toxic Avenger on IMDb before the film releases in theaters on Aug. 28.

One would expect the cast of “The Toxic Avenger” — a bloody, violent, unrated horror-comedy about janitor-turned-superhero Winston Gooze (Peter Dinklage) whose body is gruesomely deformed from toxic waste — to drop a few f-bombs during their panel at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday. And that did happen after Dinklage, Elijah Wood, Taylour Paige, Jacob Tremblay, writer-director Macon Blair (“I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore”) and producer Lloyd Kaufman took the stage inside Hall H. Before they even started talking, their co-star Kevin Bacon appeared in a video apologizing for not making it to San Diego, which he capped with a song pleading for people to see what he called a “hilarious, punk, fun, bloody ride” in the theater.

“Stayin’ at home going to make you blue / You need the movies and the movies need you,” Bacon sang. “Down to the theater, try your luck / ‘Toxic Avenger,’ show the fuck up.

James Gunn's DC Studios role is praised by his long-time collaborator and B-movie legend Lloyd Kaufman at San Diego Comic-Con 2025. James Gunn's work on Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy tested his skills at translating comic book heroes to live-action. But before that, Gunn built a career in the B-movie scene at Troma, best known for their Toxic Avenger movies.

At San Diego Comic-Con 2025, ScreenRant's Ash Crossan interviewed Toxic Avenger creator Lloyd Kaufman, who shared his thoughts on the origins of James Gunn's filmmaking career at Troma. Kaufman noted Gunn's academic preparation, but revealed that it was Gunn's commitment to the craft that made him a standout filmmaker from the start. Read Kaufman's full comments below:

Ash Crossan: "Lloyd, when I think about Troma, I was just thinking about this, one of the people that got their starts at Troma was Mr. James Gunn, who has one of...

Speaking at San Diego Comic-Con, Toxic Avenger creator and writer Lloyd Kaufman provides details on failed reboot plans. Kaufman is the original creator of the Toxic Avenger character. He served as a writer, producer, and one of the two directors of the original The Toxic Avenger movie in 1984.

Now, Kaufman returns as a producer for the modern remake of The Toxic Avenger. Like the first film, this version tells the story of a janitor who turns into an unlikely hero after a horrific toxic waste accident. This time, Peter Dinklage is in the lead role with a supporting cast that includes Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige, and Luisa Guerreiro.

In an interview with ScreenRant at Sdcc, Kaufman speaks about past failed reboots of The Toxic Avenger. In the past, Kaufman said, people proposed that certain "wrestlers" could play the lead or that there could be a "Toxette Avenger," casting a female lead instead.

At San Diego Comic-Con, the team behind The Toxic Avengerreveals an update about a potential sequel. The 2025 film is a remake of the 1984 action B-movie of the same name, which starred Mitch Cohen in the lead role. Borrowing a similar storyline, the remake follows the story of a janitor named Winston Gooze who transforms into a new hero after a horrific accident.

This version of The Toxic Avenger is directed by Macon Blair and stars Peter Dinklage in the lead role. The other cast members include Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige, Luisa Guerreiro, David Yow, Annette Badland, and Blair himself. The Toxic Avenger is set for release on August 29.

In an interview with ScreenRant at Sdcc, Blair, Dinklage, and writer Lloyd Kaufman spoke about the possibility of a Toxic Avenger sequel. The team was asked if they had a plan for more movies and if they would be willing. Blair opened with enthusiasm,...

Fans have been waiting a long time to see writer/director Macon Blair’s remake of the Troma cult classic The Toxic Avenger (watch it Here), which wrapped filming way back in 2021 and unveiled a teaser trailer near the end of 2023, around the time it had its world premiere screening – but we won’t have to wait much longer. At the start of the year, it was announced that Cineverse had acquired the distribution rights with the intention of giving the film a wide release, and we’ve since learned that they’re aiming for an August 29th theatrical release. And if the movie leaves fans wanting more, they’re in luck, as Legendary Comics has announced that they will be releasing an “official tox-spansion” of the film in graphic novel form! Copies of an expanded edition of the graphic novel will be available through a Kickstarter campaign that hasn’t yet been launched.

Spanning a massive 18 days in Montreal, Canada, the Fantasia International Film Festival remains one of the biggest genre film festivals in the world. Featuring everything from world premieres of new horror flicks and exciting underground pictures to screenings of some of the buzziest films that have played the festival circuit in the past year, Fantasia is unquestionably one of the most exciting times of the year for any cinephile.

We at FandomWire have gotten the chance to see some of the films that are playing at this year’s Fantasia, and while there are plenty of things we are excited to discover ourselves, here are a few films we’ve already seen that we think deserve your attention:

Death Does Not Exist

Fantasia might be best known as a festival for horror and other genre films, but it also boasts a consistently impressive lineup of animation from around the world.

Hot on the heels of their initial lineup announcement, Popcorn Frights is back to announce an additional 25 film premieres, epic events, and special guests getting ready to take over South Florida from August 7 to August 17!

Tina Romero, daughter of zombie godfather George A. Romero, will be in attendance for the Southeast US premiere of her undead drag spectacle Queens of the Dead. This night of the living glam will be paired with a fabulous live drag performance that’s guaranteed to slay and leave audiences gagging… for more brains! Romero will also present a special 40th Anniversary 4K Restoration of her father’s seminal zombie classic Day of the Dead, bringing the zombies back to Florida soil where it was originally shot. Check out the rest of the feature announcements below!

Speaking of horror icons, the legendary Dee Wallace is crashing the party for a triple-bill, appearing in person to...

A film festival that is truly a blood-splattered love letter to horror's past, present, and future, Popcorn Frights is an infectiously fun celebration of not just the scares on the big screen, but also the people who put their hearts and souls into creating them. This August, that celebratory cinematic spirit will haunt South Florida when Popcorn Frights returns for its eleventh edition from August 7th–17th with an in-theater and virtual lineup that is brimming with legendary special guests, retrospective screenings, immersive theatrical experiences, and must-see movies from emerging filmmakers with their own killer styles.

Following a frightfully fun first wave reveal, Popcorn Frights is doubling down on a killer time at the cinema with their second wave announcement that includes a Dee Wallace triple feature of Cujo, The Hills Have Eyes, and The Howling, as well as Tina Romero's Queens of the Dead, John Carpenter's The Fog presented in "Fog-o-Vision,...

The Popcorn Frights Film Festival is back with its eleventh this year, both in-person and virtually, from August 7-17. The Southeast’s largest genre celebration announces its second wave of programming this morning, from new premieres to repertory screening classics.

The second wave highlights include a screening of Tina Romero’s Queens of the Dead. The filmmaker is also presenting a special 40th Anniversary 4K Restoration of her father’s seminal zombie classic Day of the Dead, bringing the zombies back to Florida soil where it was originally shot.

Horror legend Dee Wallace joins the party for a howl-worthy triple-bill, appearing in-person to introduce three of her all-time cult classics hits: Stephen King’s Cujo, Wes Craven’s The Hills Have Eyes, and Joe Dante’s The Howling, newly restored in 4K. She joins previously announced guests Barbara Crampton, Lloyd Kaufman, and Linnea Quigley.

As if that’s not enough,...

The remake of The Toxic Avenger will receive its UK premiere at FrightFest at the Odeon Luxe in London’s Leicester Square on August 22, so fans who have been eagerly awaiting the remake do not have long to wait before catching it for themselves. As attendees will be aware, FrightFest is the UK’s largest and most prestigious horror festival. Running since 2000, the festival offers a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for horror fans and creators to meet and interact over the course of five days, and attendees will tell you that all self-respecting horror fans absolutely need to attend FrightFest.

The comedic film stars Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage as Winston Gooze, who transforms into the superhero known as the Toxic Avenger after falling into a vat of acid, with Luisa Guerreiro playing the deformed hero, with Dinklage providing the character’s voice after the transformation. And the plot focuses...

Cineverse , a next-generation entertainment studio, has announced an unforgettable panel taking place on Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 5:30Pm – 6:30Pm at San Diego Comic-Con in support of The Toxic Avenger. Before it hits theaters on August 29, 2025, writer & director Macon Blair, iconic Troma co-founder Lloyd Kaufman, and an all-star cast including Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones”), Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings franchise), Jacob Tremblay, and Taylour Paige will come together for a toxic takeover.

Get ready for mayhem, mutants, and mop justice! Taking place in Hall H, the panel will feature exclusive clips from the film, limited-edition swag for attendees and behind-the-scenes chaos with the cast and creators.

Based on Lloyd Kaufman’s original 1984 horror/comedy, when a downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze, is exposed to a catastrophic toxic accident, he’s transformed into a new kind of hero: The Toxic Avenger. Now, Toxie must rise from outcast to savior,...

Fans have been waiting a long time to see writer/director Macon Blair’s remake of the Troma cult classic The Toxic Avenger (watch it Here), which wrapped filming way back in 2021 and unveiled a teaser trailer near the end of 2023, around the time it had its world premiere screening – but we won’t have to wait much longer. At the start of the year, it was announced that Cineverse had acquired the distribution rights with the intention of giving the film an unrated wide release, and we’ve since learned that they’re aiming for an August 29th theatrical release. But before the new movie makes its way out into the world, Troma will be unveiling Mr. Melvin, a reconstruction of their original plan for their 1989 films The Toxic Avenger Part II and The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie. You can watch a trailer for...

You may have seen The Toxic Avenger Part II and The Toxic Avenger Part III before, but never like this.

The sequels were originally written and shot as one movie, but directors Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz ended up with so much footage that they broke it up into two installments.

36 years later, the initial vision for the sequel has been reconstructed under its original title, Mr. Melvin. Watch the exclusive trailer below.

The 127-minute movie will premiere as part of Troma-Thon 2025 at the Mahoning Drive-In Theater in Lehighton, Pa on July 18-19, followed by a screening at Popcorn Frights Film Festival in Fort Lauderdale, Fl on August 8.

The filmmakers gave Andrew L. Miller, Kaufman’s assistant, and Adam Peltier, star of Troma’s upcoming film The Power of Positive Murder, their blessing to edit the two sequels together from the recently unearthed original script.

Toxie actor Ron Fazio provides new voiceover for Mr.

This summer, the Popcorn Frights Film Festival returns for its 11th edition, and it’s bigger, bloodier, and bolder than ever. From August 7 to August 17, the festival will takeover South Florida, unleashing a massive program of the best in genre cinema. Today, the festival has revealed its highly anticipated First Wave lineup—featuring 19 film premieres and 9 special presentations that bring together horror royalty, cult icons, and scream queens for a cinematic experience with the volume cranked all the way up.

The festival will kick off with an Opening Night World Premiere Double-Bill from fan-favorite filmmaker and two-time Popcorn Frights award-winner Brandon Christensen. He has not one, but two films coming to Shudder and the festival gets a first look at his tales of terror, Bodycam and Night of the Reaper.

Popcorn Frights is also rolling out the red carpet for horror royalty with the arrival of Barbara Crampton, who’s...

Iron Man. Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The Avengers. Deadpool & Wolverine. The famed Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con has become the go-to place for major studios to preview their upcoming big screen blockbusters, from new installments in billion dollar franchises to Marvel’s latest superhero offerings. Back in 2019, Deadline fittingly referred to San Diego Comic-Con as “Cannes for Capes,” calling Hall H “the biggest stage” at the annual event as well as “a mandatory stop for anybody in the business of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, or superhero fare.”

But many of the major studios – including Marvel and WB/DC – are sitting out Sdcc this year, leaving some big Hall H spots to be filled. And you better believe we’re filling one of them.

Cineverse and Bloody Disgusting are excited to announce today that director Macon Blair’s The Toxic Avenger will be oozing into Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con this summer!

Fighting crime doesn’t pay, but selling out does in Mr. Melvin, a new reconstruction of The Toxic Avenger Part II and The Toxic Avenger Part III based on the original script.

Get an exclusive look at the official poster by Emmy Award-winning artist Dean Haspiel below. No stranger to Toxie, Haspiel illustrated a variant cover for Ahoy Comics’s The Toxic Avenger comic, in addition to working with the likes of Marvel and DC.

The film will premiere as part of Troma-Thon 2025 at the Mahoning Drive-In Theater in Lehighton, Pa on July 18-19, followed by a screening at Popcorn Frights Film Festival in Fort Lauderdale, Fl on August 8.

“The fellas sent me a link to the Mr. Melvin cut that combined and edited Toxic Avenger II and III back into its original screenplay, and we discussed the best approach to the poster,” Haspiel tells Bloody Disgusting.

“They wanted Toxie...

Fans have been waiting a long time to see writer/director Macon Blair’s remake of the Troma cult classic The Toxic Avenger (watch it Here), which wrapped filming way back in 2021 and unveiled a teaser trailer near the end of 2023, around the time it had its world premiere screening – but we won’t have to wait much longer. At the start of the year, it was announced that Cineverse had acquired the distribution rights with the intention of giving the film a wide release, and we’ve since learned that they’re aiming for an August 29th theatrical release. Before we reach that date, it has been revealed that Toxie is going to be oozing his way into San Diego Comic-Con for a Hall H panel that’s scheduled to take place from 5:30Pm – 6:30Pm on Thursday, July 24th!

Three years ago, the Motion Picture Association ratings...

Nothing beats the heat like a little horror. Or a lot. Or how about 11 nights of "pure unfiltered terror"? The 11th edition of the Popcorn Frights Film Festival will offer all that, in-person in South Florida from August 7-17, 2025, alongside an internet ("virtual") component. The opening night festivities will include a double-bill from Brandon Christensen, with both Bodycam and Night of the Reaper. Barbara Crampton, the Queen of the Night, will be present to introduce Re-Animator, From Beyond, and Teacher's Pet, and Lloyd Kaufman, the King of Troma, will present Mr. Melvin. And that's not all! Linnea Quigley, also Queen of the Night -- we're allowed up to four Queens -- will be live and in person to present three of her 80s...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

A film festival that is truly a blood-splattered love letter to horror's past, present, and future, Popcorn Frights is an infectiously fun celebration of not just the scares on the big screen, but also the people that put their hearts and souls into creating them. This August, that celebratory cinematic spirit will haunt South Florida when Popcorn Frights returns for its eleventh edition from August 7th–17th with an in-theater and virtual lineup that is brimming with legendary special guests, retrospective screenings, immersive theatrical experiences, and must-see movies from emerging filmmakers with their own killer styles.

The impressive first wave of programming for this year's Popcorn Frights includes the “Straight Outta Crampton” triple feature of the Re-Animator 4K restoration, From Beyond, and Teacher's Pet with the legendary Barbara Crampton in attendance, A Quiet Place with live commentary from co-writers Scott Beck & Bryan Woods that will be moderated by horror author...

The Popcorn Frights Film Festival is back with its eleventh this year, both in-person and virtually, from August 7-17. The Southeast’s largest genre celebration announces its first wave of programming this morning, from new premieres to repertory screening classics.

For the first time ever, the festival will kick off with an Opening Night World Premiere Double-Bill from fan-favorite filmmaker and two-time Popcorn Frights award-winner Brandon Christensen. Popcorn Frights is also rolling out the red carpet for horror royalty with the arrival of Barbara Crampton, Lloyd Kaufman, and Linnea Quigley in attendance for special screenings.

In a one-of-a-kind genre celebration, Popcorn Frights, in partnership with Paramount Scares, will present a special screening of A Quiet Place with live commentary by screenwriters Scott Beck & Bryan Woods, moderated by Josh Malerman. The event will also include a “See No Evil, Hear No Evil” interactive game with exclusive prizes, offering fans a uniquely immersive horror experience.

With two weeks until the fest opens on July 16th, Fantasia 2025 has dropped the full and final lineup on us and there is so much to be excited about! Primal's Genndy Tartakovsky brings his latest animated feature Fixed to the festival to close out the celebration of all things genre on August 3rd. While in Montreal, Tartakovsky will also be one of two recipients of the Cheval Noir Career Achievement Award. The other will be legendary musician Danny Elfman, whose work with Tim Burton and dozens of others has defined cinematic scoring for the last four decades. Also being awarded with the Canadian Trailblazer award is Sheila McCarthy, while Anne-Marie Gélinas will receive the Denis-Héroux award and Troma's Lloyd Kaufman will receive the Indie...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...