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This November, Hammer Films marks an extraordinary milestone as it celebrates 90 years in the business of horror and beyond. Founded in 1934, the iconic British film studio remains one of the oldest in the industry, renowned for its indelible mark on horror cinema and for elevating gothic horror to an art form. To honour this remarkable anniversary, the studio has released Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters, a new documentary from Deep Fusion Films that delves into the studio’s legacy, alongside the re-release of the cult classic Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter in its first-ever 4K restoration.

The documentary, now available on Sky Arts and streaming on Now, brings together an impressive line-up of filmmakers and Hammer aficionados to recount the studio’s rise to cult status. Narrated by Charles Dance, Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters revisits Hammer’s early days and traces its journey to becoming a defining force in horror cinema.

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On Monday, Hammer Films’ latest documentary, Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters, had its world premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square in London, bringing together horror icons and dedicated fans in celebration of the legendary studio’s 90th anniversary. The premiere offered an exclusive preview of the documentary, which will officially air on Sky Arts this Halloween at 9 pm, promising horror enthusiasts an inside look at the iconic British studio’s storied past and its enduring impact on the genre.

The red carpet was graced by Hammer’s beloved stars, including Caroline Munro (Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter), Madeline Smith (The Vampire Lovers), and Martine Beswick (One Million Years B.C.), who reminisced about their time with the studio that defined gothic horror for generations. Joining them was the film’s narrator, the acclaimed Charles Dance OBE, whose storied career and commanding voice bring depth to the documentary’s rich history.

Guests were also...

Hammer: Heroes, Legends, and Monsters is set to offer a unique tribute to legendary actor Peter Cushing, best known for his roles as Grand Moff Tarkin in George Lucas’ Star Wars. Having played roles like Van Helsing and Baron Frankenstein in Hammer Films’ Dracula and Frankenstein series, the documentary is set to deliver a special treat for fans and audiences.

Peter Cushing || Credit: Columbia Pictures

Charles Dance, Tywin Lannister from Game of Thrones, will be narrating this documentary, which is produced by Deep Fusion Films, a company specializing in the use of artificial intelligence in film. While this might be a novel approach to documentary filmmaking, the creative film space is not devoid of the use of artificial intelligence, having done so in films like Rogue One and shows like The Mandalorian.

This ain’t Peter Cushing’s first rodeo with AI Cushing as Tarkin in Star Wars: Rogue One,...

A new documentary about Hammer reportedly features Peter Cushing’s AI-generated likeness, a month after a similar case against Disney was ordered to trial.

In what lawyers everywhere must be considering ‘a bold move’, a documentary due to air on Sky this Halloween will use AI to recreate the likeness of Peter Cushing.

Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters has been described by Sky as “a powerful and poignant reveal of Hammer royalty,” featuring a “special homage” to the late actor, who died in 1994.

Director Ben Field – who also runs production company Deep Fusion – said including the deepfake “allows the project to honor the spirit and impact he [Cushing] had on the studio and its fans.” Deep Fusion recently announced its involvement in a world-first podcast hosted by a replication of chat show legend Michael Parkinson, who passed away just last year, a project everyone involved should feel very good and pleased about.

Although Peter Cushing has already been digitally re-created for a posthumous role in Rogue One, Deadline is now reporting that the iconic actor will have his likeness regenerated again with the help of AI. This time, he will be featured in a Halloweentime documentary, Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters, on Sky. Cushing was a regular in the Hammer horror films, which included new adaptations of classic monsters, such as Dracula and Frankenstein.

Sky said it is part of presenting “powerful and poignant reveal of Hammer royalty” and they are doing this as a “special homage” to Cushing. Ben Field, who runs the production company, Deep Fusion, said the project had secured all necessary permissions. He stated that this decision was to show how Cushing is “tied to his significance to the Hammer legacy.” He added, “As a figure central to Hammer’s success, Cushing’s presence is crucial to telling the story authentically.

Exclusive: Fans of Peter Cushing are in for a Halloween treat, with the iconic Frankenstein star the latest to be resurrected by AI.

In Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters, a Sky doc airing in two days’ time, viewers will be treated to a “powerful and poignant reveal of Hammer royalty,” Sky said, with what is being described as a “special homage” to Cushing.

Cushing, who died in 1994, played Doctor Van Helsing in five Dracula films and Baron Frankenstein in six movies from that franchise. He will be the latest celebrity given the AI resurrection treatment. Yesterday, the doc’s producer Deep Fusion Films unveiled a “world first” podcast hosted by a replica of the late chat show presenter Michael Parkinson.

Narrated by Charles Dance, the doc is celebrating Hammer Films’ 90th birthday and will track its progression from a back office in London’s Regent Street to its iconic status within the horror film genre.

Exclusive: Kaleidoscope Film Distribution (Kfd) has acquired worldwide sales rights for Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters, the documentary about British studio Hammer Films we first told you about in August.

Narrated by Charles Dance, the doc explores Hammer Films, which turned 90 this year, through the eyes of its actors, filmmakers and fans. The film traces the history of the production house, which has created classics like The Curse of Frankenstein, Dracula and The Quartermass Xperiment, and will be on show at the upcoming American Film Market.

The doc features Tim Burton, John Landis, John Logan, John Carpenter, Joe Dante and Axelle Carolyn, sharing about the influence that the studio had on them and their careers. It will also showcase rare footage and expert insights on many of Hammer’s horror classics.

Directed by Benjamin Field, co-founder of Deep Fusion Films, the doc is also produced by Field with Jamie Anderson of Hammer Films,...