Did Phantasm II influence the Supernatural TV series?
The television show Supernatural launched in 2005 on The WB. Some Phantasm fans have been wondering if it was influenced by PHANTASM 2 which came out in 1988.
Supernatural (2005) stars Jared Padalecki and Sam Winchester. Photo via Facebook.
Supernatural is an American television series first broadcast on September 13, 2005, on The WB, and subsequently became part of successor network The CW's lineup. Starring Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester, the series follows the two brothers as they hunt demons, ghosts, monsters, and other supernatural beings. (via Wikipedia)
Over the years Phantasm Phans have wondered about the similarities between Supernatural and the PHANTASM series. In fact a recent Reddit Thread posed the question: Anyone else notice how the first season of the show Supernatural is basically just PHANTASM 2?
PHANTASM II (1988) Production still
Reddit user Aleister94 opined:
“They even have modified shotguns and homemade flamethrowers in the trunk and Mike carried the exact same type pistol Dean carried in the show.”
Additionally, website HorrorDVDS.com chimed in with:
“Supernatural shares more than a passing similarity to Coscarelli’s superlative sequel; two blue collar average Joes travel cross-country in a vintage black muscle car pursuing a supernatural foe. Armed with an assortment of over-the-hardware-counter supplies, the duo (consisting of an older, self styled ladies man and a younger, on-a-mission type) banter back and forth while dispatching monsters. Their methods emphasize the practical (guns, knives, chainsaws) over the supernatural (spells and magic). Unintentional homage or deliberate rip-off, watching Supernatural is like being able to peer into an alternate universe, “what-if” scenario.”
