When Entertainment Weekly unexpectedly dropped the PHANTASM RAVAGER trailer in 2014 phans were blown away that a fifth PHANTASM was coming. They had been waiting over 15 years since PHANTASM OBLIVION’S release in 1999.

The actual principal photography of the film must have set a record in film history (other than BOYHOOD). It was shot over 7 years off and on from 2008 until 2015. RAVAGER would not premiere in theaters until 2 years later after that EW trailer but the mysterious sequel continues to be a hot topic for PHANTASM phans on-line.

In this blog we hope to uncover the truth and major difficulties and hurdles behind the production of the final PHANTASM film! (or is it???? IT’S NEVER OVER!)

THE FILM WAS SHOT IN SECRET WITH AN EMMY NOMINATED DIRECTOR

David Hartman, primarily known for his Emmy-nominated work in animation and visual effects for properties like Winnie The Pooh and Transformers, might have seemed like an unlikely candidate for taking up the "Phantasm" torch. But he was not only a dedicated fan of the series but had also worked with Coscarelli on past projects like MASTERS OF HORROR and JOHN DIES AT THE END.

His horror artwork for SideshowMonkey are also inredibly popular across the web.

He was also an accomplished horror illustrator for icons like Rob Zombie. (see his work at SideshowMonkey.com)

Back in the mid-2000s Coscarelli became inspired by seeing David Hartman’s work for Dan Harmon’s Channel 101 streaming video site. The shorts featured A-list actors like Jack Black in short comedic films and were often shot over the weekend with a small group of filmmakers.  This was very similar to how the original PHANTASM was filmed all the way back in 1979.

Coscarelli asked Hartman if he would be interested in running some tests to determine the feasibility of filming new PHANTASM scenes in a similar style. Enter … REGGIE TALES. A series of shorts that followed Reggie getting into mischief and violence across various galaxies and timelines.

After filming several of these tests Coscarelli was convinced they could pivot instead to instead filming a full feature film and the 5th PHANTASM started to become a reality. Very little of this original test footage was used in the final film and a script was completed soon after.

Unfortunately, there were some major challenges that made PHANTASM: RAVAGER an uphill battle.

THE FILM HAD TO BE SHOT IN THE SAME STYLE AS THE ORIGINAL PHANTASM IN 1979

Unfortunately, the suits at major film studios were not eager to finance a PHANTASM 5. When Coscarelli approached these corporate big wigs, the feedback was that no filmgoers would want to see a sequel with older actors from a film series that was first released in 1979. Coscarelli knew this was patently untrue. When he would come in contact with horror movie fans a PHANTASM 5 was the first question they would ask about. As usual the Hollywood suits were completely out of touch with what audiences actually wanted.

That meant the only option to produce a PHANTASM 5 was to film it on a similar guerilla style like the original PHANTASM using friends and family to be the crew.

ANGUS SCRIMM WAS BATTLING AN ILLNESS

As Don Coscarelli chronicles in one of the most emotional portions of his memoir TRUE INDIE, the legendary Angus Scrimm was battling a serious illness during production of PHANTASM: RAVAGER. After Angus read the script for PHANTASM: RAVAGER he was determined to be in it even with his health issues. Angus rose to the occasion and put in an incredible final performance as “The Tall Man”.

DIRECTOR DAVID HARTMAN WROTE, DIRECTED, PRODUCED, EDITED AND HANDLED ALL VISUAL EFFECTS

To pull off filming a 5th PHANTASM on a budget without any studio assistance David Hartman pulled off a miracle. Hartman man wrote, directed, produced, edited, and most impressively did all the visual effects for PHANTASM: RAVAGER all while continuing his full time job of directing episodes of the Emmy nominated television series TRANSFORMERS: PRIME.

ANGUS WAS ABLE TO SEE THE FINAL CUT OF RAVAGER

Incredibly Angus was able to push through and make it to the first private screening of the final cut of PHANTASM: RAVAGER in a screening room in Los Angeles. As the story goes Angus needed a ride back home and director David Hartman said I’ll drive you home if you liked the movie. As soon as the credits rolled Angus looked at Hartman and said “I guess you will be driving me… It was marvelous!”

A TRIBUTE TO ANGUS

When Angus Scrimm passed away it made international news. Film fans were shocked and saddened. PHANTASM: RAVAGER was lovingly dedicated to Angus and is a wonderful moment in the credits when his memorial appears to the iconic PHANTASM score. There wasn’t a dry eye in the theater when PHANTASM: RAVAGER premiered at Fantastic Fest 2016 in Austin, TX at the Alamo Drafthouse. At Future theatrical showings PHANTASM fans were in awe they were able to pay tribute to Angus on the big screen one last time.

CRITICS PRAISED THE FILM

As this was Angus Scrimm’s final role it was fitting that the critics gave the 5th sequel praise.

Variety’s film critic Joe Leydon said “Franchise fans should enjoy this latest installment as the cinematic equivalent of a greatest hits album. It’s kinda-sorta like an Alain Resnais movie, only with zombie dwarfs. And four-barrel shotguns. And, of course, floating, blade-bedecked silver spheres. “Phantasm: Ravager” — the fifth and purportedly final installment in the cult-favorite franchise launched in 1979 with writer-director Don Coscarelli’s “Phantasm” — most assuredly is the surreal thing, a time-tripping, dimension-hopping whirligig that suggests “Last Year at Marienbad” (or, better still, Resnais’ “Je t’aime, je t’aime”) reconstituted as the fever dream of a horror-fantasy aficionado.”

Additionally, WGN Radio Chicago’s film critic Nick Digilio had this to say on his radio show: “Loved it. Absolutely loved it. 

A perfect and emotionally devastating bookend to the original Phantasm. The first film was the insane fever dream of an adolescent boy dealing with darkness and death and fear.

This is the insane fever dream of an older man dealing with darkness and death and dementia.

I was a kid when I saw the first film, and now I'm a past middle aged man seeing Ravager, and it had the same profound effect on me. This is truly heavy and important stuff, and it's also a kickass sci-fi horror flick with awesome payoffs, great action and stupendous gore!

And, oh God, Angus were you lovely....every single word that Angus Scrimm says in this movie is beautiful, significant and scary. It's his best performance of the entire series. I am very happy right now.”

Additionally, 411Mania critic Bryan Kristopowitz opined:

“Phantasm: Ravager was this writer’s most anticipated movie in both 2015 and 2016. As a full on and complete Phantasm nerd I couldn’t wait to see the movie that was essentially made in secret over several years by director and co-writer David Hartman and producer/co-writer/franchise creator Don Coscarelli. I decided to wait for the movie’s eventual home video release, which came in December of 2016, and then waited even longer to see it so I could watch it with the other Phantasm movies as part of this month long marathon. And now that I’ve finally seen Phantasm: Ravager, I can say that it was well worth the wait. Because Phantasm: Ravager is goddamn awesome.

Really? Goddamn awesome? Yes. Phantasm: Ravager is goddamn awesome. Is it the way I expected the franchise to end? No, not really, but then I didn’t expect it to end with the way Oblivion ended, either. Ravager is an insane $100 million movie made for less than a million. It’s a badass sci-fi horror flick, like most of the other Phantasm movies, and it makes the most of its resources. It’s chock full of ideas and great performances, including maybe the best performance of Reggie Bannister’s career. It also ends with the promise that, yes, the movie may be over, but the story, the Phantasm story, is never over. The Tall Man was right, man.”

And last but not least the legendary Joe Bob Briggs had this to say!

A LOVE LETTER TO THE FANS

The PHANTASM fans rejoiced that they could finally see a PHANTASM sequel after such a long wait.

The cast and filmmakers loved seeing the emotional comments and reviews that came in as soon as it was released.

Here is one of our favorite reviews from super phan James Thomas right after he had watched it at 3am:

As all PHANTASM films over the last 45 years RAVAGER led to some intense debate and discussion. Was it over? Was it really all in the Ice Cream Man’s head? Just where was that Battle Cuda headed?

We hope you join the discussion on our official Facebook page and official Instagram page and let us know your thoughts on the (final?) PHANTASM film.