Spawn (1997)

Country of Origin: USA
Year of Production: 1997
Running Times: 90 mins 94 mins (director's cut)
Length: 2791 metres
Format: colour 35mm
Ratio: 1.85:1
Sound: DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

PRODUCTION
Production Companies: Juno Pix / New Line Cinema / Todd McFarlane Entertainment
Executive Producers: Alan C. Blomquist, Todd McFarlane
Co-Executive Producers: Adrianna A.J. Cohen, Brian Witten
Producer: Clint Goldman
Associate Producer: Terry Fitzgerald
Production Associates: Christopher Raimo, Matthew Goodman (uncredited)
Unit Production Manager: Daryl Kass
Assistant Production Coordinator: Christopher Kahn

SCRIPT
Script: Alan McElroy
Comic: Todd McFarlane
Screen Story: Alan McElroy, Mark A.Z. Dippé

DIRECTION
Director: Mark A.Z. Dippé
2nd Unit Director: Steve 'Spaz' Williams
Assistant Directors: J. Michael Haynie, Richard Graves

PHOTOGRAPHY
Director of Photography: Guillermo Navarro
2nd Unit Director of Photography: Jonathan Taylor
Camera Operator: Allen D. Easton
2nd Unit A Camera: Dennis J. Laine
B Camera Operator: Dan Kneece
Steadicam Operators: Dennis J. Laine, Dan Kneece
Assistant Camera: Timothy James Kane
1st Assistant Vistavision Camera: Evan A. Nesbitt
2nd Assistant Camera: Paul Gibilisco
Set Lighting: Alexandre Naufel
Best Boy Electric: John Crimins
Key Grip: Rick Stribling
Stills: Peter Iovino
Colour Timer: Mike Mertens
Computer And Video Playback Supervisor: Glenn Cannon
Playback Coordinator: Diane Jones
Colour: DeLuxe

EDITING AND POST-PRODUCTION
Editors: Todd Busch, Michael N. Knue
Assistant Editors: Joëlle Taar, Neil Eric Wenger, Steve Ansell
Apprentice Editor: Anthony J. Camaioni
Post-Production Supervisor: Claire O'Brien

MUSIC
Music: Graeme Revell
Song: Jonathan H. Davis; Fieldy; Ken Jordan; Scott Kirkland; Marilyn Manson; Henry Rollins; James 'Munky' Shaffer; David Silveria; DJ Spooky; Brian 'Head' Welch
Assistant Music Editor: Ashley Revell (uncredited)
Music Supervisors: George Acogny, Happy Walters
Album Music Coordinator: Joe Fischer
Music Sound Designer: Brian Williams

SOUND
Sound: Jim Thornton
Sound Designers: Jeffrey Kaplan, Brian Williams
Re-Recording Mixers: Chris David, Jim Fitzpatrick
Pre-Dubs Re-Recording Mixer: Liz Sroka
Sound Editors: Greg Hedgepath, David E. Stone
Assistant Sound Editor: Bob Wishnefsky
Sound Effects Editors: Harry Cohen, Scott A. Jennings, Jeffrey Kaplan, Patricio A. Libenson, Bruce Stubblefield
Foley Walkers: Laura Macias, Vince Nicastro, Joan Rowe, Sean Rowe
Foley Mixers: Shawn Kennelly, Eric Thompson, Jim Thornton
Foley Supervising Editor: Jeffrey R. Payne
Foley Editor: Scott Curtis, Linda Di Franco, Michael Dressel

MAKE UP AND COSTUMES
Make Up Artist: Cindy Jane Williams
Costume Designer: Dan Lester

SPECIAL MAKE UP EFFECTS
Special Make Up Effects: Gregory Nicotero, Howard Berger, Robert Kurtzman, Norman Cabrera, Alan Tuskes
Animatronic Creature Effects: Gregory Nicotero, Howard Berger, Robert Kurtzman

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Special Effects Technicians: Chris Brenczewski, Jon Thackery
Technical Director: Douglas James Smith

VISUAL EFFECTS
Visual Effects: C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures; Santa Barbara Studios; EFX Unlimited Inc; Digital Muse; Rhythm and Hues; Western Images
Special Animation and Visual Effects: Industrial Light and Magic
Computer Graphics and Video Displays: Banned from the Ranch Entertainment
Visual Effects Supervisors: Jay Riddle, Steve 'Spaz' Williams
Visual Effects Producers: Bruce Jones, Sandra Almond, Tom C. Peitzman
Director of Visual Effects: Jimi Simmons
Visual Effects: Terrence Masson
Visual Effects Coordinator: Susan Greenhow
Director of Photography: Jonathan Taylor
Key Grip: John 'JW' Warner
Rotoscope: George Oliver
Animators: Bruce Branit, Mark Wendell
Animatic Artist: Louis Katz (uncredited)
Digital Production Manager: Lisa Atkinson
Digital Effects Designers: Peter G. Travers, Scott Gordon
CG Animators: Tom Capizzi, Kelly Wilcox, Constance Bracewell, Jason Wardle (uncredited)
Computer Graphic Artists: Glenn Cannon, Jason MacLeod
Digital Artists: Roger Kupelian, Matt Merkovich (uncredited), R. Christopher White (uncredited)
Compositors: Lucy Taylor, Lance Wilhoite
Digital Compositing Artist: Brian Moylan
Digital Compositors: Ali Laventhol, Eddie Pasquarello, Todd Mesher
Software Development: Matt Rhodes
Software Engineer: Berj Bannayan
Matte Artist: Ronn Brown
Visual Effects Art Director: Scott Leberecht
Technical Director: Richard Grandy
Visual Effects Video Editor / Clearance: Debra Sanderson
Priest Combat Suit Designer And Builder: Jerry Macaluso (uncredited)
Spawn Suit Fabricator: Brian Bero

Banned from the Ranch Entertainment
Visual Effects Producer: Casey Cannon

Cinesite
Vice President / Head of Production: Gil Gagnon
Computer Graphics Animator: Tim Ketzer (uncredited)
Digital Compositor: Sonia Calvert

C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures
CG Animator: Colin Cunningham

Digital Magic
Visual Effects Editorial: Gregory Creaser

Industrial Light and Magic
Visual Effects Co-Supervisors: Christophe Hery, Habib Zargarpour
Animation and Visual Effects Producer: Christian Kubsch
Animation Supervisor: Dennis Turner
CG Staff: Brian Brecht
Chief Digital Model Supervisor: Stewart Lew
Digital Modeler: Wayne Kennedy
Digital Effects Technical Assistant: Brian Sorbo

Rhythm and Hues
Technical Director: Bill Westenhofer

Santa Barbara Studios
Digital Artist: Arthur Jeppe
Visual Effects Editor: Yon Van Kline
Systems Manager: Kathi Samec

DESIGN AND SET CONSTRUCTION
Production Designer: Philip Harrison
Art Director: Eric Orbom
Set Designers: Barry Lehrman, Dorn Merrill Kennison, Fanée Aaron, Sharon E. Alshams
Conceptual Designer: TyRuben Ellingson
Set Decorator: Dena Roth
On-Set Dresser: Carolyn Lassek
Property Master: Ron Greenwood
Storyboard Artist: P.K. MacCarthy
Title Designer: Kyle Cooper

MISCELLANEOUS
Construction Accountant: Laurie Arnow-Epstein
Assistant Accountant: Derrick Goulet
Production Assistants: Anthony J. Camaioni, Don Wygal, Jimmy Badstibner
Office Production Assistant: Christina Rollo
Set Production Assistant: Steven E. Simon
Assistant to Executive Producer: Tracy Gossett
Assistant to Producer: Robert West
Construction Medic: Ericka Bryce
Weapons Master: Harry Lu

LOCATIONS
Locations: Los Angeles, California, USA
Location Manager: Eric Hedayat
Assistant Location Manager: Gerard Averill

STUNTS
Stunt Coordinator: Charles Croughwell
Assistant Stunt Coordinator: Scott Sproule
Stunts: Jimmy N. Roberts, John Branagan, John Koyama, Kane Hodder, Roger Yuan, Simon Rhee, Spice Williams, Hubie Kerns Jr (uncredited)
Fire Stunts: William Washington
Stunt Double For Soldier: Will Leong
Utility Stunts: Scott Sproule

CASTING
Casting: Bruce H. Newberg, Mary Jo Slater

CAST
Michael Jai White (Al Simmons / Spawn)
John Leguizamo (Clown)
Martin Sheen (Jason Wynn)
Theresa Randle (Wanda Blake)
Nicol Williamson (Cogliostro)
D.B. Sweeney (Terry Fitzgerald)
Melinda Clarke (Jessica Priest)
Miko Hughes (Zack)
Sydni Beaudoin (Cyan)
Michael Papajohn (Glen)
Frank Welker (voice of The Devil Malebolgia)
Robia La Morte (XNN reporter)
John Cothran Jr, Tony Haney (African liaisons)
Caroline Gibson (news anchor)
Marc Robinson, Chris Coppola, Jay Caputo (punks)
Darryl Warren (security guard)
Mike Akrawi, Romeo Akrawi (foreign dignitaries)
Jack Coleman (doctor)
Laura Stepp (Angela)
Garrison Singer (anesthesiologist)
Todd McFarlane (bum)
Angelie Almendare (diplomat's wife - uncredited)
Anthony Genovese (bearded TV news anchor - uncredited)
Stewart Lew (clown on top of building - uncredited)

PLOT SUMMARY

Government assassin Al Simmons is double-crossed by boss Jason Wynn and is murdered. He ends up in Hell, making a deal with the devil Malebolgia to return to life. But Malebolgia dupes Simmons and returns him as a deformed monster in a sentient costume and with only a certain amount of time before he is returned to Hell as a Hellspawn. Reborn as Spawn, Simmons sets out to avenge himself...

France
Theatrical Distributor: Metropolitan Filmexport

Germany
Theatrical Distributor: Constantin Film
Video Distributor: VCL Communications GmbH
DVD Distributor: MAWA Film und Medien (13578; includes - music videos by Crystal Method and Marilyn Manson); MAWA Film und Medien (22818; includes - music videos by Crystal Method and Marilyn Manson)

Hong Kong
Theatrical Distributor: EDKO Film Ltd

Japan
Theatrical Distributor: GAGA Communications / GAGA Humax Inc

New Zealand
Theatrical Distributor: Roadshow Film Distributors (NZ) Ltd

Portugal
Theatrical Distributor: Edifilmes

Spain
Theatrical Distributor: Líder Films S.A.

UK
Theatrical Distributor: Entertainment

USA
Theatrical Distributors: New Line Cinema
Video Distributor: New Line Home Video
DVD Distributor: New Line Home Video Platinum Series (N4610; includes - commentary by Todd McFarlane, Mark A.Z. Dippé, Clint Goldman and Steve 'Spaz' Williams; making-of featurette; interview with Todd McFarlane; scene-to-storyboard comparisons; original Todd McFarlane sketches; Filter and the Crystal Method muic video); New Line Home Video (N4713; Extreme DVD four pack, with Dumb and Dumber (1994), The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) and Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997); includes - commentary by Todd McFarlane, Mark A.Z. Dippé, Clint Goldman and Steve 'Spaz' Williams; making-of featurette; interview with Todd McFarlane; scene-to-storyboard comparisons; original Todd McFarlane sketches; Filter and the Crystal Method muic video); New Line Home Video Platinum Series (N4789; Full Force DVD 4-pack with Blade (1998), Rush Hour (1998) and The Corruptor (1999); includes - audio commentaries)

Australia
Rating: M

Brazil
Rating: 12

Finland
Rating: K-16 (director's cut)

Germany
Rating: 18

Hong Kong
Rating: IIB

Mexico
Rating: A

Netherlands
Rating: 16

Norway
Rating: 15

Portugal
Rating: M/12

UK
Rating: 12; 15 (director's cut)

USA
Rating: PG-13 (for thematic elements involving the demonic underworld, violence, intense fantasy action and crude humor); R (director's cut)

1997
Catalonian International Film Festival, Sitges, Spain
Best Special Effects - winner
Best Film (Mark A.Z. Dippé) - nominated

1998
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, USA
Favorite Male Newcomer (Michael Jai White) - nominated
Favorite Supporting Actor: Horror (John Leguizamo) - nominated
Favorite Supporting Actress: Horror (Theresa Randle) - nominated

1997
August
1: Canada, USA - theatrical release
28: Hong Kong - theatrical release

September
12: Iceland - theatrical release
19: UK - theatrical release

October
10: Mexico - theatrical release
30: Germany - theatrical release

November
7: South Africa - theatrical release
14: Spain - theatrical release
18: Singapore - theatrical premiere
28: Poland - theatrical release

December
4: Singapore - theatrical release
10: France - theatrical release
11: Australia - theatrical release
18: New Zealand - theatrical release
26: Slovakia - theatrical release

1998
January
6: USA - DVD release (New Line Home Video Platinum Series (N4610))
22: Hungary - theatrical release
29: Argentina - theatrical release

February
13: Brazil - theatrical release
14: Japan - theatrical release
26: Portugal - shown at the Fantasporto Film Festival

March
11: Finland - video release

April
15: Belgium - theatrical release
24: Portugal - theatrical release

May
28: Netherlands - theatrical release

July
17: South Korea - theatrical release
30: Slovenia - theatrical release

September
25: Estonia - theatrical release

October
1: Germany - DVD release (MAWA Film und Medien (13578))

December
8: DVD release (New Line Home Video Extreme DVD (N4713))

1999
December
14: USA - DVD release (New Line Home Video Platinum Series / Full Force DVD (N4789))

Born in darkness. Sworn to justice.

From flesh to steel. From blood to blade. From man...to Spawn.

The Evil has a new enemy. The Justice has a new Weapon. And the world has a new hero.

O Justiceiro das Trevas - Portugese title

MAGAZINES

Bild & Bubbla no.155 (December 2001) pp.68-74 (Sweden)
article (Spawn & Co by David Haglund)

Film Review October 1997 p.21 (UK)
review (by Jason Caro)

Imágenes December 1997 p.118 (Spain)
review (by Ángel Sala)

Première January 1998 p.30 (France)
review (by Éric Libiot)

Premiere vol.10 no.5 (January 1997) pp.27-30 (USA)
illustrated article (Hard Way to Hell)

Premiere vol.10 no.6 (February 1997) p.100 (USA)
article (The Martini by David Strick)

Sci-Fi Entertainment vol.4 no.3 (August 1997) p.65 (USA)
article (Spawn to be Wild by Paul Di Filippo)

Studio January 1998 p.22 (France)
review (by Patrick Fabre)

Total Film October 1997 p.92 (UK)
review (by Gary Whitta)

NEWSPAPERS

A Capital, Guia TV 8 January 1999 (Portugal)
review (by Rui Brazuna)

A Capital 24 April 1998 (Portugal)
review (by Rui Brazuna)

Correio da Manhã 8 May 1998 (Portugal)
review (by Vitoriano Rosa)

Diário de Notícias, Programas 20 February 1998 (Portugal)
review (by José De Matos-Cruz)

comic into film; hell; the devil; demons; souls; superheroes; crows; clowns