LEPRECHAUN writer/director Mark Jones has just wrapped a deadly-dummy movie called TRILOQUIST in LA. Actor Robert (DRAGON FIRE) DiTillio gave Fango the scoop on the new indie, which follows in the tradition of such films as DEAD OF NIGHT, MAGIC, PIN and several memorable TWILIGHT ZONE episodes with people terrorized by puppets come to life.
“TRILOQUIST is about a wacky brother and sister whose mother was a ventriloquist,” DiTillio says. “She dies of a drug overdose and leaves the two kids on their own, except for her grotesque dummy which seems to have a life of its own. The brother never speaks, and everyone assumes that he is the voice of the dummy. Or is he? These three misfits go on a road trip that results in a lot of gory violence and death. The sister is totally insane. I thought it was a pretty good script with some nice surprises. It’s a little vague as to whether or not something supernatural is happening, or if it’s all just crazy slasher/killers running around. But I like that.”
Actor Rocky Marquette plays the silent brother, Norbert. TRILOQUIST completes Marquette’s recent terror trifecta, the young actor having recently appeared in SHALLOW GROUND (pictured) and Tobe Hooper’s MORTUARY. Paydin LoPachin, a 17-year-old ingenue, essays the kooky sister Angelina. LoPachin also appears in director David (SHARK ATTACK 2) Worth’s upcoming chiller HOUSE AT THE END OF THE DRIVE, from executive producer Paul (AMITYVILLE HORROR) Mason, alongside Lance Henriksen (see website here). The gruff Bruce (HILL STREET BLUES) Weitz performs the voice of the dummy. “I have a bit as Detective Evans, who is one of the first people to realize that Angelina is nuts,” adds DiTillio, who also completed parts in director Jeff (SEXBOMB) Broadstreet’s DR. RAGE and a top-secret zombie film. “I only have one scene in TRILOQUIST, but I’m one of the very few people who doesn’t get killed!”
Besides launching the LEPRECHAUN franchise, Jones also wrote and directed the horror take on RUMPLELSTILTSKIN. Watch for more details on TRILOQUIST in the weeks ahead.
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