Clive Barker Files Lawsuit to Regain Rights to Hellraiser Franchise

Clive Barker is looking to regain the rights to the Hellraiser franchise by using a legal tactic popularized by other horror franchises. As Joblo reports, Barker has filed a lawsuit to terminate the agreement that transferred his rights in 1986.

The deal is similar to the process used by Wes Craven’s estate to regain the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise rights. Actor/entertainment lawyer Larry Zerner shared a filing by Barker to try and regain his rights, and if a judge rules in his favor it means that he will regain the rights in December 19th, 2021.

It should be noted that as of now there are two separate Hellraiser films in the works, neither of which Barker is involved in. Spyglass Media is producing a reboot of the franchise to be directed by David Bruckner. David Gordon Green has also been attached to direct a Hellraiser series for HBO which will build off the past mythology of the franchise.

If Barker regains the franchise, HBO would need to make a deal with him to produce other seasons of the show and Spyglass would have to do the same for additional films. Both projects would have to get off the ground by December 19th, 2021 to continue (again, assuming Barker gets the rights back).

Interesting note: Barker's termination (if effective) would not take place until December 19, 2021. If the producers can get a new movie out before then, they would be legally in the clear. Just nothing new after that date.

— Larry Zerner (@Zernerlaw) June 15, 2020