Hannibal Creator Bryan Fuller’s First Film is a Horror Movie for Everyone
However, Fuller’s first feature film, Dust Bunny, is not your typical horror movie. It’s a family-friendly scare-fest that’s inspired by classics like Gremlins and Ghostbusters.
Meanwhile, the film follows a young girl named Aurora who hires a hitman to kill the monster under her bed. It’s a story that’s both playful and creepy, with a sense of humor that’s reminiscent of the ’80s.
Consequently, the film has an R-rating, but it’s not because of nudity or strong language. It’s because of the violence, which Fuller describes as “cartoon violence.” Despite this, he’s holding out hope that the film can reach its intended audience – little girls who can experience it with their parents’ discretion.
The Inspiration Behind Dust Bunny
Therefore, Fuller’s goal was to create a film that’s accessible to both kids and adults. He drew inspiration from his own childhood, where he had a tricky home life and a violent father. This informed certain aspects of the storytelling, particularly Aurora’s survival and coping mechanisms.
Moreover, Fuller wanted to capture the classic ’80s tone of films like Gremlins. He notes that even when they had horror elements, many of the films from that era had a levity to them and an accessibility that wasn’t oppressive in tone.
The Making of Dust Bunny
In addition, Fuller worked closely with artist Jon Wayshak to design the creature, which is a big fluffy thing that’s both scary and cute. The creature’s design had to balance being both lovable and creepy, so it could come from a child’s imagination.
Consequently, the creature is mostly out of sight early on, much like the shark in Jaws. Its true nature is also unclear for much of the film, leaving the audience wondering if it’s real or just a product of Aurora’s imagination.
The Cast and Crew
Meanwhile, Fuller knew that he wanted Hannibal collaborator Mads Mikkelsen as the adult lead. He describes Mikkelsen as “a muse, a partner, a brother, a champion.” Mikkelsen was then brought into the casting process for his costar, Sophie Sloan, who plays the role of Aurora.
Therefore, Fuller wanted to make sure that Mikkelsen saw something in Sloan, as he’s worked with child actors before. The two actors have a fun dynamic, with Mikkelsen’s deadpan seriousness providing a great counterpoint to Sloan’s youthful determination.
The Release of Dust Bunny
However, despite the R-rating, Fuller is still holding out hope that Dust Bunny can reach its intended audience. The film is in theaters on December 12th, and Fuller would love for little girls to experience it with their parents’ discretion.
Consequently, the film’s release is a chance for audiences to experience a classic ’80s-style horror movie that’s family-friendly and accessible to both kids and adults.
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