‘Crust’: Sean Whalen’s Directorial Debut Gets Release Date From Anchor Bay Entertainment [Exclusive]
Sean Whalen is no stranger to the horror genre, cutting his teeth as an actor in iconic films such as The People Under The Stairs, Tammy and the T-Rex, and even Twister. Now, after decades of acting experience under his belt, the actor is making his directorial debut with the horror-comedy Crust, a very unique creature feature involving a pile of socks. Not only is this Whalen’s feature film debut, but this is also the first film to be released by the newly revived Anchor Bay Entertainment. We’re excited to share the film’s release date, as well as an exclusive look at the poster!
Now, this isn’t your typical creature feature. Shot entirely in black and white, with color flourishes for effect, this is a tale about love, murder, and dirty socks! If you’re looking for a comparison, Whalen describes it as a take on The Little Shop Of Horrors (the original, not the musical) mixed with Willard, but at a laundromat and shot in black and white. This particular brand of future cult classic is set to hit theaters on Friday, September 13, 2024, which is an auspicious day indeed.
In the film,
Vegas Winters (Sean Whalen) is a depressed washed-up child actor who fled Tinseltown and owns and lives in a rundown laundromat. But, the despondent man’s tears of anguish turn a pile of socks into a loving monster named Crust, who protects Vegas and begins to eliminate his enemies.
Check out our exclusive first look at the poster!
This story has been in the works for almost 15 years, starting as a germ of an idea over lunch, almost as a joke as Whalen was trying to explain how to make a horror movie.
“I was having lunch with some people who were realizing that horrors the thing that’s happening. And they’re like, ‘Oh, it’s just so expensive with all the special effects and stuff,'” said Whalen. “And I go, ‘You guys are overthinking it. Just put one location in a laundromat, and then the leftover socks turn into a sock monster.’ And that’s all I said. And this was 15 years ago.”
Flash forward and after realizing the time was right to finally make his own film, Whalen decided to develop the idea he had all those years ago at lunch into Crust. And now, it’s found its home with Anchor Bay Entertainment!
“[Anchor Bay] is the only [distributor] I actually had a meeting with. The other ones were like phone discussions or emails and stuff, but I just loved everything they were saying,” Whalen exclusively told Dread Central. “And they said, we’re looking for the cult films of the future. And I’ve had direct experience with it because People Under the Stairs is a cult movie.”
When Anchor Bay Entertainment acquired Crust at EFM, co-founder Thomas Zambeck said, “As someone who grew up watching Sean on screen, I am thrilled to be in business with him. The fact that it’s on a witty and clever film like this—one that displays such a mastery of tone—makes it so much sweeter.”
Daniel Roebuck (Rob Zombie’s The Munsters), Rebekah Kennedy (Two Witches), Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), and Ricky Dean Logan (Back To The Future II and III) also star in Crust with Alan Ruck and Shawntay Dalon (Detroiters).
Whalen co-wrote the script with Jim Wald. Felissa Rose (Stream), Daniel John Kearney (Dark Circles), and Chris Sergi (I’m Just Fu*king With You) served as producers on the film.
Crust is set to hit theaters on September 13, 2024.
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