Bruce Campbell’s 38-Year-Old Cult Horror Getting a ‘Resurrection’

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I’m really excited to hear that a new Maniac Cop movie is finally happening! It’s been a long time coming, and from what I understand, they’re not just making a sequel – they’re really trying to recapture the spirit of the original film and bring it back to life. It feels like a true revival of a classic!

Director Nicolas Winding Refn, known for films like Drive and The Neon Demon, will helm a new Maniac Cop movie. Mubi is fully funding the project and plans a wide release in theaters. Goodfellas is co-producing, and Refn is producing through his byNWR Originals company. Christina Erritzøe and Kimberly Willming from byNWR, along with Vincent Maraval of Goodfellas, will serve as executive producers. Filming is scheduled to begin in Los Angeles in January 2027.

Maniac Cop Gets Reimagined by Nicolas Winding Refn

I’ve always been drawn to this idea,” Refn explained. “Especially now, with everything happening in the world, the imagery of Maniac Cop is particularly striking. I’ve been developing this project quietly, waiting for the right moment. And now it’s here. It’s time to share a completely new take on the story—one where there are no guarantees, no safety, just chaos…

According to Mubi’s founder and CEO, Efe Cakarel, the new take on Maniac Cop isn’t a remake, but a revival. He believes director Nicolas Windling Refn is uniquely suited to bring this classic film back to life, praising his distinctive style and ability to create something truly unforgettable. Mubi is thrilled to be working with him on what promises to be a striking and original film.

Maraval explained that they’ve known Nicolas for years and believe he’s the perfect person to reimagine this classic story. He emphasized this isn’t just a trip down memory lane, but a completely fresh and terrifying experience. With Mubi’s strong support, Maniac Cop has the potential to become a major international genre film that both distributors and viewers will be eager to see.

Maniac Cop Became a Cult Classic and Spawned a Franchise

The original Maniac Cop, released in 1988, was directed by William Lustig and written by Larry Cohen. It features Robert Z’Dar as a vengeful, corrupt police officer who comes back to life to punish those who harmed him. The film also stars horror legend Tom Atkins, along with Laurene Landon and Richard Roundtree. Interestingly, Sam Raimi, the director of Evil Dead and a friend of Atkins, makes a cameo appearance as a news reporter.

Although critics had mixed reactions to Maniac Cop, it became a favorite among horror fans, who often consider it a hidden gem of the 1980s. The film’s popularity led to two sequels: Maniac Cop 2 (1990) and Maniac Cop III: Badge of Silence (1993). Bruce Campbell, Richard Z’Dar, and Laurel Landon all returned for Maniac Cop 2, with Z’Dar continuing his role as the villain in the third film as well.

A release date has not yet been set for the new Maniac Cop “resurrection.”

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2026-05-23 20:13