Summary
- The Toxic Avenger reboot with Peter Dinklage faces an uncertain wide release date.
- Dinklage praises director Macon Blair and hopes fans will get to see the film soon.
- Despite the release delay, positive reactions and a strong R-rating could boost its success.
The Toxic Avenger’s wide release gets an uncertain update from star Peter Dinklage. Directed by Macon Blair, the upcoming film follows janitor Winston Gooze (Dinklage), who becomes the eponymous hero after inadvertently being exposed to a harmful substance. Along with Dinklage, the cast of The Toxic Avenger includes Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige, Julia Davis, Elijah Wood, Kevin Bacon, and more. A reboot of the 1984 original, which spawned a loyal fanbase, The Toxic Avenger had its film festival premiere in 2023, but has not been made available to general moviegoers yet.
In a recent interview with ComicBook.com, Dinklage revealed uncertainty about The Toxic Avenger’s wide release. However, after noting the movie’s success at Fantastic Fest, he went on to praise Blair and expressed a desire for viewers to actually be able to watch it. Read more of Dinklage’s comments below:
No, I’m not a producer on it. I don’t know. I do want it to get out there into the world because it was a really big hit at Fantastic Fest in Austin, and Macon Blair, the writer/director who is also in The Thicket … He’s incredible. He’s one of my favorite people and favorite artists. So hopefully it will have its day in the toxic sun.
What The Release Update Means For The Toxic Avenger
Could The Reboot Still Hit Theaters?
While not uncommon for movies that debut at festivals to have delayed wide releases, it is strange that The Toxic Avenger does not have a potential date, and that even Dinklage is uncertain, despite its teaser trailer releasing nearly a year ago. Other films, including Pet Sematary: Bloodlines and Totally Killer, that premiered at the 2023 Fantastic Fest were put on streaming services soon thereafter. Based on the success of the original Toxic Avenger though, and the popularity of horror comedies, the reboot could still perform well in theaters, especially with a recognizable cast.
The movie garnered positive reactions out of the festival, as Dinklage mentioned, and currently holds a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. That, along with The Toxic Avenger’s R-rating and some glimpses of gory sequences, will likely benefit the film, should it eye a theatrical release. There are many memorable moments the reboot can replicate, including the character’s transformation, but it will also feature new story elements and potential altercations for Dinklage’s Winston Gooze to handle.
For comparison, the original The Toxic Avenger has a 71% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Although the latest release update spells hesitation, Dinklage’s eagerness for audiences to see The Toxic Avenger is encouraging. It will be interesting to find out what the wide release looks like for this movie, and if it ends up in theaters. Fans of the 1984 original and/or the new cast will still have a lot to look forward to when The Toxic Avenger does eventually reach them.
Source: ComicBook.com
