Don Coscarelli: Is it time for a Bubba Ho-Tep sequel?

Don Coscarelli, the veteran filmmaker and author of True Indie is touring the U.S. to promote his book and to host screenings of some of his popular films like Bubba Ho-Tep. Could the time be right to launch that sequel to the beloved cult classic film?

In Bubba We Trust

Don Coscarelli is beloved by horror fans around the world. Best known for his cult classics Phantasm and Bubba Ho-Tep, the director now adds author to his impressive resume. While promoting his book, True Indie, Coscarelli sat down with Movie Web to discuss his long-standing career as a filmmaker.

Bubba Ho-Tep, an endearingly quirky venture about Elvis Presley and John F. Kennedy fighting a soul-sucking Egyptian mummy is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Starring iconic character actor, Bruce Campbell and seasoned thespian Ossie Davis, this film while classified as horror is much more than that.

It is a beautifully executed and wonderfully written masterpiece about aging in a youth obsessed culture and the struggle to remain relevant. All of this is conveyed through the eyes of Elvis Presley. The King, no longer vital has been relegated to spending his days in a rest home in East Texas essentially waiting to die.

All of that changes when he befriends another patient who fancies himself to be JFK. Through their bond and their mutual foe, the mummy, they get their respective mojos back and find their purposes in life again.

This indie treasure is still beloved by audiences the world over and every time Coscarelli or Campbell make appearances invariably fans will question them as to whether or not Bubba Ho-Tep will ever rise again to fight another monster.

At Beyond Fest last month, the director was overwhelmed by the response of the fans stating:

"“It is so gratifying that not only did audiences “get” the film at the time of release, but it now seems to have stood the test of time. Ossie Davis, Bruce Campbell, Ella Joyce and the rest of the cast are just superb in the film.”"

Bubba Nosferatu, Anyone?

His answer made interviewer Evan Jacobs of Movie Web ask him about the possibility of Bubba Nosferatu seeing the light of day. When Bruce Campbell passed on the sequel after reaching an impasse on the proposed script, Ron Perlman was being pursued to play Elvis along with Paul Giamatti as Colonel Parker.

Alas, that attempt never came to fruition either. So, does Coscarelli feel that the time is right to test the waters again for a sequel?

Coscarelli replied:

"“Bruce Campbell has stated very clearly that his days of playing Elvis are over. And I think now that Bubba fans have heard this directly and publicly from Bruce that they accept it as final. Yet many folks (including you) continue to ask about a sequel. That indicates there’s still a lot of interest. So, the challenge is how to design the role for a new, and probably much younger actor in the role. Challenges always energize me.”"

A younger actor? That is definitely an intriguing notion. While it is sad that Bruce has retired Elvis, maybe it is time to go in a different direction.

Coscarelli would definitely need an actor who is up for the challenge, preferably one who knows how to “become” the character. Maybe someone who has played the King before. Perhaps, Michael Shannon?

Only time will tell if Elvis will ever light up the silver screen again. Until then, Don Coscarelli knows that his fans will be waiting and hoping.

Would you like to see a Bubba Ho-Tep sequel? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below. We want to hear from you.