Unexplained deaths, mysterious accidents and spooky incidents - sounds like your average Hollywood horror film, right? But no, these sinister goings-on happened behind the camera rather than in front of it on these films.
Sinister, mere coincidence or just pure hokum? Decide for yourselves as we look at 6 (66) supposedly cursed films.
‘Poltergeist’
According to those working on the film, the ‘swimming pool full of skeletons’ scene actually had real corpses instead of fake ones (apparently it was to create real life tension for the actors).
Following this, a series of incidents - several of them tragic - involving those who worked on the production has led many to label ‘Poltergeist’ the most cursed franchise of all time.
Flickering lights on set and objects reportedly moving around by themselves were just for starters. 22-year-old actress Dominique Dunne was murdered by her boyfriend shortly after the film’s release, while 12-year-old Heather O’Rourke died of septic shock while filming the third ‘Poltergeist’ movie. Two other actors from the series also died around that time – which equals four actors in the franchise dying within six years of each other.
‘Superman’
The curse of ‘Superman’ is said to read as thus: “If you’re playing the strongest man on Earth, you will die or end up in the weakest position possible.”
Christopher Reeve was of course paralysed after a horse riding accident, and died nine years later from heart failure. George Reeves played the costumed superhero in the ‘50s TV series, but when his career stalled he shot himself dead.
Lee Quigley, who played an infant Superman in the 1978 movie, died from inhaling solvents when he was 14.
While Brandon Routh has survived the curse, it seems his career has also stalled since ‘Superman Returns’. (See also Dean Cain). And it’s not just those who play Superman that are said to he have been struck by the curse – Margot Kidder, Richard Pryor, stuntmen and injured riders on the ‘Superman: Ride of Steel’ theme park ride are also said to be victims of the hex.
No wonder Ashton Kutcher refused to play Superman because of the supposed curse.
‘The Exorcist’
Of all the life lessons you should learn, one essential one would be not to annoy the devil. Case in point – the ‘Exorcist’ movie.
Some family members of the actors died during the film's production, as did several crew members. Jack McGowen, who had filmed a small part in the movie, also died from a heart attack shortly after wrapping on the film. And there is also the humdinger that a set caught fire overnight when there was no one there. Other creepy on-set accidents spooked those who worked on the film so much that a real life priest performed a blessing on the set.
‘The Omen’
A series of accidents plagued the shoot of the classic 1976 horror. One incident featured lions attacking a guard a day after the film crew visited the zoo.
Actor Gregory Peck was flying to London when his plane was hit by lightning. Eight hours later, a plane carrying the screenwriter, David Seltzer, was also hit by lightning. A private jet, which was meant to carry some of the crew members, set off without them after the airline double booked. It was a lucky escape for the film crew, as the jet ended up crashing onto a road – killing all on board.
A stuntman who worked on the film performed an everyday stunt on another movie, but was hospitalised after he seemingly misjudged the jump. He later claimed he felt he had been pushed.
The most notorious incident, however, saw a special effects worker being involved in a car accident in Holland, which saw his female passenger beheaded.
As the story goes, after stumbling out of the wreckage, he saw a road sign, which read ‘Ommen, 66.6 km’.
‘Atuk’
Never heard of this comedy, which features an Eskimo trying to live in New York? That’s because it never got made, and with good reason.
The script was written in the ‘70s with one performer in mind – John Belushi. The funny man was preparing for the role when he tragically died from a drug overdose.
The role was then handed to Sam Kinison a few years later. After working on the film for half a day, Kinison demanded changes to the script and the movie was put on hold. He died two years later in a car crash.
John Candy was next in line for the part, and was in the process of reading the script when he died of a heart attack.
Undeterred, the filmmakers then offered the part to Chris Farley. Not only was Farley interested, but he also handed the script to Phil Hartman in the hope he would also work on the film with him. Both died soon after.
‘The Dark Knight’
It’s only been out for two years, but it’s already been named as another film that has been plagued by a curse.
There is of course the death of Heath Ledger from an accidental overdose, while Christian Bale was involved in several high-profile incidents – one involving his infamous ‘Terminator Salvation’ rant and the other seeing him arrested before the film’s premiere after a row with his mother and sister.
When Morgan Freeman was involved in a serious car accident, it led to many media outlets claiming there was a hex surrounding the movie.
Throw in the fact that a crew member died during one of the film’s action sequences, and we can speculate that this caped crusader may indeed be cursed.
