The long-gestating reimagining of Troma Entertainment’s 1984 cult classic “The Toxic Avenger” finally has its first teaser! This film comes courtesy of writer/director Macon Blair (“I Don’t Feel At Home in This World Anymore”) and Legendary Entertainment. And it looks like they are bringing all the R-rated mayhem we would expect from a project like this.
The film centers on Winston Gooze (Peter Dinklage), a downtrodden janitor who, after falling into a vat of toxic waste, becomes none other than The Toxic Avenger. Winston, in keeping with the original film’s environmental themes, goes up against the evil forces of greed and corruption to save his son, his friends, and his community.
“Even as this story exists on its own terms, the spirit undoubtedly remains connected to the original,” the official synopsis states.
Considering a plot point is Toxie going after corporate overlord Bob Garbinger (Kevin Bacon) we wouldn’t be surprised to find anti-capitalist messaging either. No one ever accused the original film’s writer/director, Lloyd Kaufman, of being a fan of capitalism or censorship. [Author’s note: I’ve literally watched him go after a sponsor for a Troma event because the company censored their own ad.]
The first trailer shows a montage of profanity-laden, VHS-quality news clips talking about “The Toxic Avenger.” Before showing the extremist group, the Nasty Lads, holding hostages at a Miss Meat Luchatorium. Only to be stopped by our hero in a rain of cranage and bloodshed.
While we still only see Toxie in silhouette, a conscious choice by Blair, this teaser certainly gives off a distinctively Troma energy. We mean, come on, it has already been rated R for “Strong violence and gore, language throughout, sexual references and brief graphic nudity.” They know what people came here to see.
Blair’s “The Toxic Avenger” also stars Elijah Wood, Julia Davis, Taylour Paige, and Jacob Tremblay.
There is still no set release date just yet, but we’ll keep you posted on updates as they become available. You can check out the teaser below:
