Tremors (franchise)

Tremors

Movie poster from the first film
Directed by S.S. Wilson(4)
Ron Underwood(1)
S.S. Wilson(2)
Brent Maddock(3)
Don Michael Paul(5)
Produced by Gale Anne Hurd(1)
Brent Maddock(1)
S. S. Wilson(1,3)
Christopher DeFaria(2)
Ron Underwood(2)
Nancy Roberts(2,3-4)
Ogden Gavanski(5)
Production
company
Distributed by Universal Pictures

The Tremors franchise is a monster series centering on the vicious attacks of subterranean worm-like creatures known as graboids. It began in 1990 with the successful release of Tremors, which spawned four direct-to-video films; two sequels, Tremors 2: Aftershocks and Tremors 3: Back to Perfection, a prequel, Tremors 4: The Legend Begins and an upcoming follow-up, Tremors 5: Bloodline.

In addition to the film series, Tremors: The Series, a television series that premiered on the SciFi Channel, was produced, only to be cancelled after 13 episodes.

Films

Tremors (1990)

Main article: Tremors (film)

Tremors is a 1990 American monster film directed by Ron Underwood, written by Brent Maddock, S. S. Wilson and Underwood, and starring Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter, Michael Gross and Reba McEntire. It was distributed by Universal Studios.[1]

Tremors 2: Aftershocks (1996)

Tremors 2: Aftershocks is a 1996 action-horror-sequel to Tremors, in which the character of Earl Bassett, returning from the first movie, is hired to deal with a subterranean "Graboid" infestation at a Mexican oilfield. It was directed by S.S. Wilson, and stars Fred Ward, Christopher Gartin, Michael Gross and Helen Shaver.

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection (2001)

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection is a 2001 comedic monster film, the third in the "Tremors" series featuring the subterranean worm-creatures dubbed "Graboids". It was directed by Brent Maddock and stars Michael Gross. Like the second movie, the film was not released in theaters.

Tremors 4: The Legend Begins (2004)

Tremors 4: The Legend Begins is a 2004 straight to video movie. It is the fourth film in the "Tremors" series of monster films. It is a prequel to the earlier movies and featured Michael Gross as the ancestor to his original character in the first Tremors film.

Tremors 5: Bloodline (2015)

Main article: Tremors 5: Bloodline

Tremors 5 is currently in production in South Africa, featuring a returning Michael Gross and new co-star Jamie Kennedy. It also stars Natalie Becker. The film will be released on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital HD in 2015.[2] Though it is based on a script written by Brent Maddock and S.S. Wilson in 2004, the original creators declined to be involved due to a lack of creative control over the project.[3]

Television

Tremors: The Series (2003)

Main article: Tremors (TV series)

"Tremors: The Series" is a television spin-off of the "Tremors" film franchise which originally ran on the Sci-Fi Channel. Only 1 season and 13 episodes were aired (out of order) before being cancelled.

Tremors: The Lost Monsters (Concept)

During the production of Tremors 2: Aftershocks, "Tremors" was being developed as a TV series by Universal and Stampede Entertainment. According to Stampede Entertainment "The series premise was that, after their success in fighting the Graboids, Val and Earl would be sought out by the readers of tabloid newspapers, believers in UFO’s, etc. to battle other little-known creatures." [4] However, it was never produced.

Games

Dirt Dragons (2004)

Main article: Dirt Dragons

Dirt Dragons is a flash computer game based on the 2004 film Tremors 4: The Legend Begins.

Tremors: The Game (Cancelled)

Main article: Tremors: The Game

The Tremors video game was based on the Tremors film franchise. The game was announced in August 2002 by Rock Solid Studios AB. However, the game was cancelled before production was finished.

Cast

Character Films Television
Tremors 4:
The Legend Begins
(2004)		 Tremors
(1990)		 Tremors 2:
Aftershocks
(1996)		 Tremors 3:
Back to Perfection
(2001)		 Tremors 5:
Bloodline
(2015)		 Tremors:
The Series
(2003)
Hiram Gummer Michael Gross
Christine Lord Sara Botsford
Black Hand Kelly Billy Drago
Juan Pedilla Brent Roam
Tecopa August Schellenberg
Old Fred J.E. Freeman
Pyong Lien Chang Ming Lo
Lu Wan Chang Lydia Look
Fu Yien Chang Sam Ly
Brick Walters Matthew Seth Wilson
Big Horse Johnson John Dixon
Stony Walters Dan Lemieux
Soggy Don Ruffin
Valentine McKee Kevin Bacon Mentioned only
Rhonda LeBeck Finn Carter Mentioned only Mentioned only
Burt Gummer Michael Gross
Earl Besset Fred Ward Mentioned only
Heather Gummer Reba McEntire Mentioned only
Melvin Plugg Robert Jayne Robert Jayne Robert Jayne
Nancy Sterngood Charlotte Stewart Charlotte Stewart Marcia Strassman
Miguel Tony Genaro Tony Genaro
Mindy Sterngood Ariana Richards Ariana Richards Tinsley Grimes
Nestor Cunningham Richard Marcus
Walter Chang Victor Wong Mentioned only
Edgar Deems Sunshine Parker
Old Fred Michael Dan Wagner
Jim Wallace Conrad Bachmann
Megan Wallace Bibi Besch
Howard John Goodwin
Carmine John Pappas
Grady Hoover Christopher Gartin Mentioned only
Kate 'White' Riley Helen Shaver
Señor Carlos Ortega Marcelo Tubert
Julio Marco A. Hernandez
Pedro José Ramón Rosario
Jack Sawyer Shawn Christian
Jodi Chang Susan Chuang Lela Lee
Dr. Andrew Merliss Barry Livingston
Agent Charlie Rusk John Pappas
Buford Billy Rieck
Travis Welker[5] Jamie Kennedy
Lucia Natalie Becker
Basson Lawrence Joffe
Ndebele Chieftan Ernest Ndhlovu
Dr. Michael Swan Emmanuel Castis
Riley Zak Hendrikz
Tyler Reed Victor Browne
Rosalita Sanchez Gladys Jimenez
W.D. Twitchell Dean Norris
Larry Norvel J.D. Walsh
Cletus Poffenberger Christopher Lloyd
Harlowe Winnemucca Branscombe Richmond
Dr. Casey Matthews Sarah Rafferty
Roger Garrett Richard Biggs
Frank Nicholas Turturro

Reception

Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA Awards

Award Film
Tremors Tremors 2:
Aftershocks		 Tremors 3:
Back to Perfection		 Tremors 4:
The Legend Begins
Best Science Fiction Film Nomination
Best Special Effects Nomination
Best Home Video Release Nomination
Best Supporting Actress - Finn Carter Nomination
Best Supporting Actress - Reba McEntire Nomination

Young Artist Awards

Award Film
Tremors Tremors 2:
Aftershocks		 Tremors 3:
Back to Perfection		 Tremors 4:
The Legend Begins
Best Young Actress Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Ariana Richards Nomination

DVD Exclusive Awards

Award Film
Tremors Tremors 2:
Aftershocks		 Tremors 3:
Back to Perfection		 Tremors 4:
The Legend Begins
Best Actor - Michael Gross Won
Best Visual Effects - Linda Drake Nomination
Best Actress (in a DVD Premiere Movie) - Sara Botsford Nomination

Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA Awards

Award Film
Tremors Tremors 2:
Aftershocks		 Tremors 3:
Back to Perfection		 Tremors 4:
The Legend Begins
Best Sound Editing - Direct to Video Nomination

Tremors exhibit at Lone Pine

While only the first film was filmed in Lone Pine, California, there is an exhibit dedicated to Tremors in the Lone Pine Film History Museum. The exhibit contains film props such as the graboid head use to burst through the ground, a miniature of Chang's Market used in Tremors 4: The Legend Begins, and a mount of a shrieker used in Tremors II: Aftershocks.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Vincent Canby (1990-01-19). "Underground Creatures and Dread Events". The New York Times.
  2. ↑ Movies News Desk. "Sci-fi Comedy Adventure TREMORS 5 Coming to DVD & Digital HD in 2016". broadwayworld.com.
  3. ↑ "The Ultimate Tremors FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions". stampede-entertainment.com.
  4. ↑ "TREMORS 2: Aftershocks - The Lost Monsters!". stampede-entertainment.com.
  5. ↑ Movies News Desk. "Sci-fi Comedy Adventure TREMORS 5 Coming to DVD & Digital HD in 2016". broadwayworld.com.
  6. ↑ Robert Sgman. "Tremors & Sci-Fi Exhibit". lonepinefilmhistorymuseum.org.