Gamers will soon return to face the original horror icon, Pinhead. Doug Bradley, the actor who first portrayed Pinhead in Clive Barker’s Hellraiser franchise, is reprising his role for an upcoming video game. While Bradley has said he might return as Pinhead in live-action under certain conditions, he is now officially back as the character in a new game. Saber Interactive and Boss Team Games have released both a standard and a Red Band trailer for Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival.
This single-player game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC.
Bradley’s return marks the first time in almost 20 years that he has played Pinhead. The game is a story-driven action survival horror experience where players confront the infamous Hell Priest. The original actor lends his voice to Pinhead. Players take on the role of Aidan, who must unlock the powers of a mysterious golden puzzle box called the Genesis Configuration. Aidan’s goal is to save his girlfriend from Pinhead’s grasp. Players will use the box’s dark powers to survive their deal with Pinhead and fight against a cult that worships the Cenobites.
Other actors have played Pinhead over the years. Jamie Clayton, the first woman to play the role, took on the character in the 2022 Hellraiser film, which may get a sequel. However, Doug Bradley remains the most recognized Pinhead for many fans after starring as the character in the first eight films.
Clive Barker, the creator of Hellraiser, is also involved in the new game’s development. He shared a statement about the project: “Working on the first true Hellraiser game has been a venture deep into the recesses of my darkest imaginings. The dedication that Saber and Boss Team Games have shown is nothing short of remarkable. They’ve immersed themselves in the Hellraiser universe, capturing its essence—the seductive pull of suffering, the beauty within the grotesque—and forged a narrative that invites players to step beyond the threshold. I’m eager for both the curious and the damned to experience this new chapter in the Hellraiser mythos, where every moment balances on the brink of nightmare and revelation.”
Fans will also have the chance to purchase a collector’s edition of the game that includes a LED-lit puzzle box. With Clive Barker’s involvement and Doug Bradley’s return as Pinhead, Hellraiser: Revival is shaping up to be a notable addition to the franchise’s dark legacy.
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James Quinn
Best described as a pop culture contrarian, notorious for tossing grenades into fandom echo chambers while mixing sharp skepticism with an unhealthy dose of snark. When not airing my grievances about "shills" in the entertainment media, I'm dissecting every whiff of Hollywood hype with all the subtlety of Marc malkin at a press junket.
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