EXCLUSIVE: Veteran Philippines studio Regal Entertainment is attending ACFM to launch the latest installment in its long-running Shake, Rattle & Roll horror anthology franchise, which has been rebooted to appeal to a new generation of cinema-goers.
Currently in production, Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins has already been selected as one of eight official entries for the Philippines’ Metro Manila Film Festival in December – the biggest showcase for mainstream domestic productions throughout the year. The three anthology segments are being directed by Shugo Praico, Joey De Guzman and Ian Loreños.
For the first time in the franchise’s history, the three stories will be interconnected and take place in different time periods: the Spanish colonial era of the 1700s; the present day, and the future (2050).
“We brought in a team of writers to reinvent the franchise to make it fresh for younger audiences while fulfilling the expectations of longtime fans,” explains Regal Entertainment Executive Vice President Keith Monteverde.
The cast will feature stars from three different generations – Janice de Belen and Manilyn Reynes, who starred in early installments of the franchise; Richard Guttierrez, Ivana Alawi and Loisa Andalio, representing the millennial generation; and rising talents Dustin Yu, Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Fyang Smith and JM Ibarra.
First launched in 1984, Shake, Rattle & Roll is the Philippines’ longest-running franchise. Known for mixing horror with comedy elements, it has long been a staple of the country’s major holiday box office seasons. Each previous installment has featured three standalone stories. Many Philippines stars including Kathryn Bernardo, Kim Chiu and Marica Reyes got their first break in the films.
Evil Origins, which marks the 17th entry in the franchise, is one of a slate of new films from Regal, some of which are being developed for international markets, while others will continue to have a more domestic focus. Keith Monteverde is also in Busan to talk to potential international co-producers for the new slate.
Having recently returned to the Philippines from a legal career in the U.S., Keith represents the third generation of the family that owns Regal Entertainment, the Philippines’ oldest surviving studio, founded in the 1960s by late legendary producer Lily Yu Monteverde.
“We’re building stories that speak to today’s audiences while honoring the legacy that Regal has cultivated for decades,” says Roselle Monteverde, who now leads the studio as CEO with Keith as Executive Vice President. “Whether it’s horror, romance or social drama, our goal is to keep pushing the boundaries of Filipino storytelling.”
“We’re also investing in new formats and fresh voices,” adds Keith Monteverde. “The next wave of Regal titles will reflect a more global sensibility – without losing the emotional core that makes our stories resonate.”
The studio had four theatrical releases in 2024 – including psychological horror Untold, which was released in North America, Singapore and Hong Kong, and romantic sci-fi drama My Future You, which premiered at last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival and launched new stars Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin. Netflix has acquired worldwide rights to all four films.
