Adam Green is a filmmaker, screenwriter, and horror icon best known for creating the Hatchet franchise and directing cult favorites like Frozen, Digging Up the Marrow, Spiral, Chillerama, and more. He is the co-host of The Movie Crypt podcast and founder of ArieScope Pictures.

In this episode, Adam opens up about the brutal reality of filmmaking — from nearly walking away during the pandemic and the collapse of his dream project, Killer Pizza, to streaming platforms dismantling independent film.

He shares personal stories of building a cult audience, the real reason Scary Sleepover disappeared from YouTube, and the constant battle to keep creative control. We also discuss the aftermath of the strike, censorship by the MPAA, and the madness of navigating Hollywood as an indie horror director.

We talk origins of Hatchet, casting horror legends, the convention circuit, the return of slashers, and the death of physical media.

Adam reflects on directing a younger cast in his upcoming film The Ascent, and shares untold stories about working with Tony Todd, Felissa Rose, Sid Haig, and the chaos of some of his most iconic films.

Also covered: Yorkiethon 2025, the potential return of Scary Sleepover, social media controversies, Terrifier, cancel culture, and how horror has evolved in the age of streaming.

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Adam Green: https://www.instagram.com/adam_fn_green

YORKIETHON JULY 25-27, 2025: https://www.ariescope.com

The Movie Crypt Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/TheMovieCrypt

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00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:30 - The Movie Crypt Podcast, Wanting to Quit, Killer Pizza, Streaming vs. Physical Media, Pandemic Aftermath

00:13:35 - The Reality of Filmmaking, Filming & Touring Hatchet and Frozen, Dealing With Critics

00:20:47 - Holliston, Finding DP Will Barrett, First Feature Film, and Lessons In Actually Finishing What You Start

00:29:32 - Writing, Working with Comedy, 48 Hour Live Stream, ArieScope's YouTube Channel - Halloween Shorts and Scary Sleepover

00:39:48 - The Selection of Adam's Casts, Directing Performances, Working With a New Cast on 'Ascent', Being the "Old Guy" On Set

00:53:44 - Casting Horror Icons, The Death and The Reviving of Slashers, Remakes & Reboots, Keeping Screenplays Private

01:03:45 - Relinquishing Creative Control, Censorship, Trailers Spoiling the Film, Writing 'I, Survivor,' Writing Real Names Into Scripts

01:15:11 - Vivid Detail in Writing, Digging Up The Marrow, Headaches of Distribution, Fan Letters and Theories

01:47:16 - Using Practical FX, Final Destination, Bloodlines, Using Fears for Plots

01:58:47 - Recasting Marybeth in Hatchet, Good Looking Casts, Filming Overseas in Malta, Grateful To Be a Filmmaker

02:05:57 - The Strike and Pandemic's Effect on Hollywood, Damien Leone Twitter Controversy, Cancel Culture, and Social Media

02:23:09 - Meeting Fans at Conventions, Tattoos, Being Lucky to Exist in Horror Culture, Bringing Back Scary Sleepover, Tony Todd, Sid Haig, and Making Friends With Anxiety

02:38:19 - The Last Drive-In, Getting Booked at Conventions, Adam's Growth Since Hatchet 1, and Future Projects

02:47:27 - Terrifier, MPAA's Censorship, Making Sequels

02:54:28 - Horror Stories of Getting Recognized in Public, Yorkiethon, Gratitude for Horror Community

03:03:19 - Adam Green's Social Media, Yorkiethon (JULY 25-27, 2025), and Outro

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