You’ve all probably seen this by now, but just in case, check out this wicked trailer for Shiraishi Koji’s latest horror opus. While the recent iterations of both franchises have mostly been crap, I admit I’m pretty excited to see this. I hope Shiraishi-san can pull the ghost idols out of their respective slumps.
If you’re not familiar with Shiraishi-san, he’s done some great, funny, and genuinely scary films (and some truly weird ones, too). It looks like this film will go the funny route, and I hope it works. That bit where Kayako smashes Sadako’s cursed tape, and Sadako gets pissed, is pure Freddy vs. Jason-level shtick.
I interviewed Shiraishi-san a few years ago–you can check it out here. I consider his film Noroi to be among the greatest J-horror films ever (though readers may recall that he refused to talk about that film back when I interviewed him). While it seems pretty clear that Sadako vs. Kayako is going to be mostly tongue-in-cheek, I hope it will have at least a little bit of Noroi’s creepiness.
The Angry Scholar 
Have you seen any versions of the trailer with subtitles? I can sort of get the gist of it but it would be nice to get the full effect.
Also, it’s possible I would consider watching a questionable VHS tape if someone told me I could have those key chains after…
I haven’t seen a subbed trailer, no, but I’ll keep an eye out.
We are getting the cup cling things. They’re a preorder bonus if you buy your tickets in advance.
Aw, man. Super jealous of your creepy swag!
The lack of a subbed trailer indicates to me it’ll be a while before I’ll get to see it over on this side of the world. I’ve been wondering for months if they’re planning any sort of theatrical release here, but it seems probably not. I may have to wait until it’s released on video.
I have a feeling it would cause licensing chaos with the English remakes if they were to release it Stateside. Plus there’s the plot weirdnesses it would introduce: US audiences are probably more familiar with Samara than with Sadako.
Alas, you’re probably right. Also, I just realized I aged myself by saying “released on video,” and yet it also seems somehow appropriate…