Jeepers Creepers (film series) explained

Jeepers Creepers
Director:
Studio:
Released:2001–2022
Runtime:383 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English
Budget:$33.2 million (Total of 3 films)
Gross:$130.8 million (Total of 4 films)

The Jeepers Creepers film series consists of four American horror movies. The first three movies were written and directed by Victor Salva, and the fourth was directed by Timo Vuorensola. The antagonist in each of the films is the Creeper, a demonic serial killer played by Jonathan Breck in the first three entries and Jarreau Benjamin in the fourth. The first film, starring Gina Philips and Justin Long, was a commercial success at the box office in 2001 and received somewhat positive reviews from critics and a nomination for the Saturn Award for Best Horror Film. Subsequent entries in the series were not well received.

Films

FilmU.S. release dateDirector(s)Screenwriter(s)Producer(s)
Jeepers CreepersVictor SalvaJ. Todd Harris, Tom Luse, & Barry Opper
Jeepers Creepers 2Tom Luse
Jeepers Creepers 3Michael Ohoven, Jake Seal, & Victor Salva
Timo VuorensolaSean Michael ArgoJake Seal & Michael Ohoven

Jeepers Creepers (2001)

See main article: article. In Florida, Trish Jenner (Gina Philips) and her brother Darry (Justin Long) are traveling home from college for spring break. On the road, they spot the driver of an old truck dumping several bodies into a large pipe outside an abandoned church. Deciding to investigate, Darry finds a lair containing hundreds of dead bodies. At a diner, the pair receive a call from Jezelle Gay Hartman (Patricia Belcher), a woman who tells them that they are going to be tracked down by the driver, revealed to be an ancient demonic creature known as the Creeper (Jonathan Breck) who kills and eats people every twenty-three years for twenty-three days. Searching for help at a police station, the brother-and-sister duo meets Jezelle, who warns them again before the Creeper arrives. After a chase, the Creeper captures Darry and flies away with him, leaving Trish depressed and in shock.

Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003)

See main article: article. On its twenty-second day of feeding, the Creeper abducts a young Billy Taggart (Shaun Fleming) to the horror of his father Jack (Ray Wise) and older brother Jack Jr (Luke Edwards). The next day, the Creeper disables a school bus carrying a high school basketball team by blowing its tires with hand-crafted shurikens. After experiencing visions of Billy Taggart and Darry Jenner, cheerleader Minxie Hayes (Nicki Aycox) tells the rest of the students about the Creeper, and that the creature will go into a hibernation state at the ending of its twenty-third day of feeding. Soon after, the Creeper abducts bus driver Betty Borman (Diane Delano) and coaches Charlie Hanna (Thom Gossom Jr.) and Dwayne Barnes (Tom Tarantini), leaving the students stranded. After various students are killed by the Creeper, the Taggarts begin their search for the bus. Once there, Jack manages to shoot the Creeper in the head with a harpoon. However, the Creeper goes into its hibernation state before it can die, leaving Jack unsatisfied. Twenty-three years later, an elderly Jack awaits for the Creeper, which he kept in his farm as a sideshow attraction, to return to life for the chance to kill it.

Jeepers Creepers 3 (2017)

See main article: article. At night, Kenny Brandon (Jordan Salloum) watches as a man manages to cut the Creeper's hand off before being taken away. Twenty-three years later, Sheriff Dan Tashtego (Stan Shaw) and Sergeant Davis Tubbs (Brandon Smith) begin an investigation on the Creeper after the abduction of Darry Jenner. The next day, Kenny's mother Gaylen (Meg Foster) sees a vision of Kenny, who was killed by the Creeper. He warns her to move away due to the Creeper searching for its severed hand, which contains information about its identity. Meanwhile, Gaylen's granddaughter Addison (Gabrielle Haugh) is captured by the Creeper to the dismay of her friend Buddy Hooks (Chester Rushing). Ignoring the warning, Gaylen touches the severed hand, learns about who the Creeper is through visions, and gives the hand to Tashtego and Tubbs, who inspect it with other authorities. While the Creeper kills various police officers along with Tashtego, Addison manages to escape from the Creeper's truck, reuniting with Gaylen and Buddy. The next day, Buddy leaves for a high school basketball game on the same bus later attacked by the Creeper shortly before its hibernation.

Jeepers Creepers: Reborn (2022)

In Louisiana, the Horror Hound festival holds its first event in the state. Among the attendees include Chase and his girlfriend Laine, who begins to experience disturbing visions associated with the town's past and the Creeper. As the festival begins and the entertainment builds to a frenzy, Laine believes that something unearthly has been summoned.

Cast and crew

Cast

Character
Jeepers CreepersJeepers Creepers 2Jeepers Creepers 3
The CreeperJonathan BreckJarreau Benjamin
Darius "Darry" JennerJustin Long
Patricia "Trish" JennerGina Philips
Sergeant Davis TubbsBrandon SmithBrandon Smith
Kenny BrandonJordan Salloum
Roach / Coach Dwayne BarnesTom Tarantini
Jezelle Gay HartmanPatricia Belcher
The Cat LadyEileen Brennan
Trooper Robert GideonJon Beshara
Trooper Natasha WestonAvis-Marie Barnes
Jack TaggartRay Wise
Deaundre "Double D" DavisGarikayi Mutambirwa
Scott "Scotty" BraddockEric Nenninger
Minxie HayesNicki Aycox
Izzy BohenTravis Schiffner
Chelsea FarmerLena Cardwell
Andy "Bucky" BuckBilly Aaron Brown
Rhonda TruittMarieh Delfino
Bus Driver Betty BormanDiane Delano
Coach Charlie HannaThom Gossom Jr.
Dante BelascoAl Santos
Jake SpencerJosh Hammond
Kimball "Big K" WardKasan Butcher
Jonny YoungDrew Tyler Bell
Jack "Jackie" Taggart Jr.Luke Edwards
Jon Powell
Billy TaggartShaun Fleming
Sheriff Dan TashtegoStan Shaw
Gaylen BrandonMeg Foster
Addison "Addi" BrandonGabrielle Haugh
Buddy HooksChester Rushing
Kirk MathersRyan Moore
LaineSydney Craven
ChaseImran Adams
StuPete Brooke
CarrieOcean Navarro
JamieMatt Barkley
MichaelAlexander Halsall
Madame CarnageJodie McMullen
Lady ManillaGeorgia Goodman
SamGabriel Freilich
MarieDee Wallace
RonaldGary Graham
DJ PhythonRomain Faure

Additional crew and production details

FilmComposer(s)CinematographerEditor(s)Production companiesDistributor(s)Running time
Jeepers CreepersBennett SalvayDon E. FauntLeRoyEd MarxAmerican Zoetrope
Cinerenta-Cinebeta
Cinerenta Medienbeteiligungs KG
United Artists
MGM Distribution Co.
91 minutes
Jeepers Creepers 2Myriad Pictures
American Zoetrope
104 minutes
Jeepers Creepers 3Andrew Morgan SmithMisty TalleyInfinity Films
Myriad Pictures
Screen Media Films100 minutes
Ian LivingstoneSimon RowlingEric PotterOrwo Studios
Black Hangar Studios
Infinity Films
88 minutes

Production

The Jeepers Creepers film series originated from Victor Salva, who wrote and directed the original film of the same name. Financed by the German companies Cinerenta-Cinebeta and Cinerenta Medienbeteiligungs KG, American Zoetrope was originally going to cast A-list actors for the lead roles but executive producer Francis Ford Coppola convinced the studio to hire Gina Philips and Justin Long instead, actors who Salva believed were best for the roles as Trish and Darry Jenner.[1] The role of the Creeper was written specifically for Lance Henriksen.[2] After Henriksen dropped out of the project, Jonathan Breck was cast mainly for his audition, which stood out to Salva because Breck unexpectedly attended it with a shaven head after sending the film crew various head shots of himself with hair; when questioned, he told Salva that the "character wouldn't have hair".[3] [4] With Eileen Brennan and Patricia Belcher cast in supporting roles, Salva decided to make a cameo appearance as with most of his films.[5] Using elements from Night of the Living Dead (1968) and Duel (1971),[6] filming took place in Central Florida for two months with cinematographer Don E. FauntLeRoy.[7] [8] Produced on a budget of $10 million and using music composed by Bennett Salvay,[9] Jeepers Creepers was released by United Artists and MGM Distribution Co. on August 31, 2001.[10]

In 2002, American Zoetrope and Myriad Pictures announced the development of Jeepers Creepers 2 with Salva and Coppola returning to their respective duties.[11] [12] Principal photography took place that same year, with production concluding in July.[13] With Ray Wise cast in a lead role, the production budget for the project was larger than the original at $17 million.[14] Long also returned to the franchise in a cameo, reprising his role as Darry.[15] Jeepers Creepers 2 was released by United Artists and MGM on August 29, 2003.[16]

On September 11, 2015, a third film was officially greenlit to begin production under the working title Jeepers Creepers 3: Cathedral,[17] shortly after Salva shared his intentions in making a film focusing extensively on the return of Philips as Trish Jenner.[18] However, his original script was rewritten, and the film was released in 2017 by Screen Media Films as simply Jeepers Creepers 3 on one-night screenings on September 26, and on October 4, with Phillips making a cameo appearance instead.[19] [20] Along with mixed reviews from critics, the film sparked controversy over a joke about child molestation, due to Salva's past as a convicted sex offender, which was later removed from various screenings.[21]

Prior to the release of Jeepers Creepers 3, Phillips said in an interview that Salva had completed a script for a possible fourth film.[22] [23] However, the project from Salva did not move forward, and on February 24, 2021, it was announced that a fourth film, containing no involvement from Salva, would be released as by Screen Media Films. Written by Sean Michael Argo and directed by Timo Vuorensola, the film serves as the first film of a new trilogy.[24] It was released on September 19, 2022.[25]

Reception

Box office performance

FilmU.S. release dateBox office grossBudget
U.S. and CanadaOther territoriesWorldwide
Jeepers CreepersAugust 31, 2001$37,904,175$21,467,128$59,371,303$10 million[26]
Jeepers Creepers 2August 29, 2003$35,667,218$27,435,448$63,102,666$17 million[27]
Jeepers Creepers 3September 26, 2017$2,335,162$1,682,690$4,017,852$6.2 million[28] [29]
September 19, 2022$2,033,057$4,142,156$6,175,213[30]

Critical and public response

FilmRotten TomatoesMetacriticCinemaScore[31]
Jeepers Creepers45% (115 reviews)[32] 49 (24 reviews)[33] D
Jeepers Creepers 224% (127 reviews)[34] 36 (29 reviews)[35] C+
Jeepers Creepers 317% (6 reviews)[36]
Jeepers Creepers: Reborn0% (16 reviews)[37]

Accolades

FilmAwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipientsResult
Jeepers CreepersFangoria Chainsaw AwardsJuly 2002Best Wide-Release FilmJeepers Creepers[38]
Best Supporting ActorJonathan Breck
Best Makeup/Creature FXBrian Penikas
International Horror Guild AwardsApril 13, 2002Best MovieJeepers Creepers[39]
Saturn AwardsJune 10, 2002Best Horror FilmJeepers Creepers[40]
Best Performance by a Younger ActorJustin Long
Sitges Film Festival Awards2001Best FilmJeepers Creepers[41] [42]
Jeepers Creepers 2Golden Reel AwardsFebruary 28, 2004Best Sound Editing in a Feature - Music - Feature FilmDavid Bondelevitch and Victor Salva[43]
Fangoria Chainsaw AwardsMay 2004Best Supporting ActorRay Wise[44]
Best Makeup/Creature FXBrian Penikas
Worst FilmJeepers Creepers 2
Saturn AwardsMay 5, 2004Best Horror FilmJeepers Creepers 2[45]
Jeepers Creepers: RebornGolden Trailer AwardsJune 29, 2002Best Horror PosterJeepers Creepers: Reborn (The Refinery)[46] [47]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Creeper Still Circles His 3rd And Biggest Film. July 6, 2010. Victor. Salva. Victor Salva. https://archive.today/20210224232045/http://pohocounty.blogspot.com/2010/07/creeper-still-circles-his-3rd-and.html. February 24, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  2. Book: Kaye, Don . https://archive.org/details/Fangoria_206/page/n21/mode/2up. Meet the Creeper. Jeepers Creepers. September 2001. 206. 2223. Fangoria. https://archive.org/details/Fangoria_206/mode/2up. May 1, 2017. live. February 26, 2021.
  3. Web site: Interview With Jonathan Breck. January 2003. Neil . Young. Neil Young's Film Lounge. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612174537/https://www.jigsawlounge.co.uk/film/reviews/neil-youngs-film-lounge-interview-with-jonathan-breck/. June 12, 2018. live. February 24, 2021.
  4. Web site: Interview: Jonathan Breck (Jeepers Creepers 1, 2). January 4, 2010. Adrian . Halen. Horrornews.net. https://web.archive.org/web/20210101224657/https://horrornews.net/49027/interview-jonathan-breck-jeepers-creepers-12/. January 1, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  5. Jeepers Creepers [Director's [[audio commentary]] track; DVD]. Victor . Salva. Victor Salva. January 8, 2002. MGM Home Entertainment.
  6. Book: Kaye, Don . https://archive.org/details/Fangoria_205_2001_Planet_Of_The_Apes_HQS_c2c/page/n21/mode/2up. Jeepers Creepers Summer Sleeper?. Planet of the Apes. August 2001. 205. 2225. Fangoria. https://archive.org/details/Fangoria_205_2001_Planet_Of_The_Apes_HQS_c2c/mode/2up. May 1, 2017. live. February 26, 2021.
  7. News: Central Florida to see lots of action, film-wise. Roger . Moore. July 22, 2000. Orlando Sentinel. 2. Orlando, Florida. Newspapers.com. February 24, 2021.
  8. News: 2 previous movie projects faded away. Ramsey . Campbell. July 20, 2000. Orlando Sentinel. 18. Orlando, Florida. Newspapers.com. February 24, 2021.
  9. Web site: Clever Jeepers Creepers Pushes Too Far. August 31, 2001. Kevin . Thomas. Kevin Thomas (film critic). Los Angeles Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20210108133318/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-31-ca-40364-story.html. January 8, 2021. live. February 24, 2021. limited.
  10. Jeepers-Creepers. Jeepers Creepers. https://web.archive.org/web/20210103003802/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Jeepers-Creepers. January 3, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  11. News: Jeepers Creepers: Where'd you get that plot?. Alden . Graves. January 17, 2002. 11. Bennington Banner. Bennington, Vermont. Newspapers.com. February 24, 2021.
  12. News: Washington, Smith big on Ocean Park. Marilyn . Beck. Marilyn Beck. May 31, 2002. 3C. Poughkeepsie Journal. Poughkeepsie, New York. Newspapers.com. February 24, 2021.
  13. Web site: Feature: Jeepers Creepers 2 A Shivers exclusive set report. October 8, 2002. Alan . Jones. Shivers. https://web.archive.org/web/20210112232251/https://www.visimag.com/shivers/h100_feat03.htm. January 12, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  14. Jeepers-Creepers-2. Jeepers Creepers 2. https://archive.today/20210108163249/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Jeepers-Creepers-2%23tab=summary. January 8, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  15. Web site: Creepers 2 a guilty, gory pleasure. August 29, 2003. Christopher . Lloyd. Gainesville. https://web.archive.org/web/20210108001233/https://www.gainesville.com/article/LK/20030829/News/604162329/GS. January 8, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  16. Web site: Unnecessary sequel creeps in once again. August 29, 2003. Gene . Seymour. Los Angeles Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224202338/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-aug-29-et-jeepers29-story.html. February 24, 2021. live. February 24, 2021. limited.
  17. Web site: Jeepers Creepers 3 in the Works From Producer Francis Ford Coppola. September 11, 2015. Dave . McNary. Dave McNary. Variety. https://web.archive.org/web/20210107224342/https://variety.com/2015/film/news/jeepers-creepers-3-francis-ford-coppola-1201590943/. January 7, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  18. Web site: Jeepers Creepers 3 Is Finally Happening. September 11, 2015. MovieWeb. https://web.archive.org/web/20210107224124/https://movieweb.com/jeepers-creepers-3-director-victor-salva/. January 7, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  19. Web site: Everything You Need To Know About Jeepers Creepers 4. March 28, 2019. Padraig . Cotter. Screen Rant. https://web.archive.org/web/20210107231420/https://screenrant.com/jeepers-creepers-4-movie-updates-cast-release-date/. January 7, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  20. Web site: Fathom Events Re-Releasing Jeepers Creepers 3, Despite Director's Child Sex Abuse Conviction. September 12, 2019. Chris . Lindahl. IndieWire. https://web.archive.org/web/20201028172231/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/09/fathom-events-jeepers-creepers-3-victor-salva-child-sex-abuse-1202172930/. October 28, 2020. live. February 24, 2021.
  21. Web site: Why Jeepers Creepers 3 Was So Controversial. November 23, 2019. Michael . Kennedy. Screen Rant. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224205610/https://screenrant.com/jeepers-creepers-3-movie-controversial-reason/. February 24, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  22. Web site: Don't Fear the Creeper: An Interview with Gina Philips. May 18, 2017. Emma . Westwood. Diabolique Magazine. https://web.archive.org/web/20210101214648/https://diaboliquemagazine.com/dont-fear-creeper-interview-gina-philips/. January 1, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  23. Web site: Jeepers Creepers 4 Script Has Already Been Written. May 23, 2017. Ryan . Scott. MovieWeb. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224204452/https://movieweb.com/jeepers-creepers-4-screenplay-finished/. February 24, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  24. Web site: Jeepers Creepers: Reborn Sells to Screen Media, Gets 2021 Release (EXCLUSIVE). February 24, 2021. Brent . Lang. Variety. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224170442/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/jeepers-creepers-reborn-release-date-1234914059/. February 24, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  25. Web site: Jeepers Creepers 4 Trailer Brings The Creeper Back For Blood. July 20, 2022. Timothy. McClelland. Screen Rant. July 20, 2022.
  26. 0263488. Jeepers Creepers. https://web.archive.org/web/20210104190840/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0263488/. January 4, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  27. 0301470. Jeepers Creepers 2. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224231541/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0301470/. February 24, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  28. 1139592. Jeepers Creepers 3. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224231644/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1139592/. February 24, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  29. Web site: Initial Certification Search. Fastlane NextGen. https://web.archive.org/web/20210126074817/https://fastlaneng.louisianaeconomicdevelopment.com/public/search/ent. January 26, 2021. live. February 25, 2021.
  30. 14121726. Jeepers Creepers: Reborn. October 11, 2022.
  31. Web site: CinemaScore . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190809062201/http://cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ . August 9, 2019 . February 24, 2021. Each film's score can be accessed from the website's search bar.
  32. jeepers_creepers. m. Jeepers Creepers. February 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210106154210/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jeepers_creepers. January 6, 2021. live.
  33. jeepers-creepers. movie. Jeepers Creepers. February 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210106154151/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/jeepers-creepers. January 6, 2021. live.
  34. jeepers_creepers_2. m. Jeepers Creepers 2. February 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210227055018/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jeepers_creepers_2. February 27, 2021. live.
  35. jeepers-creepers-ii. movie. Jeepers Creepers II. February 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224224316/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/jeepers-creepers-ii. February 24, 2021. live.
  36. jeepers_creepers_3. m. Jeepers Creepers 3. February 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224223807/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jeepers_creepers_3. February 24, 2021. live.
  37. jeepers_creepers_reborn. m. Jeepers Creepers: Reborn. October 4, 2022.
  38. Book: https://archive.org/details/Fangoria_214_2002_halloween_resurrection_c2c_hqs_badcover/page/n9/mode/2up. 10. Fangoria Halloween Resurrection. 214. July 2002. Fangoria. The 11th Fangoria Chainsaw Award Winners. Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/Fangoria_214_2002_halloween_resurrection_c2c_hqs_badcover/. May 1, 2017. live. February 24, 2021. Fangoria Publishing.
  39. Web site: IHG Award Recipients. International Horror Guild. https://web.archive.org/web/20200815084030/http://horroraward.org/prevrec.html. August 15, 2020. live. February 24, 2021.
  40. Web site: The 2001 Saturn Awards. June 13, 2002. Brian . B.. MovieWeb. https://web.archive.org/web/20210106152937/https://movieweb.com/the-2001-saturn-awards/. January 6, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  41. Web site: 34ed. Festival Internacional De Cinema De Catalunya. 34th International Film Festival Of Catalonia. Catalan. Sitges Film Festival. https://web.archive.org/web/20210104153252/https://sitgesfilmfestival.com/eng/arxiu/2001/programacio#01. January 4, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  42. Web site: Jeepers Creepers Awards & Festivals. https://web.archive.org/web/20210106143507/https://mubi.com/films/jeepers-creepers/awards. January 6, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  43. Web site: Pirates reels in most MPSE noms. January 19, 2004. Marc . Graser. Variety. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224213759/https://variety.com/2004/tv/awards/pirates-reels-in-most-mpse-noms-1117898745/. February 24, 2021. live. February 24, 2021.
  44. Book: https://archive.org/details/Fangoria_230_2004_Dawn_Of_The_Dead_HQS_c2c/page/n13/mode/2up. 14. Fangoria Dawn of the Dead. 230. 2004. Fangoria. The 13th Fangoria Chainsaw Award Winners. Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/Fangoria_230_2004_Dawn_Of_The_Dead_HQS_c2c/mode/2up. May 1, 2017. live. February 26, 2021. Fangoria Publishing.
  45. Web site: Jeepers Creepers 2. MoviePlayer. it. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225211215/https://movieplayer.it/film/jeepers-creepers-2_1396/. February 25, 2021. live. February 25, 2021.
  46. Web site: Tinoco . Armando . June 5, 2023 . Golden Trailer Awards Nominations List: Stranger Things, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Ted Lasso & Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Among Most Nominated . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230605161252/https://deadline.com/2023/06/2023-golden-trailer-awards-nominations-list-1235408411/ . June 5, 2023 . July 9, 2023 . Deadline Hollywood.
  47. Web site: Pedersen . Erik . June 29, 2023 . Golden Trailer Awards: Cocaine Bear, Only Murders In The Building & Oppenheimer Among Top Winners – Full List . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230630063402/https://deadline.com/2023/06/golden-trailer-awards-2023-winners-list-1235427612/ . June 30, 2023 . July 9, 2023 . Deadline Hollywood.