The Once and Future Smash

   

 

 

In 1970, Mikey & William both portrayed football cannibal Smash-Mouth in the influential cult hit, End Zone 2. Now, 50 years later, only one can wear the mask.

The Once and Future Smash is the story of Mikey Smash and William Mouth, who both played Smash-Mouth, the football-themed slasher character in the lost 1970 cult film, End Zone 2. They are now on the convention circuit 50 years later, trying to reclaim the iconic role in the upcoming reboot sequel that starts one hour into End Zone 2. 

A Launch Over and Without Your Head Film; Produced by: Sophia Cacciola / Michael J. Epstein / Neal Jones

Directed by Sophia Cacciola / Michael J. Epstein - Written by Michael J. Epstein

Starring: Michael St. Michaels (The Greasy Strangler), Bill Weeden (Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.), A.J. Cutler

Featuring: Mark Patton (Nightmare on Elm Street 2), Laurene Landon (Maniac Cop), Richard Elfman (Forbidden Zone), Mark Torgl (Toxic Avenger), Melanie Kinnaman (Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning), V.C. DuPree (Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan), Victor Miller (Friday the 13th), Hélène Udy (My Bloody Valentine), Jennifer Rubin (A Nightmare on Elm Street 3), Marc Sheffler (Last House on the Left), Carl Solomon (Tropical Cop Tales), Adam Marcus (Jason Goes to Hell), Todd Farmer (Jason X), John Dugan (Texas Chain Saw Massacre), Bill Johnson (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2), Bob Elmore (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2), LLoyd Kaufman (Troma), Claudio Fragasso/Rossella Drudi (Troll 2), Tim Dry (Xtro)

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Selected Press

  • “The Once and Future Smash provides universal entertainment in Spın̈al Tap fashion. TOUCHDOWN!" - Starburst Magazine
  • “The Once and Future Smash is a well made, hilarious and thoroughly entertaining love letter to cult films. Whether it’s the hilariously convincing interviews, the fantastic lead performances or the incredible Andy Warhol stop motion scene, this film is wild and an absolute blast to sit through, I can’t recommend it enough.” - Gary Cruise, Horror Trash Cult Other podcast
  • “The Once and Future Smash is an absolute treat for genre fans. With so many wonderful moments carefully laden within the spoof film that you could easily find yourself clapping away at it. Just a joy of a film.” - Upcoming on Screen
  • “Directors Sophia Cacciola and Michael J. Epstein have perfectly skewered the horror documentary with The Once and Future Smash...” - Horror DNA
  • "With The Once and Future Smash, Cacciola and Epstein deliver a thoughtful deconstruction of both the slasher genre and the horror fan culture in one deft swoop and the end result is equal parts over-the-top and completely believable… not mention irresistibly fun!" - Horror Fuel

END ZONE 2

1970 film restoration from Launch Over 


Fifteen years after the events of End Zone, Smash-Mouth is back to finish off the cheerleaders who killed his mother.

Produced by Tex Beckerson, Jacques Renault; Written by L. Ray Hobbson; Directed by August Kane; Starring: Percy Wynne, Bernadette Ryan, Dahlia Dimont, Patricia Ford, Melody Riviera, Mikey Smash, Randall Browning


About the restoration:

End Zone 2 was shot in 1969 on a modified Arri 16ST. Most 16mm release prints were struck from the original composite negative, which was eventually irrevocably damaged in the process. Six partial prints and a partial Italian internegative (the only source for the titles) were used to recreate the film in as close a form as possible to the original presentation based on written records and a partial magnetic audio master. While some prints were prepared with widescreen mattes, the film is presented here in unmatted form with 1.375:1 aspect ratio. As with all previous attempts at restoration, it was not possible to locate the last thirty minutes of the film. It is believed to be lost. 

Launch Over is honored to present this landmark work to the public for the first time since its original theatrical run. 

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