Cineverse Saves ‘The Toxic Avenger’ Remake With UNRATED Theatrical Release Later This Year

We’re excited to announce today that Cineverse has saved director Macon Blair’s The Toxic Avenger remake and plans an unrated wide theatrical release later this year.

Bloody Disgusting’s parent company Cineverse acquired all U.S. and Canadian theatrical, home entertainment, and streaming rights through a deal with Legendary Entertainment.

The news was first reported by Variety this afternoon.

This fresh take on the beloved anti-hero known as “Toxie” was directed by Macon Blair (I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore) and stars Emmy and Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones”), Kevin Bacon (Friday the 13th, Stir of Echoes), and Elijah Wood.

The Toxic Avenger is a daring and darkly comedic reimagining of the cult-classic franchise that first took the world by storm in the 1980s.

“In this bold new chapter of the classic midnight movie franchise created by Lloyd Kaufman and Troma Entertainment; a shocking accident transforms downtrodden janitor Winston Gooze (Dinklage) into a mutant vigilante. Armed with his signature mop, the unlikely hero battles freaks, gangsters and corrupt CEOs while trying to save his relationship with his son.”

The story channels the subversive gonzo energy of the original Toxic Avenger while delivering a fresh, contemporary twist. The film features an all-star cast that also includes Jacob Tremblay, Julia Davis, and Taylour Paige.

Opening to critical acclaim at Fantastic Fest, The Toxic Avenger has been hailed as a riotous blend of social satire, inventive gore, and unexpected heart. With a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film reaffirms the enduring power of subversive cinema to captivate and challenge audiences.

“The Toxic Avenger isn’t just a great film; it’s an important one,” said Cineverse Chairman and CEO Chris McGurk. “Peter Dinklage’s transformative performance and Macon Blair’s fearless direction deliver a story that speaks to the anxieties of our time with outrageous humor and unflinching creativity. This is the kind of movie that major studios are averse to release because it dares to push boundaries, but Cineverse is rooted in championing bold, uncompromising storytelling. We believe audiences are ready – and eager – for films like this to take center stage.”

In reaction to the upcoming release, Lloyd Kaufman, President of Troma and creator of The Toxic Avenger commented, “Michael Herz, Toxie, and I have mopped our tears away! Macon Blair’s Fantoxic reimagining of Toxie’s life is even better than Troma’s! The Troma Fans will be ecstatic!”

Cineverse’s proven track record with unrated films, including last October’s box-office phenomenon Terrifier 3 – the highest-grossing non-rated film in U.S. history – underscores its ability to connect audiences with bold, authentic stories.

“I’m beyond grateful to the team behind The Toxic Avenger who were so supportive and steady-handed as we searched for the perfect distribution partner for our film,” said Director Macon Blair. “It’s so cool that folks will have the chance to see this in theaters, it’s a fun rowdy movie you wanna see with a crowd. Mutant hero smashes bad guys with a mop: perfect entertainment for the whole family! Our goal was always to preserve the heart and spirit of the original Toxie (which was seared into my brain at a very young age) and try to make something that Troma fans would dig and at the same time do something with the character that feels fresh. Lloyd and Michael at Troma have been a blast to work with, absolutely everyone at Legendary are stars, and I can’t wait to start working with the champs at Cineverse to bring this version of Toxie to fans new and old.”

Macon Blair directed the film from a screenplay he wrote based on Lloyd Kaufman’s The Toxic Avenger (1984). The film is produced by Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz. The executive producers are Andrew Pfeffer, Jay Ashenfelter and Macon Blair with casting by Mark Bennett and Julie Harkin.

Blair’s collaborators behind the camera include Emmy Award winning director of photography, Dana Gonzalez; production designer Alexander Cameron; editors Brett W. Bachman and James Thomas; visual effects supervisor Chris Ritvo; costume designer Vanessa Porter; with music by Will Blair and Brooke Blair.

On behalf of Cineverse, the deal was negotiated by Chief Legal Officer, Gary Loffredo, Chief Content Officer, Yolanda Macias and Executive Director, Acquisitions, Brandon Hill.