I’m a huge mark for the JEEPERS CREEPERS franchise, but ever since I found out about writer-director Victor Salva’s criminal record I’ve been conflicted about it. I don’t advocate for the guvment being able to dictate how a felon earns a living after the felon is released from jail. (Some people have said Salva and those like him should only be allowed to do manual labor.) And I wouldn’t want to hurt all the many innocent people who work on the JEEPERS CREEPERS films just to punish one guy. On the other hand, I do find Salva’s history problematic even though he has “paid his debt to society”. (Now if you want to argue that he got far too light a sentence, you’ll get no argument from me, but that’s a different matter.) News that a fourth film in the series will be taking place without Salva’s involvement was surely welcome news to me and to all JEEPERS CREEPERS fans. The movie, entitled JEEPERS CREEPERS: REBORN, is set for release later this very year!
Screen Media released the following statement: “As excited as we are, we know that fans will be even more thrilled (and chilled) to return to the world of the Creeper, now with a much scarier vision from director Timo Vuorensola, who is the perfect fit to restart this franchise.” Tiptoeing around the elephant in the room, what they should have said is “we know that fans will be even more thrilled (and chilled) to return to the world of the Creeper, now with a new director and creative team in place and the convicted pedophile no longer a part of it”. I love the Creeper and I, like all his marks, I expect, am thrilled and chilled that he won’t be further tainted by involvement with Salva.
