“The Belko Experiment” is a new horror film from the writer who brought us “Slither” and “Guardians of the Galaxy."The story takes place in an Office Building in Colombia, where 80 American workers working for non-profits found themselves locked in at work. Co-workers were then pitted against fellow co-workers by the powers that be in a violent yet familiar game-like scheme: kill or be killed.

Funny, sick, savage, gory… or just random violence?

“I had a dream one night… and I dreamed ‘The Belko Experiment,’" explained writer James Gunn in a new behind the scenes video interview.

The whole movie had come to him at once—tonally. “In terms of what it was, what it could be. It was a very extreme film, and I was very inspired by it,” Gunn said. The film’s world premier was held at the Toronto International Film Festival (tiff.) on September 10, 2016. The film won’t be in theaters until March 17.

What exactly is ‘The Belko Experiment’?

The horror film’s cast include John Gallaghar Jr (“The Newsroom”), Tony Goldwyn (“Scandal”), Adria Arjona, John C. McGinley (“Identity”), Melonie Diaz (“Ghost Team”), Owain Yeoman (“Troy”), Sean Gunn (“Guardians of the Galaxy”), Brent Sexton (“Criminal”), Josh Brener (“Silicon Valley”), and David Dastmalchian (“Sushi Girl”). Gunn unveiled in March 2015 that the film project would have Greg McLean, an Australian known for his debut feature “Wolf Creek," as director.

A recipe for instant enemies

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gunn had developed the script a few years before starting the production in June 2015. "The Belko Experiment" officially wrapped up in July of the same year and then was headed for the Toronto world premier. James Gunn started his film making career in 1995, when he wrote "Tromeo and Juliet", an independent rom-com.

He has written and co-written dozens of films afterwards, which brought him various types of awards and recognition, including the Bram Stoker Award for best screenplay for "Dawn of the Dead."

Gunn explained that the most important aspect about "The Belko Experiment" for him was the choices that the characters were making in the film.

It is to him “very emotional” to be involved in the characters as people, he said in the behind-the-scenes clip for the film. According to his Facebook page, the team has created a Virtual Reality show called “Belko VR – The Escape Room Experience” which will be released for free to celebrate the National Employee Appreciation Day on March 3. The Belko VR, created by David Yarovesky and Dan Clifton, is available on HTV Vive and Oculus Rift.
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