Not too long ago, yours truly discussed filmmaker Brad Bird’s hopes for the future of 2D animated cinema. And while I stupidly assumed that Bird was dipping his toes into these waters and ultimately irritated the man himself, the article caught the attention of a few directors who are using animation to evoke terror in their respective audiences. Sorry about that, Mr. Bird. That’s my bad.

Randall Kaplan is among the filmmakers who reached out to Dread Central, and I’ve gotta say that his upcoming animated feature Boxhead looks absolutely terrifying. Although he’s still in the process of bringing this tale to life, it’s quite clear that his style is ridiculously engaging.

Here’s what the film is about:

Al is an aging, alcoholic recluse. There was a time when he aspired to be someone; a writer with a life and career. That time, along with all of his dreams, has long passed him by. He lives alone, his life reduced to an empty, solitary, and drunken existence. But as time slips away, a strange creature watches, waiting in the dark…

One night Al discovers something absolutely horrible that could possibly save his soul. He takes on the role of a detective, acting out a story he never finished. All the while, the creature enters into different people’s lives, unveiling their deepest fears and regrets, their loneliness… and feeding off of it. Al is led down a rabbit hole, through a labyrinth of past and present fantasies and nightmares, to ultimately find himself.

Need proof of Boxhead’s inherent coolness? Check out the prelude and some artwork below. We’ll definitely let you know when Kaplan’s next Kickstarter campaign is under way. For more info about the project, check out the original Kickstarter campaign page. It’s packed with details.

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