BTL Radio Show – 03/16/2026 with guests writer DAVID KOEPP talking COLD STORAGE and director MARC KLASFELD discussing DO NOT ENTER

It’s post-Oscar Monday on BEHIND THE LENS and most of Hollywood is probably still recuperating from a night of celebration.  Some big winners last evening, notably ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, SINNERS, and KPOP DEMON HUNTERS, and you’ll hear me talk about the evening with the good, the bad, and, to borrow from Sigourney Weaver, the adorable.

But on #BTLRadioShow, we’re looking ahead with films that could be in contention for the 99th Academy Awards next year, namely COLD STORAGE and screenwriter DAVID KOEPP, and DO NOT ENTER and director MARC KLASFELD.

First up is screenwriter – and also author – David Koepp talking about his sci-fi thriller COLD STORAGE.  You all know who David is.  He’s the screenwriter behind Jurassic Park, Stir of Echoes, The Mummy, several Indiana Jones movies, Zathura, Death Becomes Her, Carlito’s Way, and so many more.  Some are original scripts.  Many are adaptations of books or novellas from authors like Michael Crichton and Stephen King.  But now, with COLD STORAGE, David is adapting his own book!

I love COLD STORAGE and every deliriously pulpy, smartly crafted minute of it. This is the kind of sci-fi thriller that knows exactly what it is, leans into its genre DNA with confidence, and still takes the time to honor craft, character, and clarity. It’s funny, tense, occasionally campy in the best way, and relentlessly entertaining.

Directed by Jonny Campbell and adapted by David Koepp from his own novel, the film drops us into a self-storage facility built atop an old U.S. military base—always a good idea—where a parasitic fungus sealed away decades earlier decides it’s time to stretch its spores. What follows is a breathless, darkly humorous ride that balances body-bursting horror, clean science exposition, and character-forward storytelling without ever losing momentum.

The film stars Liam Neeson, Lesley Manville, Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell, and Vanessa Redgrave.

In this exclusive interview, David discusses adapting his novel “Cold Storage” into a film, highlighting the challenges of preserving the book’s humor and snark while simplifying complex scientific concepts. He also emphasized the importance of character-driven storytelling, noting the difficulty of cutting favorite parts from his own work.  Given how science-heavy it was, he detailed his research process, which involved collecting relevant articles and consulting a microbiologist. He also touched on the balance between visual explicitness in screenwriting and maintaining reader engagement.  It’s a fun, energetic interview, so take a listen!

COLD STORAGE is now available on Digital.

Then we go from sci-fi thriller with snark and humor to a straight-up terror-filled tale from director MARC KLASFELD  – DO NOT ENTER.  And I’ll tell you all right now, if you’re from Philly or Jersey and have fond memories of going down the shore or all those stories and rumors about haunted places, horrid creatures like the Jersey Devil, or mobsters galore, then this is definitely the film for you.

Directed by Marc with script by Dikega Hadnot, Spencer Mandel, and David Morrell, DO NOT ENTER is the story of The Creepers, thrill-seeking urban explorers who love pushing things to the edge, and their latest stunt – livestreaming from New Jersey’s abandoned Paragon Hotel – is their biggest yet. With its mobster past, supposed ghosts, and rumored stash of $300 million, the Paragon is catnip to the Creepers, a surefire way to increase their fanbase. But fear has other plans. Daring to enter the Paragon, not heeding the warnings, the Creepers fend off deadly rivals. At the same time, supernatural creatures stalk them from the shadows, testing their endurance, sanity, and willingness to pay fame’s heavy price.

Marc discusses the film’s production, including the use of a massive abandoned building in Bulgaria for the Paragon, and the collaboration with cinematographer Yon Thomas. He highlights the importance of sound design, particularly the echo in empty spaces, and the casting process, which involved extensive rehearsals. And how about shooting in Bulgaria as a stand-in for the Jersey shore??  Marc also reveals his next project, a hardcore horror movie, and reflects on the challenges and lessons learned from directing DO NOT ENTER.

This is Marc’s second feature film after his debut narrative feature directorial in 2005 – the flawlessly funny L.A. Riot Spectacular.  Yes, 2005.  He’s spent the last 20 years directing music videos.  Marc and I spoke back then, so it was wonderful to reconnect with him the other day and discuss DO NOT ENTER.  Enjoy!

DO NOT ENTER is in Theatres, On Demand, and On Digital on March 20, 2026.

Join me again next week when I’ll have more films to discuss and more filmmakers to chat with.  In the meantime, make sure to check out behindthelensonline.net, where I have plenty of new interviews and reviews already out for you!

FOLLOW US ON X (formerly Twitter):