KNB EFX Group founder-turned-director Robert (WISHMASTER) Kurtzman, actress Erin (MASTERS OF HORROR: SICK GIRL) Brown (pictured at right) and co-writer John Bisson will preview their new film THE RAGE at the next East Coast edition of FANGORIA’s Weekend of Horrors convention, presented by Anchor Bay Entertainment, to be held September 29 to October 1 at the Meadowlands Crowne Plaza Hotel (2 Harmon Plaza, Secaucus, New Jersey). Besides helming THE DEMOLITIONIST and the mad-scientist opus THE RAGE (see last item here), Kurtzman recently directed BURIED ALIVE, co-starring SAW’s Tobin Bell. Brown last appeared in SHADOW: DEAD RIOT and has the much-acclaimed THE LOST on the way.

Other exciting early guests/programs set for Fango’s New York/New Jersey bonanza, which will run three full days, include:

• Charisma Carpenter: First horror convention appearance! Carpenter played the role of Cordelia Chase on BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and ANGEL and also stars in the new VOODOO MOON.

• Jeffrey Combs: Horror great from RE-ANIMATOR, BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR, BEYOND RE-ANIMATOR, FROM BEYOND, CASTLE FREAK, NECRONOMICON, THE FRIGHTENERS, THE PIT & THE PENDULUM, ABOMINABLE and more

• John Saxon: Veteran genre star from NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3, WES CRAVEN’S NEW NIGHTMARE, Dario Argento’s TENEBRAE, Bob Clark’s BLACK CHRISTMAS, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN and many more; his latest stints include TRAPPED ASHES and Argento’s MASTERS OF HORROR season-two episode PELTS

• William Finley: From Brian De Palma’s PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE, SISTERS, THE FURY and upcoming BLACK DAHLIA, and Tobe Hooper’s EATEN ALIVE, THE FUNHOUSE and NIGHT TERRORS

• Robert Joy: Memorable actor from THE HILLS HAVE EYES, LAND OF THE DEAD, THE DARK HALF, FALLEN, RESURRECTION

• TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING Panel: With stars R. Lee Ermey (THE FRIGHTENERS, BODY SNATCHERS and WILLARD) and Jordan (THE FACULTY) Brewster, plus director Jonathan (DARKNESS FALLS) Liebesman and producers Andrew Form and Brad Fuller (the team behind the recent AMITYVILLE HORROR and THE HITCHER reduxes and others)

• Dee Snider: Twisted Sister singer, STRANGELAND writer/star, FANGORIA Radio host

• Max Brooks: Author of ZOMBIE SURVIVAL GUIDE and new WORLD WAR Z (soon to be a major motion picture)

• REST STOP Panel: With actress Jaimie Alexander, FX creator Jamie (HEADSPACE) Kelman and writer/director John (SUPERNATURAL) Shiban.

• FEARMONGERS Panel: With directors Ryan (LIVE FEED) Nicholson, Doug (new SISTERS) Buck, Christopher (HORROR BUSINESS) Garetano, Nick (MURDER-SET-PIECES) Palumbo and Roger (LAST HOUSE ON DEAD END STREET) Watkins

• Mike Mendez: Rising horror director of THE GRAVEDANCERS and THE CONVENT

• Special celebrity panels devoted to MASTERS OF HORROR season two, THE GRUDGE 2, TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING and SAW III. Each presentation will boast cast and crew from the respective projects, plus clips and trailers.

• William Lustig: The director of MANIAC, the MANIAC COP trilogy and UNCLE SAM, previewing his new Blue Underground titles with special guests

• Lloyd Kaufman: The Troma chief and creator of the Toxic Avenger will debut footage from his new epic POULTRYGEIST with Tromatic friends!

• Debbie Rochon: FANGORIA Radio & TV hostess, the sultry actress’ film roles include AMERICAN NIGHTMARE, BOG CREATURES, TROMEO & JULIET, NOWHERE MAN and 100 or so more.

• HEADER Panel: Behind the squeams of the extreme horror movie. Appearing will be original author Edward (COVEN) Lee, director Archibald Flancranstin and actor Jake Suffian.

• Harry Kumel: Cult director of the classic vampire flick DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS.

• Mariano Baino: Cult director of the haunting Russian-lensed horror film DARK WATERS.

• Tim Sullivan: The 2001 MANIACS director will unveil his latest directorial project, DRIFTWOOD, plus SNOOP DOGG’S HOOD OF HORROR, which he co-wrote and co-produced.

• J.T. Petty: The acclaimed indie director of SOFT FOR DIGGING and MIMIC: SENTINEL will discuss his controversial horror underground documentary S&MAN.

• Jack Ketchum: The savage author of OFF SEASON, RED, THE LOST and LADIES’ NIGHT will give us the scoop on the film adaptations of his novels.

• Andrew Van Den Houten: The young director of HEADSPACE will talk up his sophomore film, THE GIRL NEXT DOOR, based on the Ketchum book.

• John McCarty: The author of SPLATTER MOVIES (he coined the term!), THRILLERS, THE AMAZING HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS, BULLETS OVER HOLLYWOOD and FEARMAKERS has several genre documentaries in the works.

• HELL ON EARTH Panel: With writer/director Ted (DEADLY SPAWN) Bohus, actor Peter (CEMETERY GATES) Stickles and actress Mary Corinne Miller

• Avatar Press Panel: With editor-in-chief William Christensen, writer John (ESCAPE OF THE LIVING DEAD) Russo and artist Mike Wolfer (FRIDAY THE 13TH and JASON VS JASON X)

The convention will also host a costume contest, FANGORIA TV screenings, a jam-packed indie-horror-movie festival and advance previews of such films as PAN’S LABYRINTH, GHOST RIDER, GRIND HOUSE, SKINWALKERS, BLACK CHRISTMAS, WIND CHILL, RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION, WHITE NOISE 2, HELLION, THE HITCHER, THE REAPING, ROGUE, PREMONITION and many more. Other guests and attractions will be announced shortly.