Cineverse has confirmed the release of The Toxic Avenger, a darkly comedic reboot of Troma Entertainment’s 1984 cult classic. The film will hit theaters in 2025.
Directed by Macon Blair (I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore) and starring Peter Dinklage, the new Toxic Avenger will premiere as an unrated wide release later this year.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the team behind The Toxic Avenger, who were supportive and patient as we searched for the perfect distribution partner,” Blair said in a statement. “It’s amazing that people will get to experience this in theaters. It’s a fun, rowdy film that’s perfect for a crowd. A mutant hero taking down bad guys with a mop – it’s ideal family entertainment! Our aim was to stay true to the heart and spirit of the original Toxie, which left a lasting impression on me from a young age, while adding a fresh twist that Troma fans will enjoy. Working with Lloyd and Michael at Troma has been fantastic, and I can’t wait to collaborate with the team at Cineverse to bring this version of Toxie to both new and old fans.”
In this new installment, Dinklage portrays Winston Gooze, a down-on-his-luck janitor who, after a freak accident, becomes the mutant vigilante Toxie. Armed with his signature mop, Toxie battles corrupt CEOs, gangsters, and freaks while trying to salvage his relationship with his son. The story maintains the rebellious spirit of the original Toxic Avenger, while offering a contemporary twist. The film also stars Kevin Bacon, Elijah Wood, Jacob Tremblay, Julia Davis, and Taylour Paige.
Toxic Avenger creator Lloyd Kaufman expressed his excitement: “Michael Herz, Toxie, and I have mopped away our tears! Macon Blair’s reimagining of Toxie’s journey is even better than Troma’s. The fans will be ecstatic!”
Cineverse chairman and CEO Chris McGurk emphasized the significance of the reboot: “This is more than just a great film; it’s an important one. Peter Dinklage’s transformative performance and Macon Blair’s fearless direction tackle contemporary anxieties with bold humor and creativity. This film pushes boundaries in ways that major studios tend to shy away from, but Cineverse thrives on championing uncompromising storytelling. We believe audiences are ready for films like this to take center stage.”
Blair directed the film from a script he adapted from Kaufman’s original 1984 work. The production team includes Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Kaufman, and Michael Herz as producers, while Andrew Pfeffer, Jay Ashenfelter, and Blair serve as executive producers. Casting was handled by Mark Bennett and Julie Harkin.
Behind the scenes, Blair collaborated with director of photography Dana Gonzalez, production designer Alexander Cameron, editors Brett W. Bachman and James Thomas, visual effects supervisor Chris Ritvo, costume designer Vanessa Porter, and composers Will Blair and Brooke Blair.
Cineverse acquired the U.S. and Canadian theatrical, home entertainment, and streaming rights through a deal with Legendary Entertainment. The deal was negotiated on behalf of Cineverse by Gary Loffredo (Chief Legal Officer), Yolanda Macias (Chief Content Officer), and Brandon Hill (Executive Director, Acquisitions). CAA Media Finance represented the filmmakers in the transaction.
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