Hunter King Talks Going from Hallmark to Horror & Starring in Husband Chris Copier's Directorial Debut 'Rabisu' (Exclusive)
Hunter King is best known for being a rom-com queen thanks to her work in Hallmark Channel movies, but you can catch a different side of her in the new horror movie Rabisu: The Curse of the Demon!
The 32-year-old actress is starring in her husband Chris Copier‘s directorial debut, which is now available to rent or purchase on VOD platforms like Apple TV and Amazon’s Prime Video.
In Rabisu, a team of social-media ghost hunters enters a warehouse filled with eerie, intentional clutter — only to discover a djinn capable of possession, shifting corridors, and turning friends into violent threats as they search for a way to survive.
Hunter and Chris met while working together on the set of an indie movie and he has served as First Assistant Director on several Hallmark films. Now, he’s sitting in the director’s chair for the first time!
JustJared.com spoke with Hunter to learn more about the film, how horror feels different than Hallmark, and all about her recent wedding.
Keep reading to find out more…
Read the interview below!
Just Jared: Horror is a big departure from Hallmark. What is it about the genre that you love?
Hunter King: I love getting to step into a totally different genre and do something I don’t normally get to do. I’m a big fan of horror movies, as well as rom coms, so getting to do both fills my creative cup so much!
JJ: If you had to pick three stars from your Hallmark family to go ghost hunting with, who would you choose and why?
HK: Oh, I love this question. Jonathan Bennett for sure! He would help distract us from any scary situations and keep us laughing no matter the level of danger. Nikki DeLoach because I feel she’s super organized and always prepared. She’d have all the gear and tell us what we need to do a when. I’m more of a “freeze” when in danger type, so I need someone brave and prepared like Nikki. Wes Brown because he’d be the protector of the group. He’s also great friends with my husband so I feel he’d have good reason to help me get out alive!
JJ: Wes Brown made a cameo in this movie and he also appeared in Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story. How did he get involved in this film? What kind of project would you like to do with him next?
HK: We love Wes. Wes and my husband Chris, who is the amazing writer, director, and producer of Rabisu, are great friends. We were so excited Wes was happy to be a part of this film! I’d love to work with Wes in a comedy next. I could see us being a crime fighting duo.
JJ: Were there ever moments while filming that you truly were scared?
HK: There’s a part of the movie where my character crawls through this dark tunnel and anyone who knows me, knows I’m terrified of small enclosed spaces. This was definitely one of the scarier moments for me. Also the warehouse was so dark so you were always on edge of someone popping out behind a corner. Happened many times.
JJ: Would you ever go into a haunted house in real life?
HK: Only if my husband, who is 6’6”, was there to protect me
JJ: What are some of your favorite memories from the shoot?
HK: It was such a fun shoot to be a part of. A ton of our friends were on the crew, so it made it so fun to go to work everyday. It felt like going to winter camp with your friends honestly! My husband also really wanted it to be a collaborative experience so it was really cool getting to see everyone bond over creative choices.
JJ: If there’s a blooper reel out there somewhere, what’s the funniest moment we’d see on it?
HK: Oh man. Aside from me cursing like a sailor? There were so many good moments. There’s one scene in particular I’m remembering that was a pretty gruesome scene, but rehearsing it was so funny as we tried to figure out the timing of everything. It was just so crazy you had to laugh!
JJ: You’ve worked with your husband Chris on projects in the past, but this is his first one as a director. What was it like to star in his directorial debut?
HK: I’m so incredibly proud of him. Chris is someone who makes things happen. It’s truly so inspiring to watch someone go after their dreams and be so so good at what they do. I’m constantly in awe of him and getting to watch him first hand as a Director was such a special experience. I hope we get to do it many many more times.
JJ: Do you have any plans to work together again in the future?
HK: We’re always dreaming up ways to work together. We’re writing a few things right now to hopefully get the chance to do that again!
JJ: Congrats on your wedding by the way! What was it like celebrating at Medieval Times and what can you tell us about your upcoming destination wedding ceremony?
HK: We had the BEST night at Medieval Times. My best friend came up with the idea and as soon as he said it, we knew that’s what we had to do. It was so fun seeing everyone together dressed up in costume, and just go have a fun evening. It was so us, it felt perfect. As far as our upcoming wedding ceremony, I’m so excited I feel like a kid going to Disneyland. I can’t sleep! It’s going to be small, and filled with so much love. I truly can’t wait. We’re so grateful to get to travel with our families and celebrate all together. I’d get married to Chris once a year for the rest of our lives if I could!
Watch the movie now on Apple TV and Amazon’s Prime Video.
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