Watch the first 8 minutes and trailer for RIPD’s prequel Rise of the Damned

It’s not like we’re short of evidence that literally every IP that’s ever been a movie or TV show is currently on the table for a reboot, prequel, spinoff, or re-imagining. This is the most surprising case: Universal Pictures has resurrected RIPD, the comic-book-turned-movie that flopped in theaters back in 2013. The studio has released the trailer for the prequel film, called RIPD: Rise of the DamnedOn Nov. 15, a digital version of the movie will also be released on home video. Streaming video that appears to be the first eight minutes of the movie is also online on Universal’s website.

Original RIPDThe movie stars an elite supernatural action hero. Deadpool’s Ryan Reynolds as detective Nick Walker, whose corrupt partner (Kevin Bacon) murders him, inadvertently inducting him into an afterlife law-enforcement agency called the Rest In Peace Department. The RIPD fights “Deados” (pronounced “dead-ohs” as if they’re some kind of undead breakfast cereal), souls of the damned who escape the afterlife and wreak havoc on Earth. Jeff Bridges co-stars as Nick’s new partner Roy Pulsipher, a former Old West sheriff who’s been hunting Deados since he was gunned down.

Universal Pictures

Rise of the Damned focuses in on Roy’s origin story, with the character now played by You can burn the notice’s Jeffrey Donovan. A prospector accidentally releases a force of the netherworld. Roy, now dead, joins the battle to bring it back to Hell. Here’s the full plot description from Universal:

The Wild West has gone to Hell, literally, and the world’s best hope of being saved lies in the gun-slinging hands of Sheriff Roy Pulsipher (Jeffrey Donovan) as he becomes the newest officer for the Rest In Peace Department (RIPD) enforcing the afterlife’s laws. Roy will discover how bizarre the Old West is after he passes away. Roy believed that joining the RIPD would allow him to visit his daughter again and help solve his mystery. Instead, he has his holsters full with havoc and hellfire when he’s given a mission to stop a dangerous demon from opening a portal to the underworld. Roy (Penelope Mitchell) and Jeanne, a mysterious swordswoman are now responsible for the fate of the living as well as the dead.

RIPD 2.Digital release will become available Nov. 15th. Original RIPD is a goofy action shoot-’em-up that fits into the continuum of fantasy cop movies from Barry Sonnenfeld’s Wild Wild West to Netflix’s Bright. It’s streaming on HBO Max and is available for digital rental on Amazon and other services.