The Tripper is a slasher film shown as a bonus film as part of 2006's 8 Films to Die For. It was released on April 20, 2007. The film is directed, produced, written by, and stars David Arquette. Arquette's wife, Courteney Cox Arquette, is also a producer and actor in the film. The MPAA rating system rated the film R for strong horror violence and gore, drug content, language and some sexuality/nudity. The title is a play on Ronald Reagan's nickname of "The Gipper".
In August 2007, writer-producer Fritz Jünker sued David Arquette and Arquette's company Coquette Productions, Inc. for copyright infringement, claiming Jünker's 2001 film The Truth About Beef Jerky was the basis for The Tripper. The release date April 20, or 4/20 is a reference to 420, a number of prominence in cannabis culture.
It rained so much during filming of The Tripper that director David Arquette, at the wrap party, gave each cast and crew member a personalized poncho. In fact, one of the few days it DIDN'T rain was when they shot the rain scenes. They had to make rain for these scenes.
David Arquette went on a nationwide tour of U.S. cities, with the help of myspace.com, to promote the film.
When David Arquette did a panel for this film at the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con International, the footage he wanted to show was missing. He offered a reward of a car that was used in the movie for the return of the footage.
David Arquette stated during his bus tour that he came up with the idea for the film during a Reggae party held outside, where he envisioned a murderer "coming out of the woods and slashing up all the hippies." The idea eventually led to The Tripper.
The film was originally going to be a part of After Dark Production's "8 Films to Die For," but Arquette wanted the film to be released in theaters and on April 20th (4/20), so they respectfully parted ways.
Arquette has said that despite political elements, his intention was never to further an agenda but to just make a "fun" movie.
David Arquette, the director, showed up for a screening of this film in a fake-blood-spattered suit.
