When the movie version of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" was originally released in 1975, it bombed at the box office.
In the years that followed, the film caught on with audiences — becoming both a midnight movie staple and a cult film phenomenon.
Similar things appear to be happening with the movie version of "Repo! The Genetic Opera," a like-minded cobbling of horror themes and rock music that has been called the "Rocky Horror for the new century."
That film was released in late 2008 and early 2009 in only a handful of cities, where it was met with audience indifference and mostly negative critical response.
But then it was discovered by enthusiastic fans who formed so-called "Repo Armies" to spread the good word about the film.
"It took a while, but we finally found our audience," said a chuckling Terrance Zdunich, the film's co-creator and co-star.
Zdunich says even he is surprised at the second life the movie has gotten. "Just when you feel like you've hit rock bottom, life has a funny way of giving you another chance," he said by phone from Van Nuys, Calif.
The 33-year-old artist, writer, actor, producer and composer used words like "justified" and "exonerated" while describing his feelings about "Repo's" road to semi-success.
In less than a year, "Repo Armies" have popped up around the country, even in such unlikely places as Salt Lake City. (Zdunich is hosting midnight screenings of the film this weekend at the Tower Theatre.)
"It's unbelievable how passionate these people are," he said. "I thought I was in love with the movie, but they've taken it to another level."
Zdunich has been touring the United States with "Repo Road Shows," which include audience participation sequences and sing-alongs. And he says that a Utah crowd last year at the Tower Theatre for the road show was "one of the crazier ones we had."
Looking back, Zdunich (whose name is pronounced zuh-DEW-nitch) said he is a bit baffled at the initial indifference to the movie.
"Repo" began as part of a stage show Zdunich and co-creator Darren Smith performed in rock clubs.
The response was so good that the two expanded it to a stage play, and then they began crafting a movie project, with the encouragement of "Saw" filmmaker Darren Lynn Bousman. (Zdunich reprised his role as the story's sinister "Graverobber.")
"We really thought we were onto something here," Zdunich said. "I was really disappointed and crushed that we had put so much time and effort into this project only to have it fall flat on its face — at least at first."
In addition to his musical and writing endeavors, Zdunich works as a professional storyboard artist (among his credits are the television series "Bones" and the film "Into the Wild").
He also designed comic book "panel" sequences for the "Repo" movie and is currently working on a comic book miniseries titled "The Molting."
So, while he's in Utah Zdunich will sign autographs at two comic book stores and tout his creation, which he describes as "the portrait of a dysfunctional American family in the early '90s."
The first issue — of 12 — of "The Molting" won't be available until the end of September. But previews of the book can be found at www.themoltingcomic.com, and Zdunich said he is "very proud" of his work on the project.
He is even releasing the book himself, selling it through that site and his own Web page, www.terrancezdunich.com.
"After all of the frustrations of 'Repo,' I felt like doing something where I had as much creative control of the project as possible. If it fails I'll only have myself to blame this time," he said with a laugh.
If you go…
What: "Repo! The Genetic Opera" screenings with Terrance Zdunich
Where: Tower Theatre, 876 E. 900 South
When: Aug. 28 and 29, midnight
How much: $10
Phone: 801-321-0310
Web: www.towertheatre.com, www.terrancedzunich.com
Also: Signings at HeeBeeGeeBees, 2574 Washington Blvd., Ogden, Aug. 28, 3-5 p.m.; Black Cat Comics, 2265 Highland Drive, Aug. 29, 3-5 p.m.What: "Repo! The Genetic Opera" screenings with Terrance Zdunich
e-mail: jeff@desnews.com