Poltergeist Remake Gets a Director
Although MGM has been pushing it for years now, Poltergeist is one of the few remaining ’80s horror franchises that has yet to get a modern update. As you can probably guess, that isn’t likely to last much longer. First announced back in 2006, House of Sand and Fog director Vadim Perelman was once attached to direct a Poltergeist remake until MGM’s financial crisis put the project on hold indefinitely. Then we heard that Sam Raimi had signed on to produce with a script being written by David Lindsay-Abaire (Oz the Great and Powerful, Rabbit Hole). The project went silent again for almost a year, but now this week it appears that the remake is moving forward and they have finally decided on a director: Monster House helmer Gil Kenan.
According to Deadline, Gil Kenan has signed on to direct Poltergeist with Raimi still on board as a producer. There’s no word on whether or not David Lindsay-Abaire’s script is still going to be used, but at this point it seems like a safe assumption. No timeline is mentioned either, although it may become a priority once MGM’s Carrie remake gets released.
Aside from Monster House, Kenan’s only other directorial credit is the decent but forgettable family adventure film City of Ember. In both cases, he has shown a knack for capturing the feel of an ’80s Amblin film, which could be what they are looking for in Poltergeist. There is still a debate over whether or not Spielberg ghost-directed the original, but his influence on the film is undeniable, and perhaps they will attempt to recreate some of that in the remake. What do you think, are you interested in a Poltergeist remake and is Gil Kenan a good choice to direct it?
Comments (8)
I usually always have faith in Raimi, but I don’t know how I feel about this. One of the major things that gave the original it’s awesome feel and energy, was composer Jerry Goldsmith; and consider the fact that he’s no longer with us; I can’t picture who could take his place. Aside from that…like other films that were remakes of awesome originals, I don’t see what real reason there is to remake this film. If the film industry absolutely needs to remake something, why not do remakes of shitty originals, that could have had potential. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Posted by Theo on March 7th, 2013Just remaster the original picture, and throw it back in theaters. There have been enough wannabe Poltergeist movies, put in theaters in the past few years.
Posted by Theo on March 7th, 2013Okay, the the first Poltergeist is not what you would call a “perfect” film, whoever it directed. Evil Raimi is a good choice, also his style is more gory. What would be a good idea to have Spielberg produce it, have Raimi ex. produce it,do “some reshoots” and have Kenan direct it. AND Bruce Campbell somewhere, in the 80´s version was enough “simple” guys whith beer so Bruce could be in it.
And the cast will be will be “aware” of the fate of the cast of the 80´s films. And milk it for PR.
Posted by Stinker on March 7th, 2013I’m with Theo on this one. The original can’t be improved on; just go back and watch the trailer for it on YouTube. The daughter screaming ‘What’s happening!?’ is iconic for me and I always use that line when I walk in on my kids misbehaving.
Would love to see a movie in the same vein with an all new story and setting insterad of a straight remake. Dumb and further proof that there is an ideas drought in Hollywood.
Posted by Matt the Kiwi on March 7th, 2013In the last 10 years the movies adapted from books have made BILLIONS of dollars at the box office. (Twilight, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Huger Games, etc)
Yet Hollywood thinks we want to pay money to see a remake of an old 70s or 80s action/horror movie.
There seems to be a disconnect.
Posted by Glen on March 7th, 2013@ Stinker
There’s no such thing as a perfect movie…. Just movies that will never be forgotten…..cult classics, if you will (Just like Total Recall, Robocop or even Poltergeist). But I’m more than sure that whatever remake of this comes out, will not be better than the original (Fact). Also… goriness doesn’t always make a horror movie good or better…. Look how
Posted by Theo on March 7th, 2013Poltergeist 3 and AVPR turned out. Despite my feelings on doing a remake, I probably would have had more faith in a reboot for this, if Raimi would direct it himself. But I’d prefer him to look towards something more original….Like Evil Dead 4 (with Bruce Cambell). That’s me though.
The new Fright Night was pretty cool and differed from the original on a number of points. So if they go that route I’l’ be interested to see it. Just think of it as a new horror(-light) flick that happens to have the same name as a semi-classic. Just a familiar name to get a few extra butts in the seats, nothing more.
Posted by Bas on March 7th, 2013I thought Fright Night 2011 was a pretty decent remake….and yes, with a number of new points added. But still just a remake, with an easily predicable story…. a shadow of something original and already seen before. If you’ve watched the original, you pretty much have an idea of what comes next in the remake. Instead of being able to be surprised by what happens next in the film, all you really do is compared and contrast the tiny differences to the original. Unless Poltergeist is a totally different story compared to the original (like Dredd 3D compared to Judge Dredd 1995), I really have no interest. But like I said…That’s me.
Posted by Theo on March 8th, 2013Leave a Reply