With Paranormal Activity raking in millions — $151 million, to be exact — It’s almost a given that a sequel will be made, never mind that movies like these were not really made to have a sequel.
According to reports, a sequel is already being prepared and Kevin Greutert, the director of Saw VI. Michael Perry will be writing the script.
The sequel looks like it’s also going to be a quickie production with Paramount eyeing October 22 — OF THIS YEAR — to release the movie. Oren Peli, the director of the original movie, will be the producer, along with Jason Blum.
Peli has reassured fans of his movie that the guys who are going to make the movie “get it” and that fans will not be disappointed. We’ll really have to try to take that with a straight face. If you guys remember, another super low budget independent horror movie made with a shoestring budget made millions when it was released, which prompted people to release a sequel that sucked so much it killed the whole “franchise.” That movie was The Blair Witch Project. Good luck on these guys and their delusions.
The Orphanage remake announced
Yet another remake has been announced.
I knew that when The Orphanage, the Guillermo del Toro – produced and Juan Antonio Bayona directed horror film was released and gained great reviews from critics worldwide that Hollywood won’t be able to keep its talons off this beautiful film.
New Line / Warner Bros. has announced that it will embark on a remake of The Orphanage. Instead of hiring original director Bayona, the studio has announced that it has signed Mark Pellington to direct the English language remake.
Even though Bayona will not be sitting on the director’s chair for this remake, Guillermo del Toro will still be involved as one of the producers (along with Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson). Del Toro will also co-write (along with Larry Fessenden) the script for the remake. With Del Toro’s close involvement in the remake there is hope that this is not going to suck as much as the other Hollywood remakes that essentially just butcher the source material for the sole purpose of Americanizing it.
Director Pellington’s previous credits include Arlington Road, The Mothman Prophecies and Henry Poole is Here. He also directed the concert movie U23D. So in the directorial front, it looks like there is a bit of promise too. Let’s hope that the Hollywood version of the The Orphanage is a refreshing interpretation of a wonderful Spanish horror movie.
Raimi to produce new horror movie
Sam Raimi directed one of the coolest Hollywood horror movies in years with Drag Me To Hell. He’s also notched up quite a reputation for producing some of the more entertaining horror movies in recent years, like The Grudge remake, 30 Days of Night and The Messengers. So I’m looking forward to the new horror movie Raimi will be producing.
Raimi has officially signed on as producer for the supernatural horror movie Refuge. The movie will revolve around a town that is being attacked by a Yeti.
I’m looking forward to this movie.
Downey, Jr. being eyed to play Lestat
After taking on such iconic characters as Iron Man and the soon to be released Sherlock Holmes later this year, Robert Downey, Jr. is now set to take on a character that is surprising to say the least.
According to reports, there are plans to reboot Anne Rice’s ultra popular Vampire Chronicles and Universal Pictures is eyeing Downey to play Lestat.
Movie buffs will remember that Tom Cruise played Lestat in Interview with The Vampire, while Stuart Townsend played the character in The Queen of The Damned.
Downey is a great actor, probably one of the top real talents working right now but I think he’s a little too old to play Lestat. Tom Cruise was already a bit old to play Lestat and that was in 1994 when he was still young.
I’m also curious which among the remaining novels will be made into a movie or if the studio will start with the first novel again since it is going to be a reboot anyway.
Neve Campbell to return for Scream 4
A few weeks ago, I blogged about the new Scream sequel being developed. Courtney Cox was set to reprise her role as Gail Weathers but Neve Campbell was iffy about joining the new movie.
Speculations can now end now that Campbell has signed on to return and reprise her role of Sidney Prescott. Production for Scream 4 will begin in April or May.
Scream 4 is the first part of another Scream trilogy so better dust off that Scream mask, it’s going to get popular next Halloween again.