As of the start of May 2008, there are no less than two dozen horror movie remakes in various stages of development, and if you think the remake train ends here, you haven't been watching too many Hollywood movies lately. But as for now, here's a rundown of what you can expect over the next couple of years.
Art of the Devil: At the end of April '08, Cerenzie-Peters Productions (Before the Devil Knows You're Dead) bought the remake rights to this hit franchise from Thailand. Although each of the three entries thus far has featured a differennt storyline, the remake will focus on the second film's plot about a teacher who exacts gruesome supernatural revenge on students who expose her infidelity and kill her lover.
At the End of the Spectra: It was reported in August 2007 that Nicole Kidman was on board to star in this remake of the Colombian film Al Final del Espectro, about an agoraphobic woman who isolates herself in her new apartment, only to discover that it might be haunted. Looking at Kidman's schedule, it probably won't hit screens until 2010, but you can catch the original movie on HBO.
Battle Royale: The remake of this cult fave from Japan about unsuspecting students dropped off on a deserted island and forced to compete in a "killer takes all" game was postponed indefinitely after the Virginia Tech tragedy.
The Birds: Platinum Dunes, the Michael Bay-led production company responsible for remakes of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Amityville Horror plus the upcoming Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street, is in pre-production on a big-budget redo of the Hitchcock classic. It's slated to star Naomi Watts, with Martin Campbell (Casino Royale) in talks to direct. A summer 2009 release is scheduled.
Child's Play: Things are very early at this stage, but if and when this landmark killer doll pic does get remade, it will come from the same people who started it -- namely, writer Don Mancini and producer David Kirschner -- something that can't be said about most other remakes.
The Crazies: This update of the George Romero film about a homicidal mass hysteria (Think The Signal minus a signal.) is being directed by Breck Eisner (Sahara), who'll also helm the Creature from the Black Lagoon remake. In May 2008, he stated that he's filming The Crazies first, meaning it will likely hit theaters first, perhaps in 2009.
The Creature from the Black Lagoon: This remake was originally scheduled to debut in late 2008, before the remake of another Universal classic, The Wolfman, hits screens in 2009, but it appears to have been delayed by the writers' strike until at least 2009. Creature will be directed by Breck Eisner and will reportedly feature Bill Paxton.
Friday the 13th: This "reboot" of the landmark slasher franchise is currently filming, with Marcus Nispel, who helmed the remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, directing. The release date will almost certainly be February 13, 2009 (a Friday, natch).
The Fury: At the end of April '08, Fox announced that it had commissioned a script to be written for a remake of the 1978 Brian DePalma flick about a telekinetic man who's kidnapped by the government.
Hellraiser: No director or cast has been named, but a January 9, 2009, date is planned for the release of this dark Clive Barker tale of pain, pleasure and Pinhead.
The House on Sorority Row: In April 2008, Summit Entertainment (P2) acquired the remake rights to this '80s slasher, which made it onto my list of the 25 best slashers, although I don't think it has enough of a following -- or an interesting enough plot -- to justify a remake.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers: Twisted Pictures, of Saw fame, made a deal in 2007 to remake several old RKO films, including Body Snatchers (for the umteenth time) and I Walked With a Zombie. None have begun production yet, however.
It's Alive: Currently in post-production, this remake of the cult hit about a mutant killer baby is one of the furthest along of the films on this list, already having a finished trailer. It stars Bijou Phillips and should be released -- probably on DVD -- later in 2008.
The Last House on the Left: One of several (straight to DVD?) remakes of/sequels to his own works that Wes Craven has announced in the past year or so (including a Shocker remake and a People Under the Stairs sequel), Last House will be the first to see the light of day. It's filming right now and could be released late 2008 or early '09.
Let the Right One In: At the end of April 2008, England's Hammer Films (Remember them?) nabbed the rights to remake this highly acclaimed Swedish vampire coming-of-age tale. There's no confirmation yet that it will actually be made, though.
Long Weekend: Jim Caviezel stars in this remake of the Australian nature-gone-amok film, which is in post-production and already has a trailer. It could see a (limited) theatrical release by the end of 2008.
Mirrors: This is a remake of the Korean film Into the Mirror, about a mall security guard investigating a series of deaths in a department store that all seem to be linked to mirrors. Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes, High Tension) directs and Kiefer Suthterland stars in the remake, scheduled to open August 15, 2008.
Motel Hell: Originally scheduled by to hit theaters in October 2007, this remake of the camp flick about cannibalistic hotel owners was scrapped by MGM, and the rights were sold to Twisted Pictures in February 2008. Don't plan on seeing anything before 2009.
My Bloody Valentine: On the heels of Prom Night comes another '80s slasher remake, this time in 3-D. The original finds a killer stalking a small mining town that has decided to resume its Valentine's Day dances. The remake stars Jensen Ackles from Supernatural (His co-star on the show, Jared Padalecki, stars in the upcoming Friday the 13th.) and Jaime King and is slated to hit screens on January 23, 2009
A Nightmare on Elm Street: The focus of Platinum Dunes appears to be on Friday the 13th right now, so don't expect Nightmare to arrive until 2010.
