"Whenever someone approaches material that's so beloved, there's a reflexive reaction to be worried,. It's a responsibility we take very seriously. We're working to make a Poltergeist film that lives up to the original's legacy."
That's what director Gil Kenan, best known for the excellent animated horror Monster House, told USA Today about his upcoming remake of 1982 classic, Poltergeist. He's not wrong, and when it comes to a film that has been steeped in as much legend as Poltergeist (some claim the movie is cursed) everybody involved have some pretty big shoes to fill. The first trailer and images have now been released and it looks to have recreated the original pretty faithfully, including the staticky TV scene.
Produced by Sam Raimi with Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jared Harris, Kennedi Clements (in the role made famous by Heather O'Rourke), and Kyle Catlett starring, the familiar story follows a family who move into a home plagued by evil spirits. If there's another reason to be hopeful this is better than the usual remake it would be the screenplay by award-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, who previously wrote Rabbit Hole and Rise of the Guardians.
Poltergeist takes hold on July 24th.
