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Wednesday
14Oct2009

MGM Still Vows To Remake 'Poltergeist' Next Year

DateWednesday, October 14, 2009 at 9:29PM
Understandably, news of MGM's economic woes have led people to question what will happen to several high-profile projects designed to lift the studio out of the mire. The Hobbit is moving forward as planned, and a recent report that Fox would assume at least a distribution stake in James Bond has been refuted, meaning that future box office champeen is staying put, too.

But then there's a trio of 80s movies MGM is remaking, RoboCop, Red Dawn, and Poltergeist. You could argue all three could use an update about as easily as you could argue they're such time capsules of those go-go days that a remake in any case is a bad idea. RoboCop probably garnered the most attention (although it's in a holding pattern right now) and Red Dawn is the first one coming to theaters. It's due out in September.

What about Poltergeist? Bloody-Disgusting heard from MGM recently, probably in an effort to borrow money. But part of the discussion was about Poltergeist, and MGM says House of Sand and Fog director Vadim Perelman is still planning to shoot the project as early as the first quarter of 2010.

Could be a late 2010 release if it falls into place the right way, though the studio didn't comment about a release date. At one point, though, it was scheduled for November 24, 2010, so we'll see if MGM comes back to that or not.

Of the three remakes in question here, I think Poltergeist is the most natural remake. It might also be the toughest to top. But the story is simple enough to be handled differently enough and still be worthwhile. With Perelman at the helm, I would expect some deep psychological stuff going on in the remake. That's fine. Probably better to not try out-spooking us for 90 minutes, anyway.

AuthorColin Boyd | | in , , , | Print ArticlePrint Article | | CommentPost a Comment |

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