Monday, 13 May 2013

News Round Up: Remakes, casting and the first official trailer for NBC’s Dracula


It’s official, studio executives have once again been scraping that barrel. I try and be optimistic when it comes to “re-imagining” certain productions but It, Pet Semetery and Gremlins? Stop right there.

Unfortunately the rumours, as I hear it, are true. It was originally picked up to be remade in 2009 before the project came to a halt and fell silent for a few years. In comparison to the two-part television adaptation (1990) of Stephen King’s classic novel, which shot Tim Curry to fame and has forever been held as a classic, David Kajganich is writing the script for a single, feature-length film. Reports are he is aiming for an R rating and hoping to produce a far darker and more accurate portrayal of the novel. Warner Bros have managed to get Cary Fukunaga on board to co-write and direct and Roy Lee, David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith to produce. No casting announcements have been made and they are still very much in pre-production so it the film won’t be hitting our screens any time soon. 

In keeping with King’s oeuvre, the 1989 cult classic Pet Semetery has also been picked up for remake. Rumour has it Paramount Pictures have selected a script written by Matthew Greenberg and have chosen Alexandre Aja to direct. Apparently shooting will begin next year.

Last but not least, it has been officially announced that the 1980s classic, Gremlins, has been picked up for a remake by Warner Bros. No director has been announced yet but producers are once again Seth Grahame-Smith and David Katzenberg. 

I think the below image says it all...


Casting news now, as two new actresses have joined an already impressive collection of talent for American Horror Story: Coven. Following a tweet from Ryan Murphy, it has been confirmed that Angela Basset (Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner) and Patti LuPone (winner of Emmy Award and multiple Tony Awards) will be making appearances this season. Details of their characters have not been released and plot outlines still remain unknown – although it has been hinted that this season is of a more romantic, glamorous affair set in multiple cities and time periods. Interesting... What is for sure, however, is that a strong female presence will not be lacking.

In the final bit of news in today’s round up, comes the first official trailer for NBC’s Dracula. Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the iconic figure (named Alexander Grayson), NBC is bringing the classic tale to our screens soon. This version is set in the 19th century and Meyers’ incarnation is an American entrepreneur who brings modern science, particularly electricity, to a Victorian London society. His trip is not all about targets and sales quotas though, as his true hope is to take revenge on those who have cursed him with immortality. All is going to plan until he meets a woman who he believes is a reincarnation of his dead wife. You can catch the trailer below...


Debates will no doubt surface over the representation of Dracula and the shows comparison to the novel or previous adaptations. However you can’t argue that the production here looks like a particularly lavish and stylish affair, with plenty of flashbacks, fencing, slow motion and sex to boot. It’s no Hannibal though...

Speaking of which, NBC is still undecided on the fate of Hannibal so please, everybody watch – it is truly fantastic.

That’s it for now but I will keep you updated with any further developments!










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