Sam Raimi is Not Lined Up to Direct MGM's Remake of 'Poltergeist'
by Ben Pearson
Source: Reddit
Director Sam Raimi is one of the most well-loved geek filmmakers working today. His low-budget Evil Dead films put a new spin on horror movies back in the early 80s and had a massive influence on the genre, and if you've seen The Cabin in the Woods, you know that his work still influences directors today. Raimi dove into the superhero genre for a while, but returned to his horror roots with the spectacular Drag Me To Hell in 2009. Now he's producing an Evil Dead remake, and according to a recent Reddit thread (via Movies.com), Raimi is in talks to direct a remake of Tobe Hooper's 1982 classic, Poltergeist. Read on!
MGM CEO Roger Birnbaum spoke at the University of Denver and told students about his plans for rejuvenating the classic series, and he mentioned Raimi as someone he'd like to see in the director's chair. The idea of a Poltergeist remake has apparently been kicking around for a few years now, but since MGM has just recently overcome their bankruptcy troubles, they're only now able to finally start looking ahead to the future and planning projects down the road. I saw Poltergeist for the first time last summer, and with its concentration on technology as a medium for ghostly transportation, I think this is one of the few remakes that might actually be more relevant today than it was back in 1982. Raimi is a great pick to direct, but we'll have to see if his busy schedule allows him to take on the project. Thoughts?
UPDATE: Heat Vision has word that Raimi will not direct the film, but will only produce. In that capacity, he will be an integral part of the decision as to who will direct the remake from writer David Lindsay-Abaire, who worked on Disney's Oz: The Great and Powerful for Raimi.
Find more posts: Development, Movie News
Yes please! Raimi and horror = great entertainment.
Danimal on Apr 27, 2012
Hopefully the curse won't continue or it could be a good thing. Who knows. It's over 30 years old, some younger films have been remade 3 times by now so why not? Easy one for the writers, just chuck in an Ipad.
Crapola on Apr 27, 2012
that will definitely require Raimi to pull that off.......
Jericho on Apr 27, 2012
Good luck to the cast. Hope they all survive.
082512 on Apr 27, 2012
Isn't he also in line to direct a new Day of the Triffids adaptation? We're entering a new golden age of horror films, if Cabin in the Woods and this news is any indication.
OfficialJab on Apr 27, 2012
Kidgamerpc on Apr 27, 2012
God, please don't remake this. It's already so fantastic, can't we just leave it at that?
Teacherkid on Apr 27, 2012
Probably my fav movie ever. Will see...
Gianni Persello on Apr 27, 2012
Man A Raimi version of Poltergeist? Now that I must see!
Jimmy Love on Apr 27, 2012
Oh good!! Another great movie from my childhood being needlessly remade! Maybe after this some Hollywood dickface will realize how awesome They Live and Repo Man were, and feel the need to rip those off as well. Good stuff.
grimjob on Apr 27, 2012
I could see Raimi doing a great job with this. Plz don't give it to Michael Bays horror movie SHIT Machine. Make Bruce Cambel the dad :)-------Carrol Ann!
Horseflesh on Apr 27, 2012
it would defiantly be funny if the whole cast and crew just disappeared, maybe then people would stop all the remakes... but i think not...
happy camper on Apr 27, 2012
Terrible idea! This is a flick that should NOT be remade! The original won't be topped!
Spider on Apr 27, 2012
This is years worst cinematic news for ME, I don't know why this guys do such things? Everytime right guy Wana take lead of one project, leave and they take helmet to unknown godforsaken guy!! Are they insane? I think only one who can turn this brilliant into diamond is Raimi. Style of directing of him make this remake to ultimate horror movie,this is very obvious, but he is busy and we must see another lame-loose-meaningless remake I'm disappointed
Ehsan Davodi on Apr 28, 2012