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Sam Raimi Moves Into MGM's 'Poltergeist' Remake

Oh, yeah, and they're remaking 'Poltergeist' now

By Kate Erbland Apr 29, 2012 8:40PM
It was really only a matter of time before remake-happy Hollywood sank their teeth into a modern horror classic, but at least this time around, a modern horror master is getting in on the game. THR reports (via ComingSoon) that Sam Raimi is coming on board MGM's "Poltergeist" remake - but only in a producer capacity. The "Evil Dead," "Army of Darkness," "Drag Me to Hell," and "Spider-Man" (the entire Tobey Maguire-starring franchise) director will produce the film alongside Nathan Kahane, Roy Lee, and Robert Tapert. Though Raimi is decidedly not directing, he will help with the studio's search for a directing talent.


Raimi also has a connection to the screenwriter penning the project, still described as focusing "on a family whose house was built on a holy site and whose daughter is taken by ghosts" (just like Tobe Hooper's 1982 film) - it's David Lindsay-Abaire, who also worked on Raimi's next film, "Oz: The Great and Powerful." The rest of Lindsay-Abaire's resume is quite varied, with credits on films like "Inkheart," "Rabbit Hole," and the upcoming "Rise of the Guardians." There's not a horror flick in the bunch - but that could just mean the screenwriter is bringing fresh perspective to the new film. 


The original "Poltergeist" (and, to a lesser extent, even its first sequel, "Poltergeist II: The Other Side") is a modern horror classic, directed by Tobe Hooper and written by Steven Spielberg from his own original story. The film was nominated for three Oscars, and it forever associated the name "Carol Anne" with "abject freaking terror." Few movies have haunted me as much as "Poltergeist" did. While there's certainly room for the sort of seminal work that set "Poltergeist" apart from other horror flicks in the genre-heavy eighties in the current climate, horror films these days seem entrenched in all kinds of gimmicks. Remakes aside, Hollywood loves shoe-horning 3D or found footage into new horror films, and both seem like the sort of thing that could get forced on a new "Poltergeist." Frankly, I'd be shocked if the film doesn't receive either treatment - which is a damn shame, because the film was a success as a straightforward tale in 1982, and it could be the same in 2012. 

Though the attachment of Raimi to the film does give it some very-necessary horror cachet, it's important to note that, for all of Raimi's work, he was never involved in the original "Poltergeist" or its subsequent sequels. Which begs some questions, like - where are Steven Spielberg or Tobe Hooper? 

Do you want to see a new "Poltergeist"? 
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22Comments
Big Dave267
Apr 30, 2012 8:39AM
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Has everyone interested in writing original material disappear.  No wonder the theater business is dying.  Who wants to pay to see a movie when they have the original version on dvd at home?
Celtexican
Apr 30, 2012 8:01AM
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No NO NO! There are plenty of books out there to make into movies! I am tired of movies done right the first time - being remade just because...
SassyTarheel
Apr 30, 2012 8:58AM
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Please for the love of all that is right with the world STOP remaking movies from my childhood (i.e. the 80s).  Poltergeist was a really good movie with a great cast.  Leave it alone.  Shoot, I watched it a month ago and it still was still spooky.  Everyone who died during the making of these movies must be rolling over in their graves.  If there was even a chance of them making a good remake, I might be okay with it but all the remakes they've made thus far don't even come close to being as good as the originals.  So, please just stop.  Find some original material (anything that has NOT already been made into a half-way decent movie) and make films based on that.
Zeromia
Apr 30, 2012 8:12AM
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Oh please...for the love of Pete..leave this one alone! It's classic..in all it's cheesyness and technicolor...the remake will be all CG and gratuitous horror...I will definitely NOT be seeing this one..instead, I'll rent the old one and pop some popcorn!!!
Amos979
Apr 30, 2012 9:34AM
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Remake the movies that need to be remade.  Stop messing with the ones that are perfect as is.  Poltergeist gave us sleepless nights between the creepy lady, the dead tree, and that clown- I had plenty of sleepless nights.  I'm afraid it will become gory where it needn't be and overly cgi-ed...But that is just my humble opinion.

 

Leave poltergeist alone, remake tremors, children of the corn, ghoulies, or leprachaun.

MakeItStopPlease
Apr 30, 2012 8:25AM
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Unfortunate that they're going to remake this.  It surely doesn't need it.  And I'm almost 100% positive it won't be better than the original, which was truly terrifying.

And incidentally, Ms. Erbland, the word you wanted is cachet, not cache.

Hunnaebee
Apr 30, 2012 9:45AM
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Let Poltergeist alone! I doubt a remake would be better! I guess Hollywood can't come up with any new ideas. Look at television! All of the sitcoms are being replaced with BS Reality TV. If I see anymore singing/dancing contest shows, surviving where-ever shows or mob/basketball/WTFev​er wives, I'm seriously going to Sick
what a trip and not a good one
Apr 30, 2012 9:31AM
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what is so sad, is that if they get away with making this one, then the next one they will want to screw up is gonna be E.T. (The Extra-Terrestrial) ... not sure if I spelled that right, but it would be best if they found some original writers for once and quit remaking movies ...  originality is the only thing that will keep the franchise of movies alive and kicking or people will only buy DVD's and say "bump the theatre" just because the cost is so outrageous and people who attend can sometimes be so loud it makes the experience not worth the cost.
I think its time
Apr 30, 2012 8:07AM
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MSN thanks for trying to block the spam but I think you overdid it, geez.  At any rate I would see it (well rent it anyways) if was really scary and well done. Otherwise I'd say that the only ghost related activity that Hollywood should be focusing on is looking for the ghost of originality before he crosses over into the light. Yes it's fun to remake movies but can't hollywood stop cannibalizing the great movies and focus on some new material for a change.

crazydi
Apr 30, 2012 9:02AM
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Just bring back that CREEPY midget lady!  SHE freaked me out!
movie fan424
Apr 30, 2012 8:45PM
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Never going to be as good as the first movie. I have a feeling it's going to suck like most of the remakes. I wouldn't see this in the theaters and pay full price.
Someone (Nikki Reid)
Apr 30, 2012 3:41PM
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I don't get the remake trend either, but at least it probably won't be too horrible with Sam Raimi involved.
Blackhawks
Apr 30, 2012 9:58AM
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Poltergeist is one of my favorite movies and I liked the second one also - creepy Reverend Kane Surprised

The remakes or new versions never excite me - too CG. 

When I was a kid I saw "Clash of the Titans" in the theater, loved it.  My favorite scene was the scary Medusa slithering around her lair looking for intruders.  The stop-motion movement made it more suspenseful.  Suspense was really built up.  Her tail rattling, seeing a shadow of her serpent hair, etc.  Nowadays the CG creatures are too slick and fake, and fly through the air or sand at 100 mph.  The new COTT was really boring and NOT suspenseful.

King Of The Ryche
Apr 30, 2012 7:49PM
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At first I thought this might be cool. Then I saw Sam Raimi's name attached to it. This guy is one of the most over-rated film-makers ever. Even his best films were tolerable at best. Get someone else or you won't get my money for this load of horse doodoo.
dashripdot208
May 1, 2012 6:20AM
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Whatever credit Spielberg got for writing the screenplay "based on his own original story," he owes to Richard Matheson, who wrote the short story (and screenplay) upon which the Twilight episode "Little Girl Lost" was based.
Catmagick
Apr 30, 2012 9:18AM
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As one of my favorite movies, I just hope that they do it justice.  I would see a new version, of course, but I doubt that they will be able to capture the same feeling, because without the influence of Spielberg, it will definitely not have the same humor or creepiness that the original has. Plus, if they throw in 3D or "found footage" that will definitely ruin it, because the original worked so beautifully without that nonsense.
JBlover1
Apr 30, 2012 9:12AM
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I heard once that after so many years "they" have to remake movies or the rights to it get lost and then anyone and do whatever they want to it. Could be wrong...have been before. On that note i'll just have to wait and see before i decide if it's a good or a bad thing.
acmechopper
Apr 30, 2012 8:06AM
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The best part about the original Poltergeists' movies was all the bad luck and real death attached to it.  That's what really pushed the movie, at least the second one, the first was good. 

JR411
Apr 30, 2012 7:52AM
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this would be a good remake, but I'd love to see someone remake the 1957 movie, The Forbidden Planet. A great flick, good plot and adventure that with new technology would be a sure fire hit. 
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