“Hellraiser.” “The Others.” “The Night of the Hunter.” “Salem’s Lot.” That’s four horror remakes in the pipeline, all announced in just the last week. And all of them feel like setups for failure, especially with untouchable masterpieces like Charles Laughton’s “Night of the Hunter” or Alejandro Amenábar’s “The Others.” “Salem’s Lot” has been adapted three times, on both the big and small screen, to middling success. Yes, original ideas have long been the Hollywood boogeyman. But when it comes to the highly profitable and road-tested horror genre, it’s embarrassing to see studios cower like little kids afraid of a sheet.
Jumpstarted by the rise of so-called “elevated horror” movies like “The Witch” ($40 million at the box office), “Hereditary” ($80 million), and “Midsommar” ($42 million), horror is in midst of a renaissance unseen since the 1990s, when “Scream” relaunched teen slashers. All three of those titles (all A24) were...
Jumpstarted by the rise of so-called “elevated horror” movies like “The Witch” ($40 million at the box office), “Hereditary” ($80 million), and “Midsommar” ($42 million), horror is in midst of a renaissance unseen since the 1990s, when “Scream” relaunched teen slashers. All three of those titles (all A24) were...
- 4/11/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Charles Laughton’s sole directorial effort, the 1955 suspense classic The Night of the Hunter is getting a modern remake from Universal Pictures, according to Variety. Amy Pascal’s (Spider-Man: Far From Home) Universal Pictures-based banner Pascal Pictures will produce along with Peter Gethers. The screenplay will be written by Matt Orton, best known for the Nazi-hunter film Operation Finale, based on Davis Grubb’s 1953 novel.
The original film is iconic, and Robert Mitchum’s portrayal of newly released prison convict Harry Powell is one of the greatest villains of the silver screen. This is the film which introduced the hand tattoos Love and Hate and the biblical battle fought just below the knuckles. It is the story of good and evil that goes back to when “Cain struck the blow that laid his brother low.” The inked-fingers had “veins that run straight to the soul of man.”
The book and...
The original film is iconic, and Robert Mitchum’s portrayal of newly released prison convict Harry Powell is one of the greatest villains of the silver screen. This is the film which introduced the hand tattoos Love and Hate and the biblical battle fought just below the knuckles. It is the story of good and evil that goes back to when “Cain struck the blow that laid his brother low.” The inked-fingers had “veins that run straight to the soul of man.”
The book and...
- 4/8/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Universal Pictures is looking to remake an old Hollywood classic. It has been announced the studio is in the works on a remake to The Night Of The Hunter, a 1955 film adaptation based on the novel by Davis Grubb. Little is known about the project but we do know that Matt Orton (Operation Finale) is writing the script and it is expected to be a contemporary version of the original…...
- 4/8/2020
- by Gaius Bolling
- JoBlo.com
One of the best directorial debuts of all-time, as well as his sole helming effort, Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter is a masterpiece of mood and madness, giving Robert Mitchum perhaps the best role of his career as serial killer Reverend Harry Powell. Now, as Hollywood is known to do, they want to recapture the magic for a remake.
Matt Orton, who scripted the Oscar Isaac-led drama Operation Finale, will write a contemporary version of the story for Universal Pictures, Variety reports. There are no additional details yet, but it’s a curious proposition as the original film wasn’t a hit upon its release with critics nor audiences, something rightfully reconsidered as holds up perfectly to this day. Hopefully, Orton has quite a fresh take and the right actor can step into Mitchum’s shoes for this retelling.
Not counting the numerous directors merely influenced by the film,...
Matt Orton, who scripted the Oscar Isaac-led drama Operation Finale, will write a contemporary version of the story for Universal Pictures, Variety reports. There are no additional details yet, but it’s a curious proposition as the original film wasn’t a hit upon its release with critics nor audiences, something rightfully reconsidered as holds up perfectly to this day. Hopefully, Orton has quite a fresh take and the right actor can step into Mitchum’s shoes for this retelling.
Not counting the numerous directors merely influenced by the film,...
- 4/8/2020
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Universal Pictures are keeping the wheels turning behind the scenes by lining up future films to add to their rosters. The latest development sees the giant in line to remake the 1955 thriller ‘The Night of the Hunter’.
Based on the novel by Davis Grubb, the story follows a religious fanatic, con man and murderer who marries a widow, knowing that her deceased husband had hidden $10,000 from authorities following a bank robbery. The widow’s young children are reluctant to tell him where their real dad hid the money as the man plots more sinister ways to find where to find the cash.
‘Operation Finale’ scribe, Matt Orton, will pen the script with Peter Gether and Amy Pascal producing through her Universal-based Pascal Pictures.
Also in news – Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer return for ‘Call Me By Your Name’ sequel
The 1955 thriller was directed by Charles Laughton and starred Robert Mitchum,...
Based on the novel by Davis Grubb, the story follows a religious fanatic, con man and murderer who marries a widow, knowing that her deceased husband had hidden $10,000 from authorities following a bank robbery. The widow’s young children are reluctant to tell him where their real dad hid the money as the man plots more sinister ways to find where to find the cash.
‘Operation Finale’ scribe, Matt Orton, will pen the script with Peter Gether and Amy Pascal producing through her Universal-based Pascal Pictures.
Also in news – Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer return for ‘Call Me By Your Name’ sequel
The 1955 thriller was directed by Charles Laughton and starred Robert Mitchum,...
- 4/8/2020
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Charles Laughton’s iconic 1955 serial killer thriller “Night of the Hunter” is getting a remake from Universal Pictures. The news was first reported by Variety. The studio has tapped “Operation Finale” screenwriter Matt Orton to pen the script, which is believed to be a contemporary reimagining of the storyline and not a period piece. Amy Pascal is producing the project through her production banner Pascal Pictures. Additional producers include Peter Gethers and Jay Polidoro, the latter of whom is Universal’s senior vice president of production. Pascal recently had a major hit with Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women,” which grossed over $200 million worldwide and picked up Oscar nominations for Best Picture and more. Universal is coming off box office success for genre title “The Invisible Man.”
The first iteration of “Night of the Hunter” was Davis Grubb’s 1953 novel of the same name. Film critic turned screenwriter James Agee adapted...
The first iteration of “Night of the Hunter” was Davis Grubb’s 1953 novel of the same name. Film critic turned screenwriter James Agee adapted...
- 4/7/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Matt Orton (“Operation Finale”) has been tapped to adapt the screenplay for Universal Pictures’ “The Night of the Hunter,” based on the novel by Davis Grubb.
Orton previously wrote “Operation Finale,” starring Oscar Isaac and Sir Ben Kingsley, which MGM released to excellent reviews and a strong performance at the box office in 2018. Since then, Orton has written “Battle of Britain,” which Ridley Scott will direct, and is currently writing the live-action family-adventure movie, “Knights,” for Disney.
The 1955 film directed by actor Charles Laughton (and the only film he ever directed), starred Robert Mitchum as a sublimely sinister traveling preacher turned serial killer named Harry Powell, who had tattooed knuckles and nefarious motives for marrying a fragile widow played by Shelley Winters. Powell plans to steal $10,000 hidden by her executed husband, and his motives are discovered by the widow’s terrified children.
Also Read: Universal Pulls 'Wicked' From Release Slate,...
Orton previously wrote “Operation Finale,” starring Oscar Isaac and Sir Ben Kingsley, which MGM released to excellent reviews and a strong performance at the box office in 2018. Since then, Orton has written “Battle of Britain,” which Ridley Scott will direct, and is currently writing the live-action family-adventure movie, “Knights,” for Disney.
The 1955 film directed by actor Charles Laughton (and the only film he ever directed), starred Robert Mitchum as a sublimely sinister traveling preacher turned serial killer named Harry Powell, who had tattooed knuckles and nefarious motives for marrying a fragile widow played by Shelley Winters. Powell plans to steal $10,000 hidden by her executed husband, and his motives are discovered by the widow’s terrified children.
Also Read: Universal Pulls 'Wicked' From Release Slate,...
- 4/7/2020
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Universal Pictures is remaking “The Night of the Hunter,” a 1955 film adaptation based on the novel by Davis Grubb.
Matt Orton (“Operation Finale”) is penning the script. Though little is known about the new project, it is expected to be a contemporary version of the original thriller, rather than a period piece.
“The Night of the Hunter” follows a religious fanatic, con man and murderer who marries a widow, knowing that her deceased husband had hid $10,000 from authorities following a bank robbery. The widow’s young children are reluctant to tell him where their real dad hid the money as the man plots more sinister ways to find where to find the cash. The 1955 version, starring Robert Mitchum, was considered controversial at the time, given dark themes including Mitchum’s character preying on young children.
Peter Gethers will produce alongside Amy Pascal, who will produce through her Universal-based Pascal Pictures.
Matt Orton (“Operation Finale”) is penning the script. Though little is known about the new project, it is expected to be a contemporary version of the original thriller, rather than a period piece.
“The Night of the Hunter” follows a religious fanatic, con man and murderer who marries a widow, knowing that her deceased husband had hid $10,000 from authorities following a bank robbery. The widow’s young children are reluctant to tell him where their real dad hid the money as the man plots more sinister ways to find where to find the cash. The 1955 version, starring Robert Mitchum, was considered controversial at the time, given dark themes including Mitchum’s character preying on young children.
Peter Gethers will produce alongside Amy Pascal, who will produce through her Universal-based Pascal Pictures.
- 4/7/2020
- by Justin Kroll
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Disney is in development on live-action family-adventure movie Knights, set in the European Middle Ages.
We understand the original pic will follow a headstrong young woman who joins a knight on his quest to destroy a world-threatening artefact before it falls into the wrong hands. The screenplay is being worked on by Matt Orton, who scripted 2018 MGM feature Operation Finale, starring Oscar Isaac, Ben Kingsley and Mélanie Laurent.
This one, still in early development, is being shepherded by the Disney live-action team with execs Jessica Virtue and Chaz Salembier overseeing. We understand it is likely to be a theatrical project rather than a Disney+ title.
Production VP Virtue is among the most senior women in the studio’s live-action team and has worked on upcoming movies including the big-budget reboot of Mulan with Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen, Jett Li, Jason Scott Lee and Li Gong; Cruella with Emma Stone...
We understand the original pic will follow a headstrong young woman who joins a knight on his quest to destroy a world-threatening artefact before it falls into the wrong hands. The screenplay is being worked on by Matt Orton, who scripted 2018 MGM feature Operation Finale, starring Oscar Isaac, Ben Kingsley and Mélanie Laurent.
This one, still in early development, is being shepherded by the Disney live-action team with execs Jessica Virtue and Chaz Salembier overseeing. We understand it is likely to be a theatrical project rather than a Disney+ title.
Production VP Virtue is among the most senior women in the studio’s live-action team and has worked on upcoming movies including the big-budget reboot of Mulan with Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen, Jett Li, Jason Scott Lee and Li Gong; Cruella with Emma Stone...
- 9/18/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The Brit List, the annual survey of British film executives’ favorite unproduced screenplays (similar to the Black List in the U.S.), was unveiled Monday in London with “Benny in the Dark,” a supernatural thriller by Phillip Morgan, heading the list.
The film, which garnered nine recommendations, is a “character-driven 1950s-set allegory for the unspoken societal fears around male depression.” It will be produced by House Productions, the company headed by Tessa Ross, the former controller of film and drama at Channel 4, and Juliette Howell, the former head of television at Working Title.
Morgan, whose credits include 2017 short “Blackmoor,” has another features screenplay in development, “E for English,” with Blue Shadow Films.
Following closely with eight recommendations was thriller/drama “Surge,” written by Rupert Jones and Rita Kalnejais, and set to be produced by Rooks Nest, BBC Films and Creative England. The film, set over 24 hours, is “a stripped-back...
The film, which garnered nine recommendations, is a “character-driven 1950s-set allegory for the unspoken societal fears around male depression.” It will be produced by House Productions, the company headed by Tessa Ross, the former controller of film and drama at Channel 4, and Juliette Howell, the former head of television at Working Title.
Morgan, whose credits include 2017 short “Blackmoor,” has another features screenplay in development, “E for English,” with Blue Shadow Films.
Following closely with eight recommendations was thriller/drama “Surge,” written by Rupert Jones and Rita Kalnejais, and set to be produced by Rooks Nest, BBC Films and Creative England. The film, set over 24 hours, is “a stripped-back...
- 11/19/2018
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Unrepped writer Richard Galazka’s romantic comedy Matinee Idol and Malachi Smyth’s Gateway 6 topped the annual Brit List of best unproduced screenplays. Both projects received nine votes. The list is compiled by UK producers, agents, distributors and sales companies, who aren’t allowed to vote for their own projects. Other qualifying criteria include receiving a minimum of three votes and not having featured on previous Brit Lists.
Previous films to appear on the Brit List include The King’s Speech, Welcome To The Punch, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and most recently The Riot Club.
Matinee Idol is being produced by Rooks Nest Entertainment. Sentinel Entertainment is behind Gateway 6, a futuristic sci-fi project. 42, one of the UK’s most dynamic production and management companies, had two projects on the shortlist: Jay Basu’s The Pier and Outside The Wire, from screenwriting duo Rowan Athale and Rob Yescombe
There were 140 entries,...
Previous films to appear on the Brit List include The King’s Speech, Welcome To The Punch, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and most recently The Riot Club.
Matinee Idol is being produced by Rooks Nest Entertainment. Sentinel Entertainment is behind Gateway 6, a futuristic sci-fi project. 42, one of the UK’s most dynamic production and management companies, had two projects on the shortlist: Jay Basu’s The Pier and Outside The Wire, from screenwriting duo Rowan Athale and Rob Yescombe
There were 140 entries,...
- 11/20/2014
- by Ali Jaafar
- Deadline
Rom-com and sci-fi top industry selection of hot unproduced screenplays.Scroll down for full list
Romantic comedy Matinee Idol by writer Richard Galazka and sci-fi Gateway 6 by Malachi Smyth lead this year’s Brit List, the industry selection of hot unproduced screenplays.
Both scripts recorded nine industry votes to top the list.
Rooks Nest Entertainment are producing Matinee Idol, about a cinephile who tries to win a girl’s heart by pretending to be someone he’s not, only to learn that it takes more than grand gestures to turn fantasy into reality.
Sentinel Entertainment are behind futuristic sci-fi Gateway 6, in which on a war-ravaged Earth, four soldiers man the last bastion – an outpost in a sea-covered continent.
Jay Basu’s The Pier, produced by 42, and Krysty Wilson-Cairns’ Aether, from FilmNation, followed with eight votes.
The list is compiled by a combination of UK producers, agents, distributors and sales companies.
There were 140 entries...
Romantic comedy Matinee Idol by writer Richard Galazka and sci-fi Gateway 6 by Malachi Smyth lead this year’s Brit List, the industry selection of hot unproduced screenplays.
Both scripts recorded nine industry votes to top the list.
Rooks Nest Entertainment are producing Matinee Idol, about a cinephile who tries to win a girl’s heart by pretending to be someone he’s not, only to learn that it takes more than grand gestures to turn fantasy into reality.
Sentinel Entertainment are behind futuristic sci-fi Gateway 6, in which on a war-ravaged Earth, four soldiers man the last bastion – an outpost in a sea-covered continent.
Jay Basu’s The Pier, produced by 42, and Krysty Wilson-Cairns’ Aether, from FilmNation, followed with eight votes.
The list is compiled by a combination of UK producers, agents, distributors and sales companies.
There were 140 entries...
- 11/20/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
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