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'Monster House' Helmer Gil Kenan to Direct Sam Raimi's 'Poltergeist'

by Ethan Anderton
March 7, 2013

Last spring there were rumblings that Sam Raimi (Evil Dead, Spider-Man, Oz: The Great and Powerful) might produce the new remake of Poltergeist set up at MGM. However, that story was quickly shot down and it was revealed that Raimi would only be producing the remake, much like his position on next month's Evil Dead. Since then we haven't heard any news about a potential director, but now Deadline has word that Monster House and City of Ember director Gil Kenan has been hired to direct the remake of the 1982 film directed by Tobe Hooper (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and also written and produced by Steven Spielberg.

For those who haven't seen the classic horror film, it follows a family (including Craig T. Nelson and Jobeth Williams) as parents of a household which turns from being their dream come true to a supernatural nightmare. It seems fitting that Kenan would direct this after his animated haunted house fare in Monster House, which Spielberg also executive produced. In fact, that film was one of the earliest films to be presented in 3D before it became a staple of theatrical releases. Perhaps MGM is looking to make the David Lindsay-Abaire (Oz: The Great and Powerful) scripted Poltergeist another 3D horror installment.

Filed under Development, Movie News

From around the web:

Tester

Yes, another remake... yes !!!!
grimjob

I'm as excited as ol' Tester there. Can't wait to see this wonderful reimagining of the classic! I'm sure it will bring a whole lot to the table, like most remakes. Nope, this won't be mediocre at all!
- Tester
  
  kick ass avatar pic there grimbjob !!
  - grimjob
    
    I thank you sir. All hail Cleef!
- Sanka
  
  'Nope, this won't be mediocre at all!' Riiiiggghhhttttt!
The Truth

This one deserves a good remake! Poltergeist was a fun popcorn movie in the 80's. Sam Raimi should make it better with an update storyline and special effects.
- Tester
  
  Yes because there are soooooooooo many good remakes out there !!!! Sorry, could not help the sarcasm.. Yes I would agree that it would be fun to see a good remake, unfortunately those are not very common
OfficialJab

Remake - ehhhhhh Poltergeist Remake - uh, hmmm Poltergesit by Raimi - HERE IS ALL OF MY MONEY
Stuart Allen

Gil Kenan SUCKS! Isn't he related to Zemeckis?! That's the only reason why Spielberg and Zemeckis chose him over other much more talented film students at USC. Don't believe me? Try watching City of Embers. Terrible terrible film.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Christopher-Philip-Cinquegrano/100000932639147 Christopher Philip Cinquegrano

I like it , reminds me of a story about a guy out in a cabin in the woods with his girlfriend an objects and people get possesed . I'm just glad Michael Bays crap horror company isn't producing this.
David Banner

"For those who haven't seen the classic horror film", it's on TNT/TCM every week; for the last two decades.
SteveG

I say please leave this one alone guys, POLTERGEIST is one of those films that could only have worked in the 80's and it worked mainly because of the suburban / family feel which was Spielberg's special brand of magic no one else has ever been able to duplicate - they should only have ever done one Poltergeist film to begin with it never needed a sequel and it doesn't need a remake
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Dawkins/100002207329301 Jim Dawkins

poltergeist does not need a remake.
castingcouch

Wow, I guess all the great ideas really have been all used up.