More than a few were skeptical when the Alexandre Aja-directed remake of slasher-classic "Maniac" was announced, with Elijah Wood stepping into the gnarled, grotesquely-unattractive shoes of Joe Spinell. But they seem to have found a way around this, as Wood revealed to MTV at Sundance that the film was, "…entirely in P.O.V. You only ever see me in reflections and occasionally there are out-of-body experiences where you see more of me." While it's a dubious proposition to capture a film with a time and location so integral to its own identity, a fresh approach like this seems wise. Consider this: it could have easily become a found-footage movie.
Dutch director Jan de Bont, best known for "Speed," hasn't been heard from since 2003's "Lara Croft, Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life." It's charitable to say he washed out after becoming a big studio go-to guy, though Deadline reports he's returned with a deal to direct "Five Minutes To Live." The film is a remake of an earlier effort that dates back to 1961, featuring Johnny Cash singing the theme song and starring as one half of a bank robbing duo who holds a manager's wife hostage, threatening her unless money can be wired to their accounts. The sinister thriller is also known under the title "Door-To-Door Maniac." The script is from Raul Inglis, whose most significant credit is probably the direct-to-DVD Dolph Lundgren thriller "Icarus." You can watch the original in its entirety below.
"American Horror Story" and "Glee" creator Ryan Murphy is teaming with "Apollo 18" writer Brian Miller on a new project, an untitled sci-fi/horror movie at Sony, reports Variety. The pitch is under wraps, though it sounds a ways away, as Murphy is currently casting his next directorial effort, "The Normal Heart," with Julia Roberts, Mark Ruffalo, Alec Baldwin, Matt Bomer and Jim Parsons, with Viggo Mortensen still on his wish list. Miller, meanwhile, is also working on an untitled sci-fi thriller for Paramount, and apparently still being asked to write genre scripts after "Apollo 18." Cheers to perseverance.
"Who Can Kill A Child?" Well, if you answered the two guys from "Y Tu Mama Tambien," then bravissimo! This one seems to have been flying completely under the radar, but it first word of it has arrived courtesy of Screen Daily who reveal that the movie (along with a clip of footage) is headed to the European Film Market next month to try and land some sales. Some further digging brought up a story from Mexican site Ultra Televison revealing Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal are producers on an upcoming remake of that chiller classic, also often called "Island Of The Damned," but now called "Child's Play" (wait a second…). Vinessa Shaw, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Daniel Gimenez Cacho will feature in the film about a harried couple who try to vacation alone on an island conquered by feral children. So, pretty much like every vacation spot in the world. The single-named Makinov (your guess is as good as ours) directs. Trailer for the original below.
Finally, EW has your first look at "7500," from "Ju-On" director Takashi Shimizu. Ryan Kwanten and Amy Smart play a couple who end up among the few survivors during a haunted commercial flight. If anything, the pic confirms it will take place on a plane, and establishes that there is a cast of at least five people who will ocassionally look at things. Jerry Ferrara and Scout Taylor-Compton co-star, with the film hitting DVD shelves coming to theaters August 31st. Full image below.
Aja is only co-scripting and co-producing "Maniac." The director, Franck Khalfoun, gives extreme pause as his debut effort "P2" was one of the more dubious genre entries of the last generation, making Aja's remakes look classic in comparison.
Heads up: Over here in Mexico it's a well-known secret that The Who Can Kill A Child? remake produced by Canana, Diego Luna/Gael GarcÃa Bernal's production company, is supposed to be helmed by Gerardo Naranjo, the director of Miss Bala.