They're baaaaaack!
A TV series based on '80s supernatural horror classic, Poltergeist, is in early development from Amazon and MGM Studios. It's assumed that the project will debut on the Prime Video streaming service, but that's yet to be confirmed.
Variety broke the news, but don't have very much to add, beyond the fact that the show will "be set within the world of the film." No writer or director is attached at this time, but Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey will executive produce on behalf of Amblin Television.
The original came out in 1982, and despite often being mistaken as a Steven Spielberg movie, it was actually helmed by The Texas Chainsaw Massacre director Tobe Hooper. Spielberg was heavily involved as a co-writer and producer, however, and some believe he may also have stepped behind the camera for certain scenes. In fact, there's speculation that he really did direct the majority of the film, but couldn't officially put his name on it because he was contractually unable to helm another project while he was in the process of completing E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
Whatever the case may be, Poltergeist certainly has a Spielbergian feel, and aside from a couple of scenes (the infamous face-peel and last act clown attack), really plays out more like a supernatural family drama than an outright horror movie.
The story focuses on the Freeling family, who turn to a parapsychologist and a spiritual medium for help when the youngest daughter, Carol Anne, is contacted by and ultimately kidnapped by an evil entity known as "The Beast," who is also controlling the restless spirits of the people buried on the property.
A remake was released back in 2015, but was a critical and commercial flop despite a strong cast led by Sam Rockwell and Rosemarie DeWItt. There was also an earlier small-screen spin-off titled Poltergeist: The Legacy, which aired on Showtime for three seasons before a fourth and final season moved to Sci-Fi Channel in 1999. The show followed a worldwide group known as The Legacy as they protected mankind from supernatural dangers.
What do you make of this news? Check out the trailer for the original below, and be sure to drop us a comment in the usual place.
"Strange and creepy happenings beset an average California family, the Freelings -- Steve (Craig T. Nelson), Diane (JoBeth Williams), teenaged Dana (Dominique Dunne), eight-year-old Robbie (Oliver Robins), and five-year-old Carol Ann (Heather O'Rourke) -- when ghosts commune with them through the television set. Initially friendly and playful, the spirits turn unexpectedly menacing, and, when Carol Ann goes missing, Steve and Diane turn to a parapsychologist and eventually an exorcist for help."