Eli Roth to Direct ‘Death Wish’ Remake for MGM, Paramount
Script was polished by “People v O.J. Simpson” writers Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski
Matt Donnelly | June 20, 2016 @ 12:01 PM
Last Updated: June 20, 2016 @ 4:47 PM
Eli Roth is tackling a remake of “Death Wish,” TheWrap has learned.
The 1974 original about a New York man turned vigilante after the murder of his wife is in development as a collaboration between MGM and Paramount, an individual familiar with the deal said.
Though he’s far from signed, Bruce Willis is attached to star in the project which got rewrites from Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, who recently completed “American Crime Story: The People v O.J Simpson.”
Roth was last behind the camera for 2015’s “Knock Knock,” starring Keanu Reeves as an unfaithful husband and father who pays a high price for a one-night stand with two devious girls. He’s also a stake owner in Crypt TV, an online network of horror content makers.
Through that effort, Roth has lents his eyes to a prolific stream of shorts along with CEO Jack Davis. The writer-director-producer, repped by WME and 3 Arts Entertainment, is currently in development on a sequel to his slacktivism slasher film “The Green Inferno.”
9 Christmas Horror Movies That Scared Up Box Office, From 'Gremlins' to 'Black Christmas' (Photos)
A look at top-grossing holiday shock-fests that have inspired ho-ho-horror -- including last year's "Black Christmas" remake.
9. "Silent Night" (2012)
Opening: $9,779
Cumulative: $14,567
Malcolm McDowell, Jaime King and Donal Logue star in the film about a murderous Santa who picks off people one by one.
Anchor Bay
8. "Better Watch Out" (2016)
Opening: $12,569
Cumulative: $20,369
Olivia DeJonge plays a babysitter who must protect a 12-year-old boy after a home invasion while his parents are out at a holiday party.
7. "Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale" (2010)
Opening: $9,281
Cumulative: $236,347
The film follows a group of people living near the Korvatunturi mountain who discover the secret behind Santa Claus.
Oscilloscope Pictures
6. "Anna and the Apocalypse" (2018)
Opening: $52,588 Cumulative: $545,597
In this comedic musical with grossout touches, a teenager and her friends ward off the zombie apocalypse when it comes at Christmas-time.
5. "Silent Night, Deadly Night" (1984)
Opening: $1.4 million Cumulative: $2.5 million
In the slasher film, a young boy loses his parents and years later becomes a spree killer in a Santa costume.
TriStar
4. "Black Christmas" (2019)
Opening: $4.2 million Cumulative: $10.4 million
A second remake of a 1974 Canadian film, starring Imogen Poots, Aleyse Shannon, Lily Donoghue and Brittany O'Grady, this slasher film about sorority sisters fighting off a stalker takes a stab at feminist themes.
3. "Black Christmas" (2006)
Opening: $3.7 million Cumulative: $16.3 million
Michelle Trachtenberg, Lacey Chabert and Katie Cassidy star in the slasher film about sorority girls getting murdered one by one (a remake of a 1974 Canadian film).
MGM
2. "Krampus" (2015)
Opening: $16.3 million Cumulative: $42.7 million
A boy in a dysfunctional family turns his back on Christmas -- and accidentally unleashes a demon force as a result.
1. "Gremlins" (1984)
Opening: $12.5 million Cumulative: $148.2 million
The movie follows a young boy who breaks rules and unleashes a horde of mischievous monsters.
Warner Bros.
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Top-grossing holiday shock-fests that have inspired ho-ho-horror — before this month’s “Black Christmas” remake
A look at top-grossing holiday shock-fests that have inspired ho-ho-horror -- including last year's "Black Christmas" remake.