Rob Zombie to write/direct remake of The Blob

[Brent L]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...ryId=2430&cs=1

After reviving the "Halloween" franchise, Rob Zombie will next reinvent "The Blob."

Zombie will write, direct and produce a remake of the 1958 horror classic that launched the career of Steve McQueen. Production will begin next spring.

Zombie's deal to make "The Blob" his next film comes as Dimension opens "Halloween II," the Zombie-directed sequel to his 2007 hit "Halloween."

In the original "Blob," an object from space crashes into a field, containing a red blob-like substance that absorbs the humans it contacts and grows exponentially. While Zombie was a fan of the original, he's formulated a decidedly different take that he would not reveal.

"My intention is not to have a big red blobby thing -- that's the first thing I want to change," Zombie said. "That gigantic Jello-looking thing might have been scary to audiences in the 1950s, but people would laugh now."

Zombie will produce with Genre Co.'s Richard Saperstein and Brian Witten; original "Blob" producer Jack H. Harris; and Judith Parker Harris of Worldwide Entertainment Corp.

Saperstein, the former Dimension Films president who developed a relationship with Zombie while they worked on "Halloween," said that funding is in place to make an R-rated film that will cost around $30 million. The budget model is similar to that of recent fright fare like "Cloverfield" and "District 9," and they expect to firm a distribution deal before production begins. Genre Co. is in pre-production on the independently financed, Darren Bousman-directed remake "Mother's Day."

"I'd been looking to break out of the horror genre, and this really is a science fiction movie about a thing from outer space," Zombie said. "I intend to make it scary, and the great thing is I have the freedom once again to take it in any crazy direction I want to."

Zombie has begun writing. He'll follow the release of "Halloween II" with a new album and tour this fall and get the script done at that time.

Shara Kay and Jeremy Platt will be "Blob" co-producers, and David Mendez is exec producer.

Zombie’s repped by ICM and managed by Spectacle Entertainment’s Andy Gould.

http://weblogs.variety.com/bfdealmem...the-blob-.html

`I’d been looking to break out of the horror genre, and this really is a science fiction movie about a thing from outer space,' Zombie said. `I intend to make it scary, and the great thing is, I have the freedom once again to take it in any crazy direction I want to. Even more than `Halloween,' where I had to deal with accepted iconic characters like Michael Myers and Laurie Strode. `The Blob’ is more concept than specific storyline with characters, so I can go nuts with it.'

Zombie has begun writing. While he’ll follow the release of `H2' with a new album and tour this fall, he’ll complete the script at that time.

`I usually follow a movie by putting out a record and going on tour, and I write the script during that tour,' he said. `The tour will take me through Christmas.'

Though Zombie is once again tackling subject matter considered iconic to fright mavens, he’ll repeat his `Halloween' strategy of not being overly reverential.

`I feel good about `H2’ in that it’s far superior to the first film I made, and has no relationship to anything that came before it, or that was in the John Carpenter film,' Zombie said. `My job as director is to carry out my vision. I won’t be pushed around or persuaded in any other direction, and I tell them if that doesn’t work, save the heartache and fire me right now. When you’re out there shooting at 4 AM, you can’t remember notes you got from somebody months ago. What I’m told is, we want you to do your thing, so go for it.'

[TomOpus]

He should just do a remake of Caltiki

[NoirFan]

Let the threadcrapping begin!

[Matthew Chmiel]

Godfuckingdamnit.

I'm guessing with TWC near bankruptcy, Zombie will never get to move forward with Tyrannosaurus Rex until he can secure the rights back.

[Groucho]

No doubt we'll get an hour and 45 minutes of "The Blob's" backstory, and 15 minutes of actual remake.

[gryffinmaster]

... erm. Alright. That's certainly news.

[MBoyd]

I saw the 1988 Blob remake in the theater. I don't really see the point now either.

[critterdvd]

I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt. In the article from variety it mentions that Zombie is trying to slowly break out of the horror genre. This could be a pretty interesting film from many different standpoints.

Although I have to say I'm glad the rumor's of him helming "Critters" 2.0 is now gone.

[Zen Peckinpah]

Knowing Rob Zombie, the new "Blob" is an undead John Wayne Gacy. And why fix something if it isn't broke? Although I prefer the Johnny Drama one to Steve McQueen, such an underrated film.

[Supermallet]

I never really thought The Blob was a particularly great concept in the first place, and that, combined with the slow death that is Halloween II, means I will probably never see this.

[Solid Snake PAC]

I've never seen the Blob. I know of it, I've seen the trailer etc. I guess...I should watch this thing. I dunno...I just have a real hard time with that era's scifi/horror stuff. Hrm...

[dhmac]

So that means the blob will now have white trash blob parents, who abuse it which makes it twisted and want to kill, which it then does again and again.

[RocShemp]

So if Rob Zombie doesn't want the Blob to be, well, a blob, how the hell is this even to be a remake?

Originally Posted by dhmac

So that means the blob will now have white trash blob parents, who abuse it which makes it twisted and want to kill, which it then does again and again.

Damn. You beat me to it.

[SethDLH]

-The Blob rules.
-The Blob remake rules.
-Rob Zombie's white trash, no jello mass blob that is somehow not a horror movie will not rule.

[tylergfoster]

I didn't like The Blob remake. Cool gore effects, but I thought the movie was lame otherwise.

[KillerCannibal]

"You'll never top me, bro!"


Is it April 1st already? Give me a fucking break.

[Kurtie Dee]

well, he's certainly found his niche! (still love white zombie, tho')

[AmityBoatTours]

i can just imagine how he is going to remake the blob. luckily the only thing i really enjoyed in the blob was Shawnee smith in the 1988 remake.

one question though how can you make a movie called the blob if it doesnt feature a BLOB?

in anycase anything that keeps him far far away from another Halloween movie is good news in my book.
Heres hopeing that if H2 does kill of TWC, that another company perhaps Oveture (which would be a perfect fit considering its apart of Anchor Bay's parent company Starz) could come in and take over any future film rights.

[riotinmyskull]

mr. 'remakes are lame' makes ANOTHER remake? give me a fucking break.

[Josh-da-man]

Originally Posted by Rockmjd23

I wonder what role his bad-acting wife will have.

Pole dancing and showing her ass crack.

[Matthew Ackerly]

So, Zombie goes form bashing remakes, to now making 2 of his last 3 films remakes. Funny.

[The Bus]

What, no Werewolf Women of the SS?

[Sean O'Hara]

"My intention is not to have a big red blobby thing -- that's the first thing I want to change," Zombie said. "That gigantic Jello-looking thing might have been scary to audiences in the 1950s, but people would laugh now."

The Blob should be more jello like. Instead of a bit of jelly that slides and drips around dissolving things, it should look like a giant jello mold -- with human body parts dissolving inside it.

[notkevinbacon]

Originally Posted by Matthew Ackerly

Instead of a "big jello thing" he will probably turn him into just a big, fat, overweight, redneck that terrorizes people

Dude, I don't know if you are being serious... but yes, this is what I was picturing, too. A giant gelatinous man that would suck people into his acidic belly and they would just dissolve and melt away.

Or even worse, just a big fat hillbilly.

IMHO, i wish Zombie would get back into his Dragula and get the fuck out of hollywood.


And the 1988 remake holds a special place in my heart, the first few kills in that movie have some gruesome and remarkably well aged special effects.

[DRG]

I heard Sheri Moon Zombie plans on gaining 400 lbs for the role.