LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - New Line Cinema is in final negotiations with filmmaker Don Coscarelli to bring the cult horror film "Phantasm" back to the big screen.

The first "Phantasm," which Coscarelli wrote and directed, was released in 1979. It told the story of a young boy named Mike and his friends, who face off against a mysterious grave-robber known as the Tall Man and his killer flying spheres. The film spawned three sequels, all of which were made by Coscarelli.

Coscarelli would act as producer on the new version, in which the Tall Man travels from town to town turning the dead into his own army and using his deadly spheres against anyone who opposes him. Mike, who is developing psychic powers, and his brother try to stop him. The movie is being developed as a relaunch and as a possible trilogy about Mike's coming of age.

Coscarelli said three elements made the franchise stand out in the horror field: the Tall Man, played by Angus Scrimm, the spheres and the setting.

"One thing that caused nightmares is that 'Phantasm' dealt with a reality that we as a society don't like to talk about, and that's death. The goings-on in a mortuary is not something that is really explored much, and I think the movies tapped into people's fears."

Back in New Line's early days, company founder Bob Shaye made an unsuccessful bid for "Phantasm," which ultimately was released by Avco Embassy.

Said Coscarelli, "I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to introduce a new generation to the saga, and I'm happy that (New Line executive) Jeff Katz, who was very aggressive, and New Line are intent on staying true to the original spirit of the movies."

Katz championed the project at the company through a courting and negotiation process that took more than a year and a half.

Coscarelli also co-wrote and directed 1982's "The Beastmaster" and wrote and directed "Bubba Ho-tep" (2002), which starred Bruce Campbell (news) and the late Ossie Davis as nursing-home residents Elvis Presley and John F. Kennedy, battling a mummy.

Anchor Bay will release his 1976 feature "Kenny & Company" on DVD in the summer.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

So much for Phantasm's End I guess.

Definitely would prefer to see them making Phantasm's End.

More sequels? Didnt they make like 5 other ones and run it into the ground?
How about Freddie vs. Jason vs. Michael Myers vs. The tall Man?

I, for one, think this could be awesome.

"Booyyyyyyy..."

the original was not a good film, stylistically or creatively.

I completely disagree.

Never saw it. But I'd see it in theaters because "he's the guy who made Bubba Ho Tep".

Until he meets ASH! Tall Man vs. Ash? How cool would that be???

Anyway, this sounds like it'll be a alright idea. I'll check it out.

I agree with your disagreement. The original's low budget added to the creepy effect, IMHO. Yes, there was bad acting. Yes, there were a few wtf? moments. The movie is still a horror classic.

Scared the crap out of me when I was a kid. Still does, even though I've seen it an untold # of times.

So will this be a re-imagining like Bay's Texas Chainsaw Massacre, or another entry in the series? Coscarelli's involvement leads me to believe that it will be another installment if he is directing, but if he is just producing and writing, I think it should try the re-imagining route.

From the article:
Mike was in his 30's in Phantasm IV, so he'd be a little old for a coming of age.

I thought Phantasm II was one of the better horror sequals I'd seen. Never saw 3 or OblIVian.

The theme music is great! Right up there with the Halloween score.

So is the Tall Man still alive then? I don't see how the movie could work without him.

Do we really need a remake of this?

The Phantom was definitely a case where they should have looked into modifying the costume.

So this will be a PT I guess? Never saw many of the originals, just bits and pieces on late night Cinemax growing up.

I think the first film doesn't hold up well, and isn't that great of a film. There are parts that are great, but there's a lot of crap in there as well. I love part 2 and 3, however.

Frankly, I love this idea. As much as I like Phanstam 2 & 3 and Bubba Ho Tep, I don't think Don Coscarelli is a great director. He's okay, but if they can someone with some talent to direct this and let Don be producer and writer then it could be really good. I always enjoyed the 'ideas' behind Phantasm more than the actual movies.

I agree with tdirgins agreement with DthRdrX disagreement. Phantasm scared the crap out of me, and it still spooks me. The movie has a very disturbing feel to it, and the music just freaks me out.

Yes, and still working/in good health, AFAIK. He guest starred on Alias a couple of times when the show was first starting out.

that's actually pretty funny!

i totally and emphatically disagree with all these disagreements to my initial complaint that this movie was not that good. i mean maybe if i didn't see it as an adult, but it was just not made well. the acting was horrible as most have mentioned. the threat of death was phooey as the . so phoney. i mean i know small budget, but so was friday the 13th & halloween and those was much more terrifying.
very goofy. the whole thing. no imminent threat of doom whatsoever in my opinion.

At work today, after looking round at the horror movie posters and discussing horror films today, I relaized every single film we mention was a remake or sequel.

Sigh.

IMO Phantasm is one of the best horror films ever made, it works with atmosphere so well and the music is just awesome..........plus who doesn't think Reggie is the coolest guy ever?

The remakes will be good if Reg & Angus are back.

Am I the only one that think part 2 was better than 1?

i would also like to see phantasm's end rather then rather this crap is coming out, a trilogy, yeah that seems plausible, with all respect to angus, he's old, if don doesn't direct then i will refuse to see this just like assault on precinct 13, the only good i see of this is the producer Shaye, who produced every nightmare movie, so i respect him because i love freddy and all that's come out of it.

oh and phantasm is in my top 20 of favorite movies, don't want to argue so i'll leave it as that

Another agreement here. The film is simply amazing. Theres just something about it that gets to you, and this is coming from someone who only just saw the film for the first time last year. (Not as an impressionable wee one)