A remake of a cult 1990s teen horror movie is currently in the works, with a Stranger Things star set to take on significant creative roles. In the horror genre, remakes, reboots, and legacy sequels have become quite common. Recent instances include David Gordon Green’s Halloween trilogy and The Exorcist: Believer, though the latter’s planned trilogy was scrapped. Scream (2022) and its sequel Scream 6 revived the slasher franchise, and a legacy sequel of I Know What You Did Last Summer is also on the way.
The movie being remade is Idle Hands. Originally released in 1999, it was a horror comedy directed by Rodman Flender with a script by Terri Hughes and Ron Milbauer. The plot centered around a teenage stoner whose hand gets possessed by a demonic force, leading to a killing spree. The original cast had the likes of Devon Sawa, Seth Green, Elden Henson, Jessica Alba, and Vivica A. Fox.
Now, an Idle Hands remake is in development. it reports that Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk have signed on to write the script and are being considered to direct. They made their directorial debut with the comedy-horror film Hell of a Summer. Jason Reitman, who will produce the project, said Finn and Billy have an original take on Idle Hands that captures a disaffected generation.
Our take on this Idle Hands remake is that it’s an exciting creative reunion. Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk previously worked together in Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Saturday Night, both directed by Jason Reitman. They also co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in Hell of a Summer, which was well-received. Neon acquired it for theatrical release. Given that Idle Hands initially failed commercially and critically but gained a cult following, it’ll be interesting to see how Wolfhard and Bryk can revitalize this teen horror movie.
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