Ryan Murphy, creator of GLEE and AMERICAN HORROR STORY, is working to develop a remake of the cult classic THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN. The Hollywood Reporter says Murphy and Jason Blum will be producing the remake at MGM with Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (Second Unit director for BABEL and ARGO) making his feature debut directing from a script by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (CARRIE).
The original film was released in 1976, and told the story of a serial killer dubbed the Phantom Killer murdered several people, throwing communities into fear. He was never caught. The film was made in a documentary style which will be retained for the found footage remake.
This sounds like an interesting project. While I am getting a little tired of found footage films, if done right they truly can be as scary as any standard narrative movie.
Murphy has had an interest in horror which has served him well on the first two seasons of AMERICAN HORROR STORY. I have enjoyed both seasons very much, especially the performances of Jessica Lange. While it is already known Lange will be back for the third season, Murphy has also confirmed Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters will be back. Rumors are swirling that the next season will switch the story to a Southern locale and take more of a Gothic approach.
Murphy shed some light on what to expect in Season 3: “We want to have some new people come in and some [Season 1] people come back,” said Murphy. “I’m also interested in getting into a horror romance. That’s certainly something that’s going to be in the water for season three. You’re going to see a very different tone in season three, but that’s the joy of the show. I think as a person right now I do feel lighter and wanting to embrace something a bit more fun.”
Both projects should turn out well. AMERICAN HORROR STORY will return around Halloween 2013. THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN has no release date yet.
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