Medusa: Anna Chazelle to write, direct film for Fangoria Studios

Anna Chazelle is set to write, direct, and executive produce a currently untitled horror film for Fangoria Studios that is said to be inspired by the Greek legend of Medusa. If you’re not familiar with Medusa, Deadline has a helpful description of the character:

Medusa was one of three Gorgon sisters with venomous snakes for hair, whose gaze could turn those around her to stone. The creature met her end at the hands of the demigod Perseus, who used her head as a weapon before giving it to the goddess Athena for placement on her shield.

Medusa is probably best known these days for her appearances in the Clash of the Titans movies.

Tara Ansley, Armen Aghaeian, and Abhi Goel will be producing this Medusa movie for Fangoria Studios. Phil Wurtzel of Friel Films serves as executive producer alongside Chazelle.

Aghaeian had this to say about the project:

Medusa is a global icon, yet her story has been overlooked for far too long. Anna’s interpretation of Medusa against the backdrop of Ancient Greece will make for a cinematic journey to remember.”

Chazelle added:

It’s easy to demonize Medusa, but her story is filled with justifiable feminine rage, both at the gods who created her and the mortals who seek to destroy her. I’m excited to dive into the tale of her nascence into the Greek pantheon, and hopefully challenge the widely-accepted definition of Medusa as a mere monster.”

This is the third Medusa project we’ve heard about in the last six months. The first Medusa was released on DVD in July (the trailer can be seen below), and the second is a Brazilian production that Music Box Films will be releasing in North America next summer.

We’ll keep you updated on Fangoria’s Medusa project as it continues to move forward.