I was surpirsed to find that RKO Pictures is still actively making movies – for some reason, I thought the production company just didn’t exist anymore, as I think of them solely as one of the company’s in the old Hollywood era of the 40s and 50s, making black and white adventures and the like. But apparently… that’s not that case.
According to Variety, RKO is alive and kickin’, and has just launched Roseblood Movie Co., a subsidary of RKO out to remake an assload (i.e., eight) RKO horror flick’s from the 40s. This is right after an agreement was reached between RKO and the Writer’s Guild, so they’re wasting no time greenlighting ‘new’ projects and getting them started with a quickness!
So what flick’s are up to be remade? LADY SCARFACE (from writer Tm Puryear), WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS (written by Shin Shimosawa and Jim Morris), THE MONKEY’S PAW (from Todd Farmer!), THE SEVENTH VICTIM, BEDLAM, BODYSNATCHER, FIVE CAME BACK, and I WALK WITH A ZOMBIE.
Talk about a line up! Plus, Todd Farmer’s in the house? I’m a fan of JASON X, and I’m stoked he’s the one bringing THE MONKEY’S PAW back to life; though, truth be told, I haven’t seen any of the mentioned films here, so they’re almost like ‘new’ movies rather than remakes for me. Cool!
RKO Ted Hartley had this to say on his reasoning to remake these film’s from RKO’s vaults: The most successful ROI in the movie business comes from scary movies that get wide release and cost under $10 million. We’ve studied it extensively for our stockholders and investors and we saw the opportunity to take the rich Val Lewton library of scary thrillers and create a unique company out of it.
At least he’s honest! This is showbusiness afterall, right? Anyway, they’re looking to make all eight within a 24 month period, beginning later this fall. Coolio! Can’t wait to see what they come up with – and it’ll be interesting to see whether they’re looking for the theatrical treatment, or shooting for STD. More on the Roseblood Movie Co.’s remake craze as it moves forward!
Nothing says classic schlock like a classic hottie headlining the show!
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