Taka Ichise, the Japanese producer responsible for THE GRUDGE series, has signed a three-year first look deal with Twentieth Century Fox. The deal covers English-language productions, but also gives Fox options in regards to certain Japanese-language projects as well.
Here’s a taste of what’s on his slate already –
He’s developing “The Entity” at Fox Searchlight, with Hideo Nakata (“Ringu,” “The Ring 2”) attached to direct. Also in development are an untitled horror project at Paramount, with director Takashi Shimizu (“Ju-On,” “The Grudge”) attached, for Ghost House Pictures and Vertigo Entertainment; a remake of “Creepshow” for Warner Bros.; and remakes of his Japanese horror pics “Infection” and “Premonition,” to be written by Channing Gibson and Keith Gordon, respectively, for New Line, also with Vertigo producing.
So clearly Fox is getting a lot of bang for their buck. I’ll be particularly interested to follow the remake of THE ENTITY, which I think is one of the best horror movies ever made until the third act when it completely falls apart. Maybe they’ll even bring Barbara Hershey back!