Stephen King’s ‘Pet Sematary’ Headed Back To The Big Screen

Stephen King’s Pet Sematary is on its way back to the big screen.

Although the creepy novel was successfully adapted back in the late 80s, Paramount Pictures is apparently determined to reboot the classic horror tale for a new generation. The project was originally announced several years ago, but it’s been quite some time since we’ve heard any major news about the upcoming flick.

According to Variety, the Stephen King story is getting the reboot treatment courtesy of 28 Weeks Later director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. However, there’s still no word about a release dating as of this writing.

While Fresnadillo is all set to helm the adaptation of King’s Pet Sematary, he probably won’t provide the script. Worst Previews points out that 1408 and Reign of Fire scribe Matthew Greenberg was originally hired three years ago to pen the screenplay alongside David Kajganich. Of course, Fresnadillo could always make some changes to the tale down the road.

At one stage in this particular cinematic game, Haute Tension and Piranha 3D director Alexandre Aja was previously attached to direct the reboot. For reasons that still remain unclear, he dropped out of the project.

Stephen King’s Pet Sematary told the story of an ancient burial ground that has the power to bring animals — and people — back from the dead. Not surprisingly, it doesn’t take long for things to get completely out of control. Director Mary Lambert’s 1989 adaptation made approximately $57 million at the box office and spawned a sequel.

This isn’t the only King story to get rebooted in recent days. Boys Don’t Cry director Kimberly Peirce recently adapted the legendary horror author’s classic novel Carrie. The modern retelling of the story starred Julianne Moore and Chloe Grace Moretz.

Rush director Ron Howard is also working on his own Stephen King adaptation. The filmmaker has attempted to get The Dark Tower off the ground for several years. Despite numerous setbacks, Howard still seems determined to make the project happen.

“‘The Dark Tower’ is something that we’re still working on. We’ve all taken a vow of silence about the progress, because I don’t think I realized how much media interest there was and how much excitement there was,” the filmmaker recently explained to Empire magazine.

Despite his obvious enthusiasm for the project, it’s still unknown when or if The Dark Tower will find its way onto the big screen. Fans of the book should keep their fingers crossed.

Are you a fan of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary? What do you think about the reboot?

[Image via Paramount Pictures]