It hasn’t arrived in theatres just yet, but already, the film is generating an enourmous amount of pre-release buzz, all of which is very positive. Each trailer has been better than the last and some are already hailing it as one of the most terrifying movies ever made. A bold claim, to be sure, but if director Andy Muschietti can deliver and give us a horrifying and well executed adaptation of Stephen King’s classic story, then you can bet that it won’t be the last time he works with the iconic author.
Indeed, it seems that the director already has his eye on updating another one of King’s novels: Pet Sematary. Of course, the tale was already adapted in 1989 by Mary Lambert to moderate critical and financial success, but that’s not to say it can’t use a fresh coat of paint, right?
For those unfamiliar, the story follows the Creed family as they move to a small town in the Northeast which borders a cemetery enabling the buried to return. Head of the family, Louis Creed thinks it’s far better to bring his loved ones back from the dead as murderous simulacra than let them rest in peace – but don’t worry, there’s plenty of interfering supporting characters to impart wisdom.
Speaking with the Toronto Sun, Muschietti noted that he’s a huge fan of the book and would love to take a shot at bringing it to theatres again.
“We’re huge fans of Pet Sematary. If we can get our hands on that and do the Pet Sematary we want to do, that will be something. One day, maybe.”
While it’s certainly exciting to think of the It director potentially dipping his toes in the Stephen King pool once more, he’s far from the first name to be attached to an updated take on Pet Sematary.
If you recall, a few years ago, Paramount were pursuing the man who loves to remake, Alexandre Aja (Pirahna, The Hills Have Eyes), to whip this gestating project into shape… but nothing happened. Not to mention that Juan Carlos Fresnadillo also briefly flirted with the flick. Of course, there’s every chance that this time the remake will actually get off the ground, but we’ll have to wait and see.
For now, it sounds more just like wishful thinking on Muschietti’s part. Though if It proves to be a success – which we imagine it will – then the director will surely be in a good position to choose his next job, and if he has his sights set on Pet Sematary, then we expect that the project will start to pick up some steam and perhaps finally come to fruition.