Director David F. Sandberg will helm a new adaptation of the iconic Amityville Horror for Amazon MGM Studios.
The film is set to be produced by Peter Safran and John Rickard from The Safran Company, alongside Sandberg. Executive producers will include Natalia Safran and Lotta Losten of The Safran Company.
The screenplay is being crafted by Ian Goldberg and Richard Naing, who previously collaborated on the recent blockbuster, The Conjuring: Last Rites, which has already garnered close to $200 million worldwide. The new film seeks to reimagine the classic 1979 horror tale, which starred Josh Brolin, Margot Kidder, and Rod Steiger, and follows a young couple who discovers their dream home is haunted, based on Jay Anson’s novel of the same name.
The original Amityville Horror film remains a significant entry in the horror genre, grossing $86.4 million upon its release, while the 2005 remake, featuring Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George, earned $65.2 million. The franchise also includes various sequels such as Amityville II: The Possession, Amityville 3-D, and Amityville: The Awakening.
Director David F. Sandberg is noted for his work on films like Shazam! and Lights Out. His collaborators, Goldberg and Naing, have impressive portfolios including Fear The Walking Dead, The Nun II, and Once Upon a Time. Goldberg’s representation includes WME and New Wave Entertainment, while Naing is with Independent Artist Group and Circle Management + Production.
Safran has a strong track record within the horror genre, evident from his involvement in highly successful franchises like The Conjuring and Annabelle, as well as his role in the blockbuster superhero films Shazam! and Aquaman. He currently serves as the co-chairperson and co-CEO of DC Studios.
With a storied history and substantial audience interest, this reimagining of Amityville Horror is poised to capture the attention of both horror enthusiasts and newcomers to the franchise.
Based on reporting by Hollywood Reporter. Read the full story at Hollywood Reporter.