‘Poltergeist’ Remake A Children’s Movie; Lead Actor Sam Rockwell Confirms New Film To Come Out On 3D; Focus Of Story Has Shifted Characters; Moderate Content Expected To Help In Box Office Revenues
The upcoming "Poltergeist" remake will be a children's movie, according to one of its lead actors. Will the new movie lose the scares conjured by the original?
The "Poltergeist" remake is an attempt to bring back the classic to a new generation of audiences. The original was notable for its plot and its scares, also for one of Drew Barrymore's earliest film credits. Sam Rockwell is part of the new cast for the movie, and he said it will be more "child-friendly," for rating purposes.
In addition to confirming the new "Poltergeist" would be shot in 3D, Rockwell also said the tone will be more child-friendly compared to the original, which brought solid scares on the premise of a family tormented by a ghost.
The Freeling family of the original film is replaced by the Bowens, with Eric (Rockwell), his wife Amy (played by Rosemarie Dewitt) and daughter Madison (played by Kennedi Clements) moving into a new house; Madison is eventually abducted.
Rockwell said the focus of the movie has shifted characters this time.
"The 10-year-old boy is really the protagonist this time. JoBeth Williams was the protagonist for the most part in the first one and now the kid, it's really through his point-of-view. So it's more of a kids' movie so I don't know if it's gonna be like rated-R scary."
The "Poltergeist" remake will also dodge an R rating to bring in more people at the box offices. Restricted films usually mean less revenue, and it's worst cases a film's flop.
"It's not like Conjuring type of scary. You know, it's a different kind of movie. It's more of an adventure. It's essentially a child abduction film when you come down to it. I mean, the original Poltergeist is too."
"The Conjuring" was rated R for scares rather than violence or sexual scenes. The "Poltergeist" remake is slated for a July 24 release date (screenrant.com).
