News Archive
3-23-09 Another Juliet Snowden/Stiles White interview, this time from
http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/2022“Poltergeist,” on the other hand, is a much more specific story -- one family, one house. So, how to “update” that without just recycling it?
“”Poltergeist” was a seminal film for us, you know, in our lives, and it’s like your dad’s classic vintage car that’s been in the garage and you’re not allowed to touch it,” says White. “It’s treasured; it’s valuable. We see “Poltergeist” as if, um, as if we’re being handed the keys to the car and we’re gonna be really careful with it.”
Obviously, the couple are keeping specifics under wraps, but what White will say is this: “Poltergeist was a real snapshot of the American family in the year that it came out --1982 -- and I think what we would do with the reimaging of it is, ‘What is the American family up to today?’”
As long as it’s not a ghost-version of “Gossip Girl,” I say.
They both laugh. “No, I think that’d be the wrong way to go,” says White.
3-20-09 Juliet Snowden, currently co-writing the "Poltergeist" remake script with husband Stiles White, gave this interview March 19th to a local ABC affiliate in Louisiana:
http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/41531702.htmlIt looks like they're trying to do a thoughtful, updated re-working of the first film:
Snowden and her husband currently are working on a remake of Poltergeist, the 1982 horror hit co-written by Steven Spielberg. The couple also wrote an as-yet-not-produced remake of the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock classic, The Birds, for Universal.
Many remakes are sent Snowden and White’s way, she added.
“We won’t do certain things because we don’t believe we can add anything new. But with The Birds, you can take the concept of birds going crazy and put any backdrop of a story behind that. That’s how we felt about Poltergeist as well. A family whose daughter disappears in a house? We can do something original and reflective of the times that we live in with that.”
Being a married couple and male and female writing team works to her and her husband’s advantage in Hollywood, Snowden added.
“We’re writing an argument between a couple right now for Poltergeist,” she said. “It contains the kind of the things that my husband and I say to each other. A lot of who we are as a couple is on the page.
“And I had just become a mom while I was writing Knowing. I’d written things about parents and kids before, but until you have your own child you don’t know the intensity of the emotions a parent has. Before I had a kid, my biggest fear was my own death. Now that I have a kid, my biggest fear is my child’s death. I’d die a thousand times to protect him. Knowing that contributes to the writing.”
2-17-09 Check out this AWESOME new interview with Oliver Robins, courtesy of IconsofFright.com:
http://iconsoffright.com/news/2009/02/fright_exclusive_interview_oli.html Oliver has apparently ended his long time refusal to discuss the "Poltergeist" movies by talking in detail about what it was like on set. He's now a writer/director. In the above interview, he also discusses his new movie "Man OverBoard." You can check out the web site for that film here: http://manoverboardmovie.com/ In addition, if you'd like to see Oliver in person, he'll be making these upcoming convention appereances: Feb 27 to March 1 WonderCon--San Francisco, CAhttp://www.comic-con.org/wc/
April 17 to 19 Chiller Theatre--Parsippany, NJ
http://www.chillertheatre.com/main.htm1-12-09 Check out this recent audio interview from the American Society of Cinematographers:
http://theasc.com/magazine_dynamic/podcasts.phpCinematographer Matthew Leonetti, ASC and visual effects supervisor Richard Edlund, ASC sit down with American Cinematographer's Iain Stasukevich to discuss some of the classic techniques on display in the 1982 film Poltergeist.
Download:
MP3 Audio File (15MB)
10-09-08
Some of you may have seen the new Direct TV ad featuring Craig T. Nelson. Here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSyGF4PqSI8I thought it was very well done and entertaining. However, it seems like a lot of people have found it offensive to the memory of Heather O'Rourke. I don't think so; I view it as a tribute. Apparently her mother did too. Direct TV says they went to her before they produced the spot and she gave her blessing. I'm sure she was likely compensated as well. I haven't received official confirmation from Direct TV yet, but here is what one of their employees posted on a satellite TV message board: from
http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv-forum/150773-poltergeist-commercia l-directv.html"You have likely seen some posts out there about our new Poltergeist commercial, some speculating that the parents of the actress, late Heather O'Rourke might not approve of her being in the ad. Before we went forward with production on the Poltergeist spot, we ran the idea by Heather’s mother for her approval. Not only did she approve it, she thought the inclusion was a wonderful tribute to her daughter."
Notice that on the ad, when Heather says "They're here," it is a dubbed voice. Not sure why they had to change it. Perhaps copyright reasons or technical reasons. The side angle of Carol Anne walking over to the bed is clearly a double for Heather-she is taller.
I tried to get a statement from Craig T. Nelson about the ad, but he declined my request for an interview through his publicist. 9-8-08
Jobeth comments on the remake. She jokes that by the time it gets made, she might be old enough to play the grandmother ("Grandma Jess" from "Poltergeist II"):
http://blogs.amctv.com/monsterfest/2008/09/jobeth-williams-poltergeist.php 9-3-08MGM confirms the remake:
VADIM PERELMAN TO DIRECT MGM’S NEW ‘POLTERGEIST’ LOS ANGELES, CA September 3, 2008 –Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM) has signed Vadim Perelman (House of Sand and Fog) to direct POLTERGEIST.
Cale Boyter, Executive Vice President, Production and Luke Ryan, Vice President, Production, are overseeing the project for MGM.
“We are excited to have Vadim direct POLTERGEIST, a title which already has a built-in movie-going audience,” said Boyter. “With his established track record, we look forward to having him lead the creative direction on this new character-based horror project that will utilize the original film as a jumping off point.”
Currently directing and executive producing “Ice,” a drama pilot for the AMC cable network, Perelman wrote and directed House of Sand and Fog starring Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley, which earned 3 Oscar® nominations in 2004. Recently, Perelman directed The Life Before Her Eyes starring Uma Thurman and Evan Rachel Wood. Prior to his film and television work, Perelman established himself as one of the most sought-after directors of commercials and music videos, responsible for a number of memorable spots for multinational clients.
Perelman is represented by CAA, Simon Millar of Rumble Media and attorneys Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren and Richman.
The original POLTERGEIST was released by MGM in 1982 and earned 3 Oscar® nominations. The film gained a cult following spawning two sequels Poltergeist II: the Other Side and Poltergeist III, along with a television series “Poltergeist: The Legacy,” which aired for 4 seasons on the Showtime network (1996-1999). Juliet Snowden and Stiles White are writing the new POLTERGEIST script for the studio.
'Poltergeist' remake grabs two scribes
Juliet Snowden, Stiles White drafted for MGM film
Aug 19, 2008, 02:06 PM ET
The "Boogeyman" scribes are rolling out more children's nightmares for MGM's planned remake of "Poltergeist," the 1982 horror film that made "they're here ..." the creepiest announcement ever voiced by a 6-year-old kneeling in front of a static-filled television.
Horror thrillers are in Snowden and White's blood. The writers, repped by ICM, co-wrote the $46 million-grossing 2005 release "Boogeyman" for Sam Raimi and Ghost House. They've had a hand in the never-hatching remake of "The Birds" for Universal. And they've co-written "Knowing," a Summit Entertainment release directed by Alex Proyas and starring Nicolas Cage, that is due in March.
From
http://www.reuters.com/article/filmN...35356920080725
In resuscitating the MGM brand, Parent and company have been delving into the studio's library for remake material. Revamps of "Red Dawn," "Fame," "Poltergeist" and "Death Wish" are all in the works.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
So, it looks like MGM will soon be remaking "Poltergeist" after all. I've got mixed feelings on this. On the one hand I'm glad the studio is doing something new with the franchise, on the other I'm unhappy with the fact that the "Carol Anne grown up" sequel to the original films I was hoping to see will not be happening.
I did a little digging to try and find out some more about Michael Grais' treatment "Poltergeist: In the Shadows." Apparently MGM had considered doing a fourth film at one point, and "Shadows" is what Grais came up with. I can now confirm that his script would have been a "completely different story" which would not have featured an adult Carol Anne.
LOS ANGELES, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Marcia Smith, Executive
Director of The Screen Actors Guild Foundation, announced today that Award
Winning actress JoBeth Williams has been elected President of the SAG
Foundation, replacing retiring president Mitchell Ryan, who served the
foundation for the past 9 years.
"I am honored to have been elected president of the SAG foundation,"
JoBeth said, "it is an organization close to my heart because of its
extraordinary programs which help actors in need and introduce children
across the country to the joys of reading."
Founded in 1985, The Screen Actors Foundation is an educational,
humantarian and philanthropic non-profit organization, dedicated to
enhancing the quality of the lives of actors in need of assistance.
the swimming pool was Esther Williams' pool on the old MGM lot, and talked about the special effects. Very interesting- I didn't even know that! She also said that the pool scene was shot over a period of days, and that she was afraid to get in the pool, so Spielberg got in the pool with her. She also mentioned her role in 'Kramer vs. Kramer,' and a movie she directed called 'Frankie & Hazel.' She didn't mention anything about a fourth film, and whether she'd take part in it, and didn't talk about 'P3.' [Regarding the controversy of who really directed the original film, Spielberg or Hooper] She said that it
was a collaboration, and each contributed something to it."
Here's what a fellow blogger had to say:
from:
Anyway, the questions for the women were different than those for the men. They didn't get asked their favorite horror movies or authors. They didn't get asked about their male costars (as the men had been asked for the women) - except Langenkamp was asked about Englund (boring predictable question). Both panels did talk about remakes and sequels, coming down against the former. The women's attractiveness was remarked upon, but not the men's. The women were asked about "creepy fans" and "perverted costars" and what they're afraid of, three basically not all that dissimilar questions. The men didn't get asked those. Langenkamp had already mentioned how New Nightmare came out of a discussion with Craven about a rare troublesome fan, she said some fans love the movie or the character or whatever so much, they end up wanting something from the actor without even knowing what they want, and the actor obviously can't help them figure out what that is. Williams said she was afraid of this year's elections, which Plummer agreed with...
Williams had actually directed several shorts and one of them was Oscar-nominated! I hadn't known this, since they weren't horror. But I should have remembered she'd directed an episode of Night Visions and asked her about that - oh well.
http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/10437
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
We've been reporting here for months that a remake to Tobe Hopper/Steven Spielberg's Poltergeist was in the works, we even went as far as to report that Mandate Pictures was attempting to acquire the remake rights to the franchise (read more here). We can now 100% CONFIRM - without a shadow of a doubt - that Mandate Pictures will be producing the remake for MGM. This is a fact, this is done, this is not speculation and it's time to quit denying it. The remake won't happen until post-strike, so watch for news in 2008.
I've now got a full, detailed history of the "Poltergeist IV/Remake" rumors over the years posted:
http://www.poltergeistiii.com/poltergeistIV.html
It covers the period of the late 80s all the way up till now, and incorporates this latest news. I can't confirm that all the rumors are accurate, but I feel confidant in terms of the general timeline of events.
1. The family
2. The suburban setting
3. Ghosts coming out of the TV set
4. Paranormal investigators coming to the house
Michael claimed that the character of Tangina Barrons was his idea, and that he and Mark Victor came up with the idea of having the humor in the first half of the movie as you are introduced to the characters. It's unclear who came up with the idea of Carol Anne being kidnapped; Grais didn't mention it and the guys doing the interview didn't ask. Grais says that he and Mark Victor at first were told by Spielberg that he was in negotiations with another writer. 48 hours after negotiations with this writer broke down, Victor and Grais got the job (it's my understanding that the "other writer" was Stephen King, whose agent wanted more money than Spielberg was willing to pay).
Grais says that after he and Mark Victor did the first draft, Spielberg then "polished" the script. Grais didn't address how Spielberg's draft differed from theirs. On the second film, he says that even though Spielberg wasn't involved, he did "tacitly" endorse Michael's and Mark Victor's involvement (allegedly Spielberg retained a financial interest as well, from what I've heard).
Regarding "Poltergeist: In the Shadows," Grais seemed like he was dodging the question. He seemed perplexed as to why people were talking about it (the reason is that Grais himself has the title listed as being "in development" on his web site). He did say that he had written a treatment for what he called "Poltergeist III" but that MGM hadn't bought it and he hadn't been hired to write the script. I think he actually meant to say "Poltergeist IV." (Perhaps it's his version of what "Poltergeist III" should have been.)
UPDATE: I just confirmed with Michael's manager...he meant to say "Poltergeist IV."
10-28-07
In regards to your web site, unfortunately, Oliver does not do interviews, events or press for "Poltergeist," so we are going to have to respectfully pass on your offer.
Unrelated (or perhaps not), an interesting story about Oliver was recently posted online by one of his former college buddies. If true, it may shed some light on one of the reasons Oliver would rather not discuss the film anymore. For the story, click here:
www.poltergeistIII.com/confidential.html
10-15-07
Hosted by Don Shay, founder and publisher of Cinefex magazine, the program will feature an onstage panel discussion with producer Frank Marshall, supervising sound editors Stephen Hunter Flick and Richard L. Anderson, visual effects supervisor Richard Edlund, optical photography supervisor Bruce Nicholson, matte photographer Neil J. Krepela, and special effects makeup artist Craig Reardon. This screening will premiere a newly struck 35mm print from the Academy Film Archive.
The "Prime Tech" screening series, presented by the Academy's Science and Technology Council, showcases Oscar®-nominated and winning films that have been recognized in at least one technical category. Panel discussions illuminate the art of filmmaking from a science and technology perspective, examining how technical elements can augment a film's narrative capabilities and enrich the overall viewing experience.
Tickets to "Poltergeist" are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Tickets are available for purchase by mail, at the Academy box office, or online at www.oscars.org. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. All seating is unreserved.
The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood. Free parking is available through the entrance on Homewood Avenue (one block north of Fountain Avenue). For additional information, visit www.oscars.org or call (310) 247-3600.
10-14-07
I received this from Fathom Events regarding the way "Poltergeist" was projected in theaters October 4th (many people were upset the movie was projected in the wrong aspect ratio):
Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate your comments and will take them into consideration for future event offerings. We are sorry for your disappointment in our recent Fathom Events presentation of Poltergeist on October 4, 2007. It is always Fathom’s goal to provide a truly unique and exclusive experience each and every time. In order to preserve the historical value and integrity of the presentation, our studio partners chose to provide Poltergeist to us in a specific format to compliment the commentary at the end of the movie. The aspect ratio delivered was 1.85:1. Going forward, we will ensure that the right expectations are set with our customers.
Thank you again for feedback and we do hope to see you at another event hosted by Fathom in the near future.
Fathom Events
10-9-07
The big day has arrived! You can now purchase the Remastered Edition DVD nationwide. I would suggest getting it from Best Buy, with a very low price of $9.99. Following are some links to reviews of the DVD:
http://dvd.ign.com/articles/825/825717p1.html
http://www.ultimatedisney.com/dvdizzy/poltergeist-652.html
Some good stills from the film can be seen here:
http://classic-horror.com/newsreel/images_from_upcoming_poltergeist_dvd
10-4-07
“I don’t think I can, because during the six days I worked Steven Spielberg primarily took over that helm in my scenes. I don’t know what happened the other days.”
She acknowledges that Hooper was on set the full time and that he would set up every shot, but each time Spielberg would step in and make changes. “What he wants to show and say is what gets up there (on screen) the way he wants it. There’s no deviation from that.”
More:
http://creepyla.com/blog/2007/09/28/poltergeist-actress-says-spielberg-directed-her-scenes/
I crack some ghost jokes on this thing...hope they kept it as I like to deal with the unknown in a lighter way at the same time, bringing about paranormal awareness. Life is meant to be lived as we could be gone tomorrow, ya know? I wasn't privy to much more then our part and that they went to San Pedro about the true poltergeist incident from the late 70s. They interviewed Dr. Barry Taff and his team that did the investigation.
.....Then, they moved along the coast filming many other people in the business of ghosts and hauntings, gathering more testimonials.
On that information alone, it might be one of the best featurettes out there in this genre...
I believe everyone has a right to their own opinion and will always respect that. There are believers, skeptics and those on the fence, wherever you sit my friends, please know that at least what Hans, Roberta and I went on for, was for real stuff and wanted to explain the influence behind what made this become a film.
A box-office success at the time of its release, Poltergeist grossed over $76 million dollars and was nominated for three Academy Awards® including Best Original Score, Best Sound Effects Editing and Best Visual Effects. This classic horror film co-produced and co-written by Steven Spielberg arrives just in time for Halloween. Poltergeist 25th Anniversary Edition DVD is available for $19.97 SRP, with an order due date of September 4, 2007.
“Poltergeist is a great, classic American horror film from Steven Spielberg, arguably the most successful movie producer of our time,“ said George Feltenstein, WHV Senior VP, Classic Catalog. “The film has been digitally remastered from original picture and sound elements for the highest-quality presentation ever on home video. This new version is sure to deliver the same spine-tingling terror it brought during its original release. It is an essential must-have for everyone’s horror movie collection.”
The special October 4 theatrical screening of Poltergeist will be supported by a national and local market publicity campaign, an extensive viral campaign to include posting of web banners to horror sites and web blogging, in-theater promotional trailers that will play on approximately 5,000 screens, and placement of posters promoting the screening in thousands of theatres.
Suburbanites Steve (Nelson) and Diane (Williams) suddenly experience paranormal activity in their home. What starts off as minor excitement quickly turns into nasty ghostly encounters. The disappearance of their daughter Carol Anne (O’Rourke) forces the Freelings to bring in parapsychologists and a professional exorcist to exorcise their home. Directed by Tobe Hooper and featuring Oscar Nominated Visual Effects by Richard Edlund, Michael Wood and Bruce Nicholson, Poltergeist is one of the most entertaining horror films of its time.
from:
http://www.georgiatheatercompany.com/press_releases.html
"They're Back.....". Don't Miss this special one-time event as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of "Poltergeist". Warner Brothers will present a remastered digital version of the original 1982 film, preceded by 16 minutes of pre-recorded content as a bonus! One night only, Thursday, 10/4 at 7:30pm. Tickets Sales Date and locations will be announced soon!
from:
http://www.videobusiness.com/blog/1650000165/post/1090013109.html?q=poltergeist
Poltergeist 25th Anniversary DVD
August 15, 2007
Warner delivers the classic horror Oct. 9 (prebook Sept. 4) remastered and restored for $19.97.
To promote the release -- and give fans a little extra something -- the movie will be screened on Oct. 4 at 7:30 pm at participating Regal, United Artists, Edwards, Cinemark and AMC theaters. Tickets ($10 each) go on sale Sept. 7 at theater box offices and www.fathomevents.com.
1. Chairs attached to ceiling tiles in horror sections of HollyWood Video stores.
2. Select screens turned to static in television sections of Best Buy stores.
| POLTERGEIST 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION (WARNER) | 9-4 | 10-9 | DVD $19.97 |
| Horror: A couple experiences ghostly encounters and hires parapsychologists and an exorcist to exorcise their home. Bonuses: documentary. Promotion: select theatrical runs. from: | |||
Friday, May 25, 2007
| Poltergeist 25th Anniversary DVD In stores: September/October, 2007 |
Could this mean that the release got pushed back from the proposed October release? Possibly, and since that date was never confirmed. But the title hasn't been killed or seriously delayed from all I've heard from very credible sources so far.
from:
http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=13288&page=2
This is directly from my rep:Warner cancelled the HD-DVD/Blu-Ray versions last week and said they may be coming in 2008 (but it's not for sure).
**********************
http://www.cinefacts.de/dvd/db/details.php?id=37438
Special Features:
Documentaries: They're here: The true world of Poltergeist: Part One (the science of the spirit) and Part Two (communication with the dead), Making Of, Trailer