Just when you thought it was safe to read about horror news, New Line announces that they are remaking another horror movie! The creative juices are clearly flowing as they are planning on taking Gerard Johnstone’s ‘Housebound’ and remaking it after Peter Jackson gave it rave reviews. While it isn’t surprising that he would be watching a New Zealand horror film, it is surprising that they are remaking a film that was just released last year!
I want you to let that sink in for just a moment. The original ‘Housebound’ came out last year. On September 4th, 2014 to be exact. It hasn’t even been out for six whole months and the studio doesn’t think releasing the film state side would work and has to recreate it from scratch.
Way to go Hollywood.
That being said, I am interested in checking out the film. The original one at least. With Jackson’s recommendation and a quite interesting synopsis, it really has a solid sounding plot behind it.
Here’s what the film is about:
Kylie Bucknell is forced to return to the house she grew up in when the court places her on home detention. Her punishment is made all the more unbearable by the fact she has to live there with her mother Miriam – a well-intentioned blabbermouth who’s convinced that the house is haunted. Kylie dismisses Miriam’s superstitions as nothing more than a distraction from a life occupied by boiled vegetables & small-town gossip. However, when she too becomes privy to unsettling whispers & strange bumps in the night, she begins to wonder whether she’s inherited her overactive imagination, or if the house is in fact possessed by a hostile spirit who’s not particularly thrilled about her return.
Well put together haunted house films are rare but when they are properly put together are a great watch. I’m sure having Cameron Rhodes and Bruce Hopkins who both starred in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ films helped get Jackson’s eyes on the project. But, I doubt he’d go raving to a studio if he didn’t feel it had merit. Those who hated ‘The Hobbit’ might have mixed feelings about this vote of confidence but it has piqued my interest in checking out the original.
Do you think the plot for ‘Housebound’ would make you want to check it out? Does New Line really need to make a localized version of the film or should they have just looked into importing the original film? Share your thoughts below!
Source: Collider
