Screen Gems' iconic 1990s slasher film, "Urban Legend," is poised for a thrilling reboot catered to modern audiences. Sony's genre division has embarked on the early stages of developing a fresh take on the 1998 cult classic, enlisting the talented Shanrah Wakefield to craft the screenplay. Producing duties will fall to Gary Dauberman, whose video game adaptation "Until Dawn" premieres this Friday, under his Coin Operated banner. Neal Moritz, a key producer of the original film, is also in negotiations to reprise his producing role.
Directed by Jamie Blanks and penned by Sylvio Horta, the original "Legend" was a chilling horror tale set against the backdrop of a New England university. It featured a ruthless killer whose grim deeds were inspired by contemporary urban legends, such as the lethal combination of Pop Rocks and soda or being chased by a gang in a vehicle for forgetting to switch on one's headlights.
Boasting a stellar ensemble of upcoming stars from the late '90s, including Jared Leto, Joshua Jackson, Alicia Witt, Michael Rosenbaum, Rebecca Gayheart, and Tara Reid, the film was a box office success, albeit eclipsed by other slasher hits of the era like "Scream" and Sony's own "I Know What You Did Last Summer." Two sequels soon followed in its wake.
While plot specifics remain under wraps, insiders hint that the reboot aims to delve into the evolution of urban legends in the digital age. Sony declined to comment on the development.
Dauberman, a triple threat behind some of the decade's biggest horror franchises, including "It," "Annabelle," and "The Nun," co-wrote and produced "Until Dawn." This horror flick, based on a Sony video game, reunites him with his "Annabelle: Creation" director David F. Sandberg. Dauberman's Coin Operated enjoys a first-look deal with Screen Gems/Sony.
Wakefield is represented by CAA, Untitled, and attorney Darren Trattner.
