Cujo Remake Claws Back Into Development

Stephen King material has always been lucrative fodder for Hollywood. Over 35 years of films adapted from his works have drawn in audiences to varying degrees of success (Ahem, Maximum Overdrive anyone?). As time passes his works continue to make their mark on cinema. The recent Room 237 documentary on The Shining spun out the most tenuous links ever forged in film theory, and yesterday news broke that a prequel; The Overlook Hotel, is being written by The Walking Dead‘s Glen Mazzara. It’s clear the world is gagging for more King and now, a press release spotted by Dread Central reveals that a Cujo remake is in development.

Sunn Classic Pictures, who released the original flick back in 1983, have announced through their website their intention to ring in the 30th anniversary by issuing a remake. (Why can’t they just dish out a stellar Blu-Ray release?!) Here’s the press release:

Lang Elliott, President & CEO of Sunn Classic Pictures, Inc., announced that Sunn plans to produce the remake of “CUJO” this year representing the 30th Anniversary since Sunn produced and distributed the original “CUJO” motion picture in 1983, based upon Stephen King’s novel. The 1983 version was highly successful at the worldwide box-office and, compared with today’s inflation and higher ticket prices, the box-office would be well over $225 million even without ancillary sales (i.e., DVD, cable, free television, pay-per-view, etc.).

“CUJO” is the story of a large, playful St. Bernard dog that is transformed into a hideous killing machine after being infected by rabies. Donna Trenton’s car is on the fritz, and she and her son take her ailing automobile to their mechanic. Upon their arrival, the car stalls and refuses to restart. The mechanic fails to appear so Donna searches for him. The transformed, maniacal “CUJO” reveals himself; he is highly agitated and very aggressive. Donna hardly recognizes this filthy, monstrous creature foaming at the mouth. Suddenly “CUJO” charges Donna, who barely makes it back into the car for protection. Trapped with her son and the windows rolled up, the sweltering heat begins to take its toll. “CUJO’s” powerful state of insanity and violence await.

The matter of whether a remake is necessary is of no importance here as the studio clearly needs a win and cashing in on the recent horror remake bandwagon is a tempting notion. Way back in 1983 the original adaptation hit cinema screens and hauled in a sizeable wedge of box office green.

The story tells the tale of Donna Trenton (Dee Wallace Stone, in the first outing) and her son who are kept prisoner in their car as Cujo, a St. Bernard with a personality disorder, terrorises them.

While the film’s key plot hinges upon the notion that an entity we allow into our homes can suddenly turn and maul us can be said to echo any number of bodies (the government, the media, the PTA)…it works. An almost entirely single-location shoot, it’s clear the film was adapted from a novel and suffers at times from that restriction.

So, another horror remake on the cards for this year. What do you think of Cujo being remade? Have your say in the comments below.