![Original poster for Joe Dante's "The Howling"](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/hash/04/76/0476df6ca902e5bdfbdfc0e1ced8b4a2.jpg "Original poster for Joe Dante's "The Howling"")
Werewolves are making a comeback, and no, you can’t give all the credit to “Twilight Saga: New Moon.” A vampire/werewolf showdown has been in the offing for some time. In any event, the other classic eighties werewolf flick, “The Howling,” is the latest franchise to get the remake/reboot treatment.
Variety reports that indie producers Joel Kastelberg and Moonstone Entertainment's Etchie Stroh are re-launching the werewolf franchise as "The Howling: Reborn." Former studio marketing exec Joe Nimziki, who has worked at New Line, MGM and Sony, will make his feature directorial debut from his own script. It isn’t known whether this is a direct remake of the original movie or a sequel. Plot details are being kept under wraps.
This announcement comes hot on the heels of the announcement that Dreamworks is remaking the classic eighties vampire flick “Fright Night.” Universal releases its long-awaited remake of "The Wolfman," starring Benicio del Toro and directed by Joe Johnston in February, 2010.
The original "Howling," directed by Joe Dante from a script by John Sayles and Terence H. Winkless from the novel by Gary Brandner, was released in 1981 and spawned six sequels. Dee Wallace-Stone starred as a news anchor who suffers a breakdown after a close encounter with a serial killer (who turns out to be a werewolf) and is sent to a remote treatment facility (that turns out to be a werewolf resort). Patrick Macnee, Christopher Stone, Dennis Dugan, Belinda Balaski and Elisabeth Brooks co-starred. Horror legend John Carradine also appeared in the film, one of his last. The serial killer, Eddie, was played by Robert Picardo, best known for his TV roles on “China Beach” and Star Trek: Voyager.”
“The Howling” was released the same summer as “An American Werewolf in London,” a more expensive production. Both movies featured innovative special effects makeup work by the legendary Rick Baker.
Dante’s breakout movie, “Piranha,” is being remade as a 3D movie by Alexandre Aja, who directed the thoroughly unnecessary remake of “The Hills Have Eyes.”
“The Howling: Reborn” is due to start shooting in February, 2010 with an eye towards a Halloween release.
Comments
Rick Baker's role on The Howling was as a consultant. The film was an auspicious debut for Baker protege Rob Bottin, who is today one of the "goto guys" for this kind of work.
unclebob is correct and I misspoke. Sorry about the mistake.
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