Hammer set to remake The Woman in Black

[GoggleboxUK]

Hammer President and CEO Simon Oakes announced today that it has optioned the rights to produce a feature film based on Susan Hill's best-selling ghost story, "The Woman In Black." Jane Goldman ("Stardust", "Kick-Ass") is writing the screenplay with James Watkins ("Eden Lake", "Methuselah") directing.



"The Woman In Black" has become a modern classic since its print debut in 1983, having been adapted into a successful stage play in 1987, with the adaptation still running today in London's West End. The novel even appears in the UK's National Curriculum.



The story follows a young lawyer, Arthur Kipps, who is ordered to travel to a remote village and sort out a recently deceased client’s papers. As he works alone in the client’s isolated house, Kipps begins to uncover tragic secrets, his unease growing when he glimpses a mysterious woman dressed only in black. Receiving only silence from the locals, Kipps is forced to uncover the true identity of the Woman in Black on his own, leading to a desperate race against time when he discovers her true intent.



Commented Oakes, “’The Woman in Black’ is an iconic British horror story, and so makes a perfect match for Hammer. Jane Goldman has written a terrific screenplay and with James Watkins at the helm, we feel that this feature adaptation of Susan Hill’s classic novel will be both dynamic and terrifying.”



Hammer is producing the film adaptation with Talisman Films. Simon Oakes of Hammer Films and Richard Jackson of Talisman Films with produce; Nigel Sinclair and Guy East will Executive Produce for Hammer. Roy Lee and Doug Davison's Vertigo Entertainment ("The Grudge", "The Ring") are also attached with Roy Lee serving as an Executive Producer. Worldwide sales and distribution are being handled by Exclusive Film Distribution.

[jaycad]

it doesn't need to be remade IMO,i wish susan hill would allow it to be re-released but she seems to want nothing to do with the 1989 BBC version-i presume it's down to the ending alteration?

[PS68060]

WHY !!



Wouldn't it be better to take something that wasn't so successful and remake that, improving it ?

Making film versions of successful TV or re-making successful films is a recipe for disapppointment.

[jaycad]

name='PS68060']WHY !!



Wouldn't it be better to take something that wasn't so successful and remake that, improving it ?

Making film versions of successful TV or re-making successful films is a recipe for disapppointment.

agreed! i can't think of a big screen re-make of a tv film/series that hasn't been a load of bollocks!

[Windthrop]

name='jaycad']it doesn't need to be remade IMO,i wish susan hill would allow it to be re-released but she seems to want nothing to do with the 1989 BBC version-i presume it's down to the ending alteration?

She has prevented her first two novels being reprinted. Good for me as I have collected a number of copies from charity shops and car boots !

[jaycad]

name='Windthrop']She has prevented her first two novels being reprinted. Good for me as I have collected a number of copies from charity shops and car boots !

what are they like? i've only read TWIB

[Windthrop]

name='jaycad']what are they like? i've only read TWIB

Have never read The Enclosure and Do Me A Favour - I just release copies from time to time to avoid flooding the market. They are not ghost stories though she has written others -



The Mist in the Mirror



The Man in the Picture



I enjoyed both

[faginsgirl]

Although I really like the origional adaptation I really wasn`t keen on her books and gave up after reading two half way through. It doesn`t need to be remade and there are plenty of new writers out there with origional scripts that can be snapped up now too instead of going over old ground, `cos it never works out.



xx

[batman]

name='jaycad']agreed! i can't think of a big screen re-make of a tv film/series that hasn't been a load of bollocks!

I watched the film version of State of Play recently and it was very good.

[dremble wedge]

As the original is unavailable it seems perfectly valid to do it again.

[GoggleboxUK]

Seeing as Hammer are attempting to 'rise from the grave' it makes perfect sense to me that they would choose to make a film that is chilling without the need for gore and violence, has an excellent storyline, has a good reputation and is now no longer available.



If the new version retains the edge of the TV adaptation and Hammer bring it up to date then not only will it reach a whole new generation but it may well strengthen the Hammer revival and enable them to use new scripts in the future without having to use American funding.



That's got to be good for British moviemaking in general surely?

[fluddite]

name='GoggleboxUK'] and is now no longer available.



If the new version retains the edge of the TV adaptation and Hammer bring it up to date ....

Big ifs. Isn't the real problem here (over and above the expenditure of precious GB production funds on what amounts to yet another remake - scripted by Mrs Ross, at that...) the effective suppression of an outstanding TV version that ought to be available on a legit DVD issue rather than the NTSC bootlegs going the rounds? I'm reminded of MGM's behaviour over Gaslight back in the 1940s....

[dremble wedge]

If they are 'remaking' the TV version (rather than undertaking a new adaptation of a novel) then Hammer are only doing what they always did by making film version of a successful TV producion. Quatermass anyone?

[faginsgirl]

name='GoggleboxUK']Seeing as Hammer are attempting to 'rise from the grave' it makes perfect sense to me that they would choose to make a film that is chilling without the need for gore and violence, has an excellent storyline, has a good reputation and is now no longer available.

I do hope they do stick to lack of gore and violence and stick to good storylines and atmosphere, I`d hate to see it turn the other way in thier future films.



xx

[will.15]

name='dremble wedge']If they are 'remaking' the TV version (rather than undertaking a new adaptation of a novel) then Hammer are only doing what they always did by making film version of a successful TV producion. Quatermass anyone?

If this turns out as well, they'll be back in business. Remaking TV dramas into movies has always had a better track record than movies remaking old movies.

[jaycad]

name='dremble wedge']If they are 'remaking' the TV version (rather than undertaking a new adaptation of a novel) then Hammer are only doing what they always did by making film version of a successful TV producion. Quatermass anyone?

I have a fear that an attempt to 'update' TWIB will be made involving a plot change,america and CGI.

[DB7]

name='jaycad']I have a fear that an attempt to 'update' TWIB will be made involving a plot change,america and CGI.

I agree, it'll probably be contemporised with an attractive female lead who has travelled over from the US and some 'love interest' solicitor.

[jaycad]

name='DB7']I agree, it'll probably be contemporised with an attractive female lead who has travelled over from the US and some 'love interest' solicitor.

and set in present day!

[charliekane]

For those in the area, The Woman in Black returns to Liverpool Playhouse in May, which is where I first saw it (starring Richard Todd) about 15 years ago. No doubt it will be produced elsewhere too, so well worth seeing if you haven't already - and even if you have !

[jaycad]

name='charliekane']For those in the area, The Woman in Black returns to Liverpool Playhouse in May, which is where I first saw it (starring Richard Todd) about 15 years ago. No doubt it will be produced elsewhere too, so well worth seeing if you haven't already - and even if you have !

great news-i watched the show in covent garden the christmas before last and it is well worth seeing!