Pet Sematary (2019)

[esteban²]

IT Director Wants to Do Pet Sematary Remake Next

Director Andrés Muschietti's IT remake hasn't even debuted in theaters yet and the director has already been talking about a second installment to properly adapt Stephen King's original novel. If that wasn't enough, Muschietti and his sister, producer Barbara Muschietti are setting their sights on adapting King's Pet Sematary next. The news comes after the house that King wrote Pet Sematary in went up for sale in Orrington, Maine. The 113-year old house is being sold for $255,000 and includes the pet cemetery in the backyard.

While promoting the upcoming remake of IT, Andrés Muschietti spoke to the Toronto Sun about adapting such a large book into a feature length movie. The director mentioned that it wasn't that hard to split up between three screenwriters to come up with something that they all felt fans would enjoy. Plus, the addition of a second movie will help to bring back scenes that had to be cut and properly represent Stephen King's vision on the big screen. The director said that they have zero interest in just adapting a Stephen King book for the title alone, stating that, "we are true fans of his work." The Muschiettis also have the rights to King's science fiction horror short story Jaunt, which they hope to adapt as well, but they also have their eyes on another King novel.

The Muschiettis really want to dig into Stephen King's 1983 book Pet Sematary next. The early buzz for IT has been absolutely off the charts, so it would be pretty interesting to see what the Muschiettis could bring to the table for a fresh take on Pet Sematary. Andrés Muschietti mentioned that if they could get it right, that Pet Sematary could possibly be up next. The director explains.

"We're huge fans of Pet Sematary. If we can get our hands on that and do the Pet Sematary we want to do, that will be something. One day, maybe."

Stephen King's Pet Sematary was originally adapted for the big screen in 1989 and has gone on to cult status despite mixed reviews upon its release. A sequel followed in 1992 to worse reviews and also went on to gain a cult audience over the years since its initial release. King has said in the past that the book is "terrible" for the way that it just "spirals into darkness." Remakes have been rumored for years, but the Muschiettis might be just the team to pull off a fresh take on the 1983 novel and now is the perfect time as Stephen King is pretty much everywhere these days.

As with any big screen adaptations of books, the pressure is on, especially when dealing with Stephen King's stories. Let's just hope that the Muschiettis are able to pull of their adaptations better than the recently released Dark Tower, which has been getting torn apart by critics and will more than likely be out of theaters soon. In the meantime, we still have IT coming out in a few weeks to hold us over while we wait for more news on a possible Pet Sematary remake.

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What do you guys think of the idea? If IT can be this promising, why not ...

[shinobipopcorn]

Can't we wait and see if both parts of IT do well first?

[CyberpunkCentral]

I wouldn't mind a remake. The original Pet Sematary id terrified me, though.

[esteban²]

@Shino - There's little doubt about that, no? Everyone is talking about it in a very positive way. Even my parents -who never know anything about what's coming and don't care about horror- asked me when it's coming to theatres.

But how about Pet Sematary? I have to say, I don't remember it. I've seen it, but it's completely gone from my mind.

[Gamma_Winstead]

Honestly with all this "cinematic universe" crap that's been going on, they'd be damn stupid to miss out on doing a King-verse. No one cares about the current dark tower movie, so they could build up to doing a proper adaptation in 20 years or so to that even.

[Phobics]

If It turns out good then I wouldn't be opposed to it. While the film is okay imo it isn't exactly a great film. There's plenty to improve.

[GaragePoet]

eh, i thought "Pet Sematary" was a very effective film and did justice to the novel. the screenplay was adapted by Stephen King himself. i don't see how it could be made any better, particularly regarding the casting of Fred Gwynne & Miko Hughes.

"IT" was in dire need of a remake. as campy & fun as the TV movie was, it did not do justice to the source material...

[shinobipopcorn]

Originally Posted by esteban²

@Shino - There's little doubt about that, no? Everyone is talking about it in a very positive way. Even my parents -who never know anything about what's coming and don't care about horror- asked me when it's coming to theatres.

I remember when they were all hyped up about Burton's Planet of the Apes, or Lost in Space, or even John Carter. I think IT will do well, but there's still this little bug in the back of my mind that worries they won't stick it out and finish part 2.

(They do need to remake Pet Semetary, though. Denise Crosby is a plank of wood with clothes on.)

[esteban²]

But ... In my memory, there never was such a hype about any of those titles at all.

I believe IT will do fine indeed and IIT (can we call it that?) is kinda of a sure thing. But hey, time will tell.

[shinobipopcorn]

Originally Posted by esteban²

But ... In my memory, there never was such a hype about any of those titles at all.

It could have been age or demographic differences... I know Disney put a lot of money into John Carter thinking they'd make a franchise, and all they got was a huge loss and a hit to Kitsch's career.

[esteban²]

Disney though that, but honestly ... With that budget it was doomed as soon as the first teaser came out. Personally, I thought it looked good. But there was no positive buzz around it, no hype either. With IT, the complete opposite is going on. Oh well, we'll see.

[Phobics]

Originally Posted by shinobipopcorn

I remember when they were all hyped up about Burton's Planet of the Apes, or Lost in Space, or even John Carter. I think IT will do well, but there's still this little bug in the back of my mind that worries they won't stick it out and finish part 2.

(They do need to remake Pet Semetary, though. Denise Crosby is a plank of wood with clothes on.)

Lol, she was and is a bad actress...

[Phobics]

Originally Posted by GaragePoet

eh, i thought "Pet Sematary" was a very effective film and did justice to the novel. the screenplay was adapted by Stephen King himself. i don't see how it could be made any better, particularly regarding the casting of Fred Gwynne & Miko Hughes.

"IT" was in dire need of a remake. as campy & fun as the TV movie was, it did not do justice to the source material...

The story was okay on film I think. I never liked the actors that much other than the dad and Oldman. But, the kid and Denise bothered me to no end. The cat was cool though. Like I said, if IT turns out good I'll be more energetic about this.

[CompleteCount]

Wonder if Rubenstein still holds the rights to the book, as he tends not to give up properties if there is the chance of them making money.

[Cremildo]

I'd be more excited about a big-screen adaptation of Salem's Lot.

[slimdude]

Stephen King is grinning from ear to ear! First it was "IT" and now Pet Sematary. Stephen King is loving these remakes because, it's more money in his pocket.

[JMDiaz718]

Originally Posted by Phobics

Lol, she was and is a bad actress...

I actually think she was pretty good in Deep Impact. The scene where she says farewell to her children was heartbreaking.

[frogmort]

Sounds good, but I'm much more concerned about getting the second half of It first.

[darkness2918]

I wouldn't mind a remake at all.

[MJD64]

Pet Sematary still ranks as King's most disturbing and chilling work, IMO. The '89 film has plenty of flaws and a certain blunt effectiveness (director Mary Lambert told the story straight enough, but it lacked the touches a good horror director would have brought to it and the two bland leads are also a hinderance).The loss of a loved one and the desire to have them back at any cost is the kind of emotional linchpin anyone can relate to. To see this novel revived by a director with a real feel for the material and the horror genre sounds ideal. The upcoming It looks very promising and if it delivers, I'd be really excited for a Pet Sematary remake from Muschietti.