Summary
The director attached to theArachnophobiaremake just gave an update about it. There were major changes, but the project is still in development.
Arachnophobiais ahorror-comedymovie released in 1990. The movie, directed by Frank Marshall, features a dangerous new species of spider accidentally brought from the Amazon rainforest to a small town in California. It mates with a local spider and produces a deadly breed that spreads rapidly, killing the residents with venomous bites. Dr. Ross Jennings (Jeff Daniels) and exterminator Delbert McClintock (John Goodman) work together to destroy the spider nest before the deadly breed of spider overruns the town. Daniels and Goodman’s performances were well-received. The audience also praised the movie, calling it funny, creepy and entertaining. A remake was announced two years and the director first attached to the project just shared a disappointing update.
Christopher Landon, the director ofHappy Death DayandFreaky, was initially attached to write and helm theArachnophobiaremake when it was announced in June 2022. He recently sat down for an interview with The Wrap to discuss his new thrillerDrop. When asked about theArachnophobiaremake, Landon said his idea was a “body horror” and it was “brutal.” According to him, he pictured the spiders using their fangs to slice human flesh to lay eggs inside the body. He was really proud of the screenplay he wrote. However, he couldn’t agree with the other people involved in the project, so they decided to part ways. Landon explained:
I wrote a script that I loved. I actually think it was one of my best. But the problem with that is that you still have to deal with other people who have different opinions about what kind of movie we should be making. This was a classic case of creative differences and it was something that I was not willing to change. Everybody moved on and that was just the way that it went. But at least it was a calm separation.
Landon was so committed to the movie that he even asked around if they remembered the plot of the movie. However, all they remembered was the shower scene and Goodman being the exterminator. He took the responses as an “opportunity” and doubled down on his pride in his work, which might not see the light of day after his departure from the project. “I wrote something I felt was very plot-driven,” he continued. Landon said it was “much bigger” and “more expensive” than the original film. Landon was convinced that it was probably the reason some were not supportive of his idea.
Despite his departure, Landon said the project is still in development. It’s good that the remake is still happening, but it’s a shame that he is no longer attached to it, considering his dedication. The filmmaker even admitted to writing “a great return” forGoodman’s character. Goodman is a favorite in the film, which is evident because he is among the characters the audience remembers. Based on Landon’s statement, his plan for the remake is big and ambitious and fans deserve it. However, the other people involved are probably not ready to take the risk.
Landon’sbody horroridea will take theArachnophobiaremake to the next level. The first movie focused on spiders attacking and killing the residents with venomous bites. However, body horror could amplify fear. It could make the whole movie darker, more disturbing and visually inventive. This will be perfect for the modern horror enthusiasts. However, it still needs a proper balance, otherwise, it will be too scary and it will lose the original film’s humor which appeals to fans. Overall, body horror could work, so long as it keeps the comedic elements because the film is supposed to be a horror-comedy, that’s if they want to make it similar to the original movie.
