Here’s a question to ponder: in modern terms, what exactly is a “remake” and what is a “reboot”? Regardless of the answer, that’s the plan for 2003’s Wrong Turn. A film that spawned 5 sequels over the last decade, is getting recycled once again. Only this time, the original writer, Alan B. McElroy, is along for the ride.
According to Deadline, Constantin Film is eying a return to the wilds of West Virginia, some fifteen years after it set up shop there. Not sure what made them decide to go the route of starting over, when all horror franchises seem destined to run on forever. Like some weird time capsule no one asked for. At least that’s what you get when you see a new Hellraiser, Puppet Master or Children of The Corn is coming down the pike. Today’s log line though, paints a different, more curious picture:
“The updated version is described as a timely and topical meditation on society and its issues. A cross-country hiking expedition puts a group of friends in the land of an inclusive society, where they soon discover they are under a different rule of law, and may not be the victims they thought they were.”
Just a reminder, this is coming from McElroy, the writer of Spawn, Left Behind: The Movie and Ballistic: Ecks vs Sever. What his view of societal issues is, within this context, should make for a very interesting film. More excitingly, directing the new take will be Mike P. Nelson, who recently made The Domestics. While it wasn’t the greatest film ever made, there were plenty of flourishes to make Nelson a director to keep an eye on. Working off someone else’s script and having a larger budget to play with, could be what makes all the difference.
The fact that the Wrong Turn franchise made it to 6 films feels weird to type. Each entry varies wildly, but understands their audience & brings them the inbred goods they desire. Things get weird in the later half, when the go the inevitable “prequel” route. One takes place in the snow and another takes place in a mental institution. What ties them all together is a decent showing of practical gore effects. The second is probably the most popular of the lot, given Joe Lynch’s involvement behind the camera. They’re relatively quick watches, for those in need of more films to consume this October.
Does this seem like a good idea, dear reader? Are you itching for more inbred shenanigans, specifically of the Wrong Turn variety? Do you have a favorite film in the series? Is there a different horror franchise you’d rather see get reset, instead? Is it still a remake if talent from the first film is involved, or does that make it a reboot? Let us know below. No release date is set, yet since it’s a horror film, you can expect it to get rushed through the system asap.
