[Mockery]

New Line Relaunches 'Phantasm' Franchise ...

March 10, 2005 -- The Hollywood Reporter says that the "Phantasm" franchise has been picked up by New Line, which seems to be very active these days putting together horror projects, what with the news that Tarantino may be directing the 11th "Friday the 13th" entry for them as well:

"New Line Cinema is in final negotiations with filmmaker Don Coscarelli to bring the cult horror film 'Phantasm' back to the big screen. The first 'Phantasm,' which Coscarelli wrote and directed, was released in 1979. It told the story of a young boy named Mike and his friends, who face off against a mysterious grave robber known as the Tall Man and his killer flying spheres. The film spawned three sequels, all of which were made by Coscarelli. Coscarelli would act as producer on the new version, in which the Tall Man travels from town to town turning the dead into his own army and using his deadly spheres against anyone who opposes him. Mike, who is developing psychic powers, and his brother try to stop him. The movie is being developed as a relaunch and as a possible trilogy about Mike's coming of age."

Bloody-Disgusting reports that the new Phantasm serise will be its own "trilogy," and that this is a "re-launch" of the franchise rather than a remake. Angus Scrimm is expected to return as the Tall Man. ...

Hopefully this means they'll release the originals on DVD with better treatments now too. I haven't seen Phantasm II in soooo long. I love this series cuz it's one of the few that's truly creepy.