For better or for worse, MGM is moving forward with their planned remake of Tom Holland’s 1988 horror film, Child’s Play. Those of us paying attention have seen the negative reception this idea has been met with from the horror crowd, but whether we like it or not, the film is on the fast track to production. From director Lars Klevberg and writer Tyler Burton Smith, the movie is now fleshing out its cast, currently zoning in on casting the film’s two leads.
Collider reports that Aubrey Plaza (Life After Beth, Parks and Recreation) is in talks to star as Andy’s mom, named Karen Barclay (Catherine Hicks) in the original film. Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta) is also in negotiations for a lead role, presumably that of a detective – similar to Chris Sarandon’s Child’s Play character. As of now, neither has officially signed on, but this could be our new Mrs. Barclay and Detective Norris.
It producers David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith are producing, along with executive producer Aaron Schmidt. Given the Losers’ Club style approach this remake seems to be taking, that’s perhaps rather appropriate. Word is, Andy will have a group of friends helping him take on the killer doll this time, in the same vein of It or Stranger Things.
As we all know, Tom Holland’s original film, which was written by Don Mancini, was about a serial killer named Charles Lee Ray (Brad Dourif) who transfers his soul into a Good Guy doll. Going by the name Chucky, the doll seeks to possess the body of a young boy named Andy (Alex Vincent) and be reborn as a human being. The film was a hit and wound up spawning a franchise that lives on to this day, with a planned TV series in the works.
The remake will reportedly be giving the story a modern-day makeover by making the doll technologically-advanced. Rewiring in its hardwire is what causes the doll to go haywire, rather than a serial killer’s black magic. There’s no word yet on what the doll will look like or if it will even be named Chucky, but if MGM is wise, it will be something far different. No new Chucky could ever top the original.
Related Article: An Interview with Child’s Play 2 Star Christine Elise
