This year, Joe Dante’s werewolf classic The Howling celebrates its 45th anniversary. During Studiocanal’s CinemaCon panel, executive Hugh Spearing says the studio will be “reimagining” the 1981 film. Dante’s movie is very loosely based on 1977 novel of the same name by Gary Brandner. It’s unclear at this time if it will be a more faithful adaptation or a completely new take on the idea.
The Howling
The 1st film tells the story of Karen White (Dee Wallace), a TV reporter who has a very traumatic experience with serial killer Eddie Quist (Robert Picardo). She and her husband (Christopher Stone) try to take some time away and heal at a wilderness retreat called The Colony. Only to find out that the entire place is inhabited by werewolves.
It was directed by Dante from a script written by John Sayles. But it’s Rob Bottin’s masterful makeup and special effects work that fans credit for really bringing the story to life.
It went on to spawn an impressive 7 sequels that never matched the prestige of the original—often getting campier and more nonsensical. As horror franchises tend to do. We’re looking at you, Halloween and the Cult of the Thorn. These follow-ups include: 1985’s Howling II, 1987’s Howling III, 1988’s Howling IV, 1989’s Howling V, 1991’s Howling VI, 1995’s Howling: New Moon Rising, and 2011’s The Howling: Reborn.
Making this reimaging the first entry into the series in at least 15 years.
At this time, plot details are under wraps with no cast, writer, or director attached. Some reports are claiming that Andy Muschietti will direct. However, this has not been confirmed, and he was attached to remake for Netflix in 2020. So there is a high possibility these outlets are simply mixing up the two projects.
We’ll keep you posted on updates about StudioCanal’s The Howling as the project develops.
