Now playing in theaters is director Gil Kenan’s (Monster House) contemporary remake of the classic horror film Poltergeist. Produced by Sam Raimi, the redo stars Sam Rockwell and Rosemarie DeWitt as parents trying to fend off a spiritual invasion and save their eight-year-old daughter (Kennedi Clements) from the evil forces trying to take her. The film also stars Jared Harris, Saxon Sharbino, Kyle Catlett, Susan Heyward and Nicholas Braun. While some might be nervous about the remake, I was actually surprised by how well it’s put together. However, it’s definitely aimed at a younger audience, and it’s important to know that going in. For more on Poltergeist, here’s director Gil Kenan, the trailer, Perri’s review and a clip.
At the recent Los Angeles press day, I spoke to Kenan. While I already posted part 1 of our conversation (he talked about his first cut of the film, deleted scenes, what he learned from the test screening process, how he’s releasing an extended cut on Blu-ray, and what Woody Allen taught him about editing), today I’ve got him talking about how the film is geared more for a younger audience, how no matter what film he delivered some people would criticize the film, what he’s working on now, and more.
Gil Kenan:
- How no matter what film he delivered people would criticize the film.
- 3:20 – How the film is geared more for kids.
- 4:40 – How a group of teens will go see the film this weekend and be scared. Kenan talks about why he made the film.
- 6:21 – What’s he developing now? Says he’s writing a lot and working on a children in peril story.
