Poltergeist Featurette: Sam Raimi and Gil Kenan Talk Modernizing the Classic

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POLTERGEIST Featurette: Sam Raimi and Gil Kenan Talk Modernizing the Classic

By Perri Nemiroff

Published Apr 25, 2015

The remake of the 1982 original is due in theaters on May 22nd.

Image via 20th Century Fox

Back when Poltergeist came out in the 80s, I was afraid of trees coming through my bedroom window and being attacked by braces, but now it's all about phones glitching and toys lighting up when they're not supposed to. The latest trailer for Gil Kenan's Poltergeist remake does suggest that the new iteration will be very reminiscent of the original, but there's certainly a few modern twists in the mix as well. 20th Century Fox just unveiled a brand new behind-the-scene featurette in which Kenan and producer Sam Raimi discuss making the material accessible to a modern audience. While I do get the need to throw in iPhones and other new tech that we use on a regular basis, it's still the more old school scares, like the clown attack and that poor girl being yanked up the stairs, that are the most effective.

Check out the new Poltergeist featurette below and be sure to check out Steve's thoughts on the extended trailer screened at CinemaCon right here. Poltergeist opens in 2D and 3D on May 22nd, and also stars Jared Harris, Saxon Sharbino, Susan Heyward, Jane Adams and Nicholas Braun.

Here’s the official synopsis for Poltergeist:

Legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi (“Spiderman,” “Evil Dead”, “The Grudge”) and director Gil Kenan (“Monster House”) contemporize the classic tale about a family whose suburban home is haunted by evil forces. When the terrifying apparitions escalate their attacks and hold the youngest daughter captive, the family must come together to rescue her before she disappears forever.