Dreamworks Buys Paranormal Activity, Plans Remake

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One film that’s already being touted as the next Cloverfield even more so than Cloverfield 2 is the recent Slamdance Film Festival sensation Paranormal Activity: Evidence of a Haunting. The indie, handicam-style haunted house flick, shot in a week’s time by video game designer and upstart director Oren Peli in his own house, has been purchased along with all remake rights by Dreamworks for nearly seven figures. In a stipulation that sealed the deal, Peli will direct the new theatrical version. The studio will most likely release the original film stateside on DVD; IM Global has the international rights.

We’ve got the trailer after the jump. After watching it, I have to say I’m still not convinced, but numerous reviews so far tout that it’s “the scariest flick in years.” The film centers on a couple, played by newcomers Katie Featherstone and Micah Sloat, whose house is haunted by all the tell-tale supernatural bells and whistles, so they decide to film it themselves, sometimes with a tri-pod.

Obviously, another film its drawing comparisons to is The Blair Witch Project, and all of the screaming and camera work in the trailer definitely supports that. Poltergeist is another, but one of the better haunted house pictures I’ve ever seen that might be more apt is 1981’s The Entity, which was based on true events (look it up, veddy crazy). Peli’s definitely earned himself a nice success story that will play well in the press, so we’ll being hearing a lot more about this one, for sure.

Sources: Variety / Vulture

  • Cinemaniac1979
    I saw the original cut at Screamfest LA last October and it scared the shit out of me (and NOTHING ever gets to me). I heard they trimmed and recut for Slamdance and would love to see that version as well.

    I don't like the idea of remaking it. It's damn good the way it is, and a lot of the reason it's so scary is BECAUSE it's so low budget, which lends itself to a more realistic movie. Why take that away?

    If you get a chance to catch this one in theaters (since a wide release now seems out of the cards) DO IT. It's a way better "found footage" experience than either Cloverfield or the Blair Witch Project (or Diary of the Dead for that matter).
  • kempsitsdacows13
    this movie looks pretty sweet. is there any way to see this movie besides in film fests.. or will i have to wait until the release on video?
  • PG
    I want to see this now!
  • FR
    After reading reviews it seems like an awesome movie!
    Let's hope it finally revives the horror genre flicks, which in my opinion have been less than average lately.
  • eric
    WAIT! So they are remaking it even though it is already finished and just starting at festivals?
  • Jerry Butler
    I think Sci-fi's ghost hunters need to sue somebody. lol
  • Michele
    i agree.
  • Oh no, why did they have to say, "FREAKED OUT OF THEIR MINDS!"

    This makes me think Criss Angel had something to do with it.
  • Bilisko
    That was a pretty terrible trailer.

    We see a door slam and a chandalier swing, and then some absolutely TERRIFYING MTV-style editing.
  • gargunza
    hmmmm bleh...i'll stick with cloverfield
  • NiteRdier
    Any idea on release date? is the unrated version that they play at scream fest buyable on dvd? any ideas where i can go to watch it?
  • Teri
    Oh. I say put it out RIGHT NOW. Just the way it is. Because it has that reality to it. You know like this could happen to the average everyday person. REAL, BELIEVEABLE. Please please let me know when this will be released. Thanks

    I don't what to wait.
  • Kyle
    Where the hell do I get this movie????
  • ben
    please could someone tell me when this film(the original) is coming out in england,as all i can find are movie trailers.Thanks
  • Daniel Gheorghe
    Is this movie out on DVD or coming out in theatres or not?

    I think I need to see it all over again to get aout of my system. i have seen it over 2 months ago and I am still scarred... If I could turn back time I would pull my self out of that theatre.

    Last night I tried to watch "Pulse" -little baby horror movie - adn I could not After 5 minutes into it and the first ghost coming out of the wall I had to change it to something else happier so I can get a good night sleep...

    I told my friends about it and they all want to see it now. As I am writing to you know, I fricking get goose-bumps. I need to heal my self from it. How can I do it? Just tell me where can I get it from?
  • D Hall
    This film is basically dealing with demonic experiences. Yes demons are real just as angels are real and just as Jesus is real. I have had experience with them many times but it did not change until I accepted Jesus. It began when I was a child and something in the middle of the night would hold me down and laugh with this terrorfying voice...but when I got saved and would mention Jesus they would leave and even be afraid. Please trust me...this type of stuff is true and the Bible is very true. Alot of what is going on in society is due to demonic activity and influence...have you ever wondered why you feel a certain way for no reason at all?? That does not just happen by chance, but enough of the demons and their agenda...they are already condemned...It is time to now focus on Jesus and how to live free from fear among other things. If you would like to know more about Jesus and how to get free, please feel free to email me.
  • piperh
    do you have a facebook?
  • Antonio Lopez
    yes you are right about demonds existing, I have a gift that I can talk to certain people in my head and they are people that are real, they 4 of them can scan my thoughts and work on power with me, with my self it makes 5 people and what makes me special is that I am a channeler so I channel them and practice our power because of the power that we have we can also excercise and trap spirits that are demonic. if you still have problems like that e-mail me and I will make them go away.
  • Name
    WOW casebook schitzophrenia-psych eval much?
  • Name
    yea...stop hiding behind jesus- you projected your energy and it caused poltergeist activity which by the way is prevalent in very young children, It resolved as you got older and was coincidental you "found jesus". I'm a christian too but get serious. If you believe in a loving god that sent jesus to die for our sins then we no longer need to be punished by "demons" and if you do believe in angels then why wouldn't they protect you? I for one believe in a loving god who guards his children..sorry, your theory doesn't add up.
  • ????????
    hey mr d hall i dont say that the demonic spiritual or demons are fake or they do not exist but if you belive in GOD they don't have power over you but when ive seen the movie i won't lie i got scared couple of time's but i do not belive why the trailer of this movie it is diferent in the end of the trailer it is showing the part where kati'e kiled micha but in the trailer part it is diferent she is coming up the staire's and someting kiks the camera down loking like micha body i dont know i just what to know if it was made just based on a true story or iz it like in the movie because aaa anoder thing when katie god draged of her bead that was the hole interesting part of the movie so realistic but some people ask's them selves why was noting on the new's about this 2 young couple ;);)that's the hole thing about the filming of this movie i thing this was a great movie good story about everyting (the burning house,the photo,etc.);;also the part where she throws his a** towards the camara and then starts sniffin him and gives that evil look;;maybe that is the cuting part that i have not seen wen a saw the movie i did not have this part it was just katie siting in the room an then the police came and kiled her that iz all
  • Name
    I had the same problem with horror movies. You have to find friends you can laugh at the movies with. When someone's head gets chopped off laugh about it. If there's a ghost chasing someone root for the ghost to win. Eventually you'll desensitize yourself.
  • mstx08
    This person above has apparently not watched the movie. I have always loved horror movies and am always hoping for one that will actually scare me for once. Fact is most are pretty dumb these days. This one definitely got to me. I threw up in the middle of it. And yes above I agree God is the only real way to deal with a demon encounter, but I would not get as pushy as to tell people what to do.
  • joey
    i also saw this movie in 07 LA scream fest.. saw it twice and its deff a scary ass movie....i also heard it was cut, but when i saw it ..it looked believable..and even when i told my friends about it..they got scared and couldnt sleep either...im disapointed that the movie was sold to dreamworks..i hope it stays they way it was when i first saw it..it was raw and truely scray..i will deff be one of the first to buy this movie when it comes out on DVD
  • Manny
    I just saw the screening of it last night. Got home @ 2 in the AM. Woke up @ 5 AM sweating.. no nightmare; just sweating. This is definately one of the scarriest movies I've ever seen.. I'm good now but very anxious to see it again. I hear the movie may be shown in theaters this upcoming year.. Finally!
  • Tasmeen
    I didnt see the screening......but the trailer dont give any idea...its just seem like some lose shots put together......how can this be scarry??.......blaah....
  • Joseph
    ive seen this movie twice..1. at the mans chinese theater back in oct of 07, and i also saw it at a private screening in century city. im a 24yr old male, and no joke it scared the shit out of me. i love scary movies, but this one has to be right up there. i almost thought it was real!, anyways the 1st time i went the student of "paranormal state"(tv show) was there and we got to meet them, and they were giving us a preview of their show. 2nd time at century city. it was raining and i did notice they cut out some small scenes and what made it even more scary, as i was walkin back to my car.. i ran into SUGE KNIGHT! no joke..i took a pic with him haha..anyways yea this movie is crazy...i hope dreamworks doesnt fuck this up, the orginal way i saw it was best, but who knows!! im still waiting to see this movie again!!!
  • nikki
    How can I see this movie?? Please tell me!
  • sml
    THey wont release the movie because this was actual footage found in the house and the people actually died from this paranormal activity and this footage is not allowed to be released so thats why they have to make a remake.
  • Xerox
    Lmao @ sml. Dude no one died from this. Anyways, the original should be released when the remake comes out on dvd... sooooo it will be a very long time before I or anyone else can see it again... Great movie though.
  • Piojo
    Hey, probably the best horror movie I've ever seen, Im 26 Mexico City, married and it really freaks out, totaly believable, actually at first I thought it was real, and BTW I own a copy on DVD, I dont know how to, but I'll try to upload it to rapidshare or demonoid.
  • mirafox
    If you manage to upload it, could you send me a link? geekygirlychick@gmail.com.

    Thanks!
  • Name
    hey man! please give me a notice if you upload on demonoid or if you have a link! i so wanna see this movie, i would be for ever thankfull!
  • shane
    have uploaded im dying to see it.....my e.mail s_freeman_41@hotmail.co.uk lemme no..plz...thanks
  • 4Ruin
    Please email me with Rapidshare or Demonoid link

    Thank you

    csgrimm@gmail.com
  • George
    i went to see this movie not too long ago and it scared the living FUCK outta me and my GF. i really recommend this movie, it's so sick. i heard it's coming out in theatres sep 25th!
  • Benny
    i just saw the pre screening not long ago today. and i have to say i get chills still...this is the best scary movie since the excorisim
  • nemesis
    it was the scariest movie that i have ever seen. i couldnt sleep for 2 days after watching the screening of this movie.
  • ale
    This movie is crap and it gained some popularity recently due to massive spam by either producer's family or friends. It would have been much better if it didn't gained predvd popoluraty.
  • meehowj
    WHEN DOES THIS MOVIE GET RELEASED INTO THEATERS?
  • jesse
    I saw this movie in boulder.... scariest thing i have ever seen!!! preview is crap but the real film was amazing!! It still haunts me.... haha. But i dont want a remake i like this version
  • Jacob
    This is claimed to be the scariest movie of all time. Hands down! Its not for the faint at heart, and I dont say that lightly.Prepare yourself... This movie will haunt you for the rest of your lives.
  • James
    show this movie everywhere ! defiantly will be the scariest movie of this year
  • lrsrl56
    No way, cannot compare this to cloverfield because Cloverfield isn't even scary whatsoever and I'm a girl!

    I watched this a few days ago in Hollywood and it scared the crap out of me! trust me, I've watched all the episodes of "A Haunting" from the Discovery Channel and even that did not scare me as much as this movie.

    Some of you may think the trailer sucks but at least it doesn't give away the movie like most thriller/horror films.

    GO WATCH IT (if you're into horror films)!!! It's worth every effing penny!!!!
  • Jasonsmo
    I went and saw the movie last night at Citywalk..What scene is that with her sitting in front of the bed rocking back and forth????That was not in the version i saw last night..was that a original ending clip?? I am confused and scared at the same time
  • Paco
    *SPOILER ALERT* DONT READ IF YOU DONT WANT TO SPOIL THE MOVIE!!!

    Jasonsmo..the part that she is rocking back and forth i believe occurs immediately after she gets dragged across the hall. The part I didn't see in the movie was the part in the newest trailier where she looks similar to Linda Blair from the Exorcist.
  • Anon888
    The part with her rocking was in the original cut, but not in the current release - it's part of the changed ending. In the original, he doesn't get tossed at the camera, but she comes up the stairs with a knife, then rocks back and forth for DAYS until her friend shows up and finds dude man's body downstairs. Also, the Linda Blair shot in the trailer was part of the original as well - more footage of the failed exorcism from the other girl not Katie.
  • bigballz
    Dis SHIT IZ SUM BULLSHIT I JUST WATCHED IT AND ITS FOR RETARDED GAY PEOPLE
  • rafael@hotmail.com
    kfc is the best chicken in the world am eating some right now
  • briarfield
    went to one pm show. came home, took a nap, which was induced by the boredom of sitting through this. dont buy into the paramount propaganda. there is nothing here you haven't seen, and nothing worth seeing. BOR-ING
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