Chloë Moretz And Haley Bennett In Contention To Be The New 'Carrie' [Updated]

Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don't Cry) is putting together a new film based on Stephen King's debut novel Carrie. Brian De Palma's movie starring Sissy Spacek and John Travolta remains one of De Palma's most entertaining films, packed as it is with over-the-top characterization and De Palma's trademark love of split-screen imagery. So my first reaction to hearing about another new Carrie (this isn't the first remake of the story) is 'why?' But having a female director is one way to make this seem like a worthwhile endeavor.

Now we've got the first indications of potential casting, as info has emerged about two possible choices to play the adolescent telekinetic Carrie White: 15-year-old Chloë Moretz (Kick-Ass, Dark Shadows) and 24-year-old Haley Bennett (Terrence Malick's film formerly called Lawless).

Update: Deadline says that Moretz has been offered the role, and that after testing last weekend, she more or less got the job immediately.Vulture says the two have read for the role, and top a shortlist that also includes Dakota Fanning, Emily Browning, Bella Heathcote and Lily Collins. Shailene Woodley (The Descendants) was evidently offered the job, but passed. Of all these choices, I lean towards Bennett, in part because she's more of an unknown. Moretz could play the part quite well, but I like the idea of someone bringing less known presence to the role. There are at least a couple other big female roles to cast in the film, too, so any of these shortlisted names could still end up in the movie.

There are also reports of Jodie Foster and Julianne Moore being possible choices to play Carrie's fundamentalist and sexually terrified mother Margaret, so memorably played with a venomously nurturing spirit by Piper Laurie in De Palma's film.

Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, this version is reportedly planned to be more faithful to King's novel, and "more grounded" than De Palma's film.