Perfectly timed for the novel’s 40th anniversary, Collider has brought word that Blumhouse’s upcoming remake of the 1984 adaptation of Stephen King’s Firestarter has found its male lead in the form of Zac Efron (Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile) as he has entered talks for the role. Blumhouse’s seeming confirmation can be viewed below!
RELATED: Blumhouse’s Firestarter Remake Poised for 2020 Shoot
Welcome to the fam @ZacEfron #firestarterhttps://t.co/LdTo1r4k3M
— Blumhouse (@blumhouse) September 29, 2020
Firestarter centers on an organization called the Department of Scientific Intelligence, aka “The Shop.” Two participants in their mysterious research program end up getting married and having a child. Their offspring, Charlie McGee, inherited pyrokinetic powers from her parents, who were given a low-grade hallucinogen called “Lot Six” during their college years. Now the government is trying to apprehend the young Charlie in order to harness her powerful and unique skills as a weapon.
Click here to purchase the original King novel!
Drew Barrymore previously played Charlie in Mark L. Lester’s 1984 adaptation that also starred David Keith as Charlie’s father Andy. Written by Stanley Mann, the movie earned $17.1 million at the box office from a $12 million budget. A TV miniseries titled Firestarter: Rekindled followed in 2002 starring Marguerite Moreau, Malcolm McDowell, and Dennis Hopper.
RELATED: Blumhouse Considering Making a Halloween Horror Nights Movie
After originally setting In the Fade‘s Fatih Akin for the job, Blumhouse partnered with up-and-comer Keith Thomas (The Vigil) late last year to direct the new adaptation while Scott Teems (Halloween Kills) is penning the script.
