Scary Movie, the early-aughts comedy series that parodied horror movies like “Scream” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” is set to be rebooted. Paramount Pictures has announced a partnership with Neal H. Moritz, the producer behind the “Fast and Furious” franchise, to bring back the dormant film series.
The new “Scary Movie” is scheduled to go into production in the fall of 2024 and is expected to hit theaters in 2025. The original series consisted of five films, with the last installment released in 2013. However, horror movies have remained popular at the box office, drawing large audiences with films such as “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” “Smile,” and “M3GAN.” This provides ample new material for the “Scary Movie” team to parody and satirize.
Paramount will be working with Miramax, the studio behind the original film franchise, as part of their first look partnership. Miramax will fully finance the production, with Paramount handling distribution. Miramax recently appointed Jonathan Glickman, former CEO of MGM, as its new CEO. The collaboration between Paramount, Miramax, and Moritz creates an exciting opportunity to bring the “Scary Movie” franchise back to life.
Neal H. Moritz is also involved in other projects, serving as an executive producer for the upcoming series “Knuckles,” a sequel to the successful “Sonic the Hedgehog” film. Additionally, he is producing “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” expected for wide release in December 2024. Moritz’s work extends to other feature film projects at Paramount, including a reboot of the action flick “Face/Off.”
The reboot of “Scary Movie” comes at a time when nostalgia-driven content has found success in the entertainment industry. Revisiting familiar franchises and properties from the past has become a popular trend, appealing to both existing fans and a new generation of viewers. By updating the humor and references to align with current horror movies, the new “Scary Movie” has the potential to capture the attention of a wide audience.
Moreover, the partnership between Paramount and Miramax highlights the importance of collaboration in the film industry. Joint ventures and creative partnerships allow for the pooling of resources and expertise, resulting in more ambitious and successful productions. Working together, these companies can tap into their respective strengths to create a quality reboot that pays homage to the original while catering to contemporary audiences.
Looking ahead, it’s clear that the demand for comedy-horror films remains strong. The success of recent horror-comedy hybrids, such as Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” and “Us,” demonstrates audiences’ appetite for the genre. By infusing humor and clever satire into the horror movie formula, “Scary Movie” has the potential to resonate with viewers and become a box office hit.
In conclusion, the reboot of the “Scary Movie” franchise presents an exciting opportunity for fans of the original series and newcomers to the genre. With the support of Paramount, Miramax, and the experienced hand of producer Neal H. Moritz, the new film has the potential to captivate audiences with its fresh take on horror movie parodies. By embracing current trends in horror and comedy, the “Scary Movie” reboot may just become the next big hit in the industry.