Child's Play (film series)
Encyclopedia
Child's Play is a horror film
franchise created by Don Mancini
, with its first installment, Child's Play, being released on November 9, 1988. The film has so far spawned four sequels and has gone into other media, such as comic book
s. The films all feature Chucky, a killer Good Guys doll with the soul of the 'Lakeshore Strangler' Charles Lee Ray. The films have grossed over US$176 million at the worldwide box office.
The series originally started out aiming towards a straight-out horror theme with Child's Play, Child's Play 2
and Child's Play 3
, but became more as a horror/comedy as they went on, especially starting with 1998's Bride of Chucky
and more so with 2004's Seed of Chucky
.
In January 2010, Horrorbid.com reported that Universal has given the greenlight for the remake (with Brad Dourif
reprising his role as Chucky), but pre-production is yet to begin. It was recently announced that the remake is slated for a release sometime in 2012.
! rowspan="2" align="center" | Film
! colspan="2" align="center" | Rotten Tomatoes
! rowspan="2" align="center" | Metacritic
released the first comic books based on the films, in the form of a three issue adaptation of Child's Play 2. It was later collected in a trade paperback. The success of the adaptation led to a monthly series of new stories starting in 1991. The series, titled Child's Play: The Series, ended in 1992 after only five issues. This was followed by a three issue adaptation of Child's Play 3.
obtained the license to publish Child's Play comics and released a one-shot crossover with Hack/Slash
titled Hack/Slash vs. Chucky which takes place after the events of the Seed of Chucky film. This was followed by a four-issue series called Chucky. A second volume began in early 2009 but ceased publication after only one issue.
would return as the voice of Chucky, and that they hoped for a 2011 release. Quint chats up Don Mancini, David Kirschner ... Interview at AICN
In a subsequent interview, Mancini described the remake as a darker and scarier retelling of the original movie, but one that, while having new twists and turns, will not stray too far from the original concept. At a 2009 horror convention, Brad Dourif confirmed his role in the remake. It was also confirmed in several interviews.
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
franchise created by Don Mancini
Don Mancini
Don Mancini is an American screenwriter, producer, and film director. Mancini is best known for creating the character of Chucky, and writing all of the films in the Child's Play series. Mancini was also the executive producer of Bride of Chucky, and he directed the latest entry in the series;...
, with its first installment, Child's Play, being released on November 9, 1988. The film has so far spawned four sequels and has gone into other media, such as comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
s. The films all feature Chucky, a killer Good Guys doll with the soul of the 'Lakeshore Strangler' Charles Lee Ray. The films have grossed over US$176 million at the worldwide box office.
The series originally started out aiming towards a straight-out horror theme with Child's Play, Child's Play 2
Child's Play 2
Child's Play 2 is a 1990 American horror film, the sequel to Child's Play, written by Don Mancini and directed by John Lafia . It was released on November 9, 1990. Veteran actors Gerrit Graham and Emmy and BAFTA-winner Jenny Agutter, star as Andy's foster parents...
and Child's Play 3
Child's Play 3
Child's Play 3, also known as Child's Play 3: Look Who's Stalking, is a 1991 horror film. It is the third installment in the Child's Play series with Brad Dourif returning as the voice of Chucky...
, but became more as a horror/comedy as they went on, especially starting with 1998's Bride of Chucky
Bride of Chucky
Bride of Chucky is a 1998 American comedy horror film directed by Chinese director Ronny Yu. It is the fourth entry in the Child's Play series. The film stars Jennifer Tilly and Brad Dourif...
and more so with 2004's Seed of Chucky
Seed of Chucky
Seed of Chucky, also known as Child's Play 5: Seed of Chucky or Child's Play 5, is a 2004 horror comedy film, which is the fifth entry in the Child's Play series. The film was written and directed by Don Mancini, who created Child's Play and has written all sequels to date...
.
In January 2010, Horrorbid.com reported that Universal has given the greenlight for the remake (with Brad Dourif
Brad Dourif
Bradford Claude "Brad" Dourif is an American film and television actor who gained early fame for his portrayal of Billy Bibbit in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and has since appeared in a number of memorable roles, including the voice of Chucky in the Child's Play franchise, Younger Brother in...
reprising his role as Chucky), but pre-production is yet to begin. It was recently announced that the remake is slated for a release sometime in 2012.
Major characters
- Chucky (played by Brad DourifBrad DourifBradford Claude "Brad" Dourif is an American film and television actor who gained early fame for his portrayal of Billy Bibbit in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and has since appeared in a number of memorable roles, including the voice of Chucky in the Child's Play franchise, Younger Brother in...
) - The principal antagonist of the series. A merciless murderer whose soul gets stuck in a doll. He usually kills 'anyone' who gets in his way and frames the main protagonist(s) of each film for them. He is the only character to appear in all of the films in the franchise. - Andy BarclayAndy BarclayAndy Barclay is the main protagonist in the first three films of the Child's Play film series. He was portrayed by Alex Vincent in the first two films, who was replaced by Justin Whalin in the third film...
(played by Alex Vincent and Justin WhalinJustin WhalinJustin Garrett Whalin is an American actor best known for his role as Jimmy Olsen in the American television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.-Early life:...
) - The original protagonist who Chucky goes after to transfer his soul into the boy's body, as well as successfully framing him for the murders. Appears in the first three films and was written out of the fourth and fifth films but was originally going to be killed off in the early scripts to Bride and Seed. - Karen Barclay (played by Catherine HicksCatherine HicksCatherine Mary Hicks is an American stage, film, television actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Annie Camden on the long-running television series 7th Heaven and as Karen Barclay in Child's Play.-Personal life:...
) - Andy's mother who buys him a Good Guy doll for his birthday unaware that the one she picked was possessed by a serial killer. Initially she refuses to believe that Chucky was alive but she soon finds out when he comes alive and tries to kill her. In Child's Play 2 she is written out of the story when she was taken away to an insane asylum when no one believes her about Chucky. Appears only in the first film and is mentioned in the second and third films. - Detective Mike Norris (played by Chris SarandonChris SarandonChris Sarandon is an American actor who was married to actress Susan Sarandon between 1968 and 1979. He is best known for playing Prince Humperdinck in the film The Princess Bride, the vampire Jerry Dandridge in Fright Night and Detective Mike Norris in the first entry of the Child's Play series,...
) - A detective investigating the murder of Andy's babysitter. He is also responsible for Chucky's demise prompting him to transfer his soul into a Good Guy doll. He initially refuses to believe the Barclays but when Chucky tries to kill him, he becomes an ally to the family. Appears only in the first film. - Kyle (played by Christine EliseChristine EliseChristine Elise is an American film and television actress.-Personal life:Born Christine Elise McCarthy in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of artists, she graduated from the Boston Latin School in 1983...
) - Andy's teenage foster sister whom he ends up staying with. At first she finds Andy to be a pain on her side but starts to back up his story about Chucky when she witnesses him trying to take his soul and later finds their foster mother murdered by Chucky. She then goes to find Andy (under Chucky's commend) and ends up saving his life in the Good Guy factory as well as helping him destroy Chucky after he tries to kill him after the voodoo soul transfer spell goes awry. Appears in the second film and was written out of the series and wasn't seen or even mentioned at all in the third film. - Mr. Sullivan (played by Peter HaskellPeter HaskellPeter Abraham Haskell was an American actor who worked primarily in television.-Early years:Haskell was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Rose Veronica Golden and geophysicist Norman Abraham Haskell...
) - The greedy and arrogant CEO of Good Guy Toys Inc., First appears in Child's Play 2 upon learning of Andy's Good Guy Doll supposedly becoming possessed by the soul of Charles Lee Ray, and tries to protect the company's reputation from angry stockholders. He also appears in Child's Play 3 when he moves Good Guys Toys forward with producing more dolls, however he is killed by Chucky when he accesses Sullivan's office computer to find Andy in Military School. - Ronald Tyler (played by Jeremy Sylvers) - A young private boy who befriends Andy at the military school he is sent to after failing to cope with living at a series of foster homes. When he finds Chucky (who mailed himself to the same military school to go after Andy again) he decides to go after Tyler instead. At first, Tyler finds Chucky to be a nice guy but realizes the true colors of the doll's evil murderous ways once he attempts to transfer his soul into his body much like he attempted to do with Andy in the first two films. Appears in the third film, written out of the series (along with Andy) but was originally going to be killed off alongside Andy in the original draft to Seed of Chucky.
- Kristen De Silva (played by Perrey ReevesPerrey ReevesPerrey Reeves is an American film and television actress best known for her role on HBO's Entourage.- Life and career :...
) - Andy's girlfriend at the military school he attends, ends up sticking up for him when Shelton and the other guys take a liking in bullying him. Appears in the third film. - Jack Santos (played by Tommy Swerdlow) - Mike's partner who was also investigating Andy's babysitter's death. In the beginning of the first film, he was mostly the cop who drove Mike's car to chase Eddie Caputo in his van. He was also one of the police officers that believed Andy was the killer. During the end, he tried to show Mike that Chucky wasn't alive, but was nearly killed by him and then he believed that the Barclays and Mike were telling the truth. He only appeared in the first film.
- TiffanyTiffany (Child's Play)Tiffany is a murderous doll and the main protagonist featured in the latter two films in the Child's Play series of horror films, famous for featuring the iconic killer doll Chucky....
(played by Jennifer TillyJennifer TillyJennifer Tilly is an American actress and poker player. She is an Academy Award nominee, and a World Series of Poker Ladies' Event bracelet winner. She is the older sister of actress Meg Tilly.-Early life:...
) - Charles Lee Ray's ex-girlfriend (and later, on, ex-wife) who later gets her soul stuck in a doll like Chucky. Appears in Bride and Seed. - Glen Ray (Tilly)Glen TillyGlen Ray, formerly known as Shitface, is a fictional character, in the Child's Play horror film series, with the original screenplay credited to Don Mancini. He is voiced by Billy Boyd, making him the only living doll character not to be voiced by an Academy Award-nominee...
(played by Billy Boyd) - Chucky and Tiffany's original child and Glenda's twin brother. He was an orphan for the first five or six years of his life until he saw his parents on television. Glen is a good person, and he doesn't like violence and definitely does not like murder like his parents. He fears but still loves his dad due to the fact he killed Chucky in a misunderstanding. He is the only living doll character not to be voiced by an Academy Award nominee. Appears in Bride (at the end as an infant) and Seed. - Glenda Ray (Tilly) - Chucky and Tiffany's second child and the twin sister of Glen. Was originally part of Glen's mind but was reborn as a human. She is violent, sadistic, and cruel. She is even more ruthless than her father. Appears in Seed.
- Jesse (played by Nick StabileNick StabileNick Stabile is an American television actor. He played Gabe Capshaw on the show, Saints and Sinners. He is well known for playing the role of Jesse in the slasher film Bride of Chucky...
) - former friend of Tiffany Ray and boyfriend of Jade. He was greatly disliked by Jade's uncle and believed to be responsible for his death until Chucky and Tiffany reveals themselves. In the end, Jade kills Chucky and she and Jesse leave the scene. It is unknown what happened to them afterwards. Appears in Bride of Chucky; mentioned and killed in early draft of Seed of Chucky. - Jade (played by Katherine HeiglKatherine HeiglKatherine Marie Heigl is an American actress and producer. She is possibly best known for her role as Dr. Izzie Stevens on ABC's Grey's Anatomy from 2005 to 2010, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress – Drama Series in 2007...
) - girlfriend of Jesse. Her uncle Warren is killed by Chucky and Tiffany early in the film. In the end, she shoots Chucky dead, and she and Jesse leave the scene. It is unknown what happened to them afterwards. Appears in Bride of Chucky; mentioned and killed in early draft of Seed of Chucky.
Overview
| Film | Year | Cast | Director | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Distributor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child's Play | 1988 | Catherine Hicks Catherine Hicks Catherine Mary Hicks is an American stage, film, television actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Annie Camden on the long-running television series 7th Heaven and as Karen Barclay in Child's Play.-Personal life:... Chris Sarandon Chris Sarandon Chris Sarandon is an American actor who was married to actress Susan Sarandon between 1968 and 1979. He is best known for playing Prince Humperdinck in the film The Princess Bride, the vampire Jerry Dandridge in Fright Night and Detective Mike Norris in the first entry of the Child's Play series,... Brad Dourif Brad Dourif Bradford Claude "Brad" Dourif is an American film and television actor who gained early fame for his portrayal of Billy Bibbit in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and has since appeared in a number of memorable roles, including the voice of Chucky in the Child's Play franchise, Younger Brother in... Alex Vincent |
Tom Holland Tom Holland (director) -Early life:Holland was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, the son of Lee and Tom Holland. He graduated from Worcester Academy in 1962. He is the uncle of Dexter Holland, the singer and guitarist for the American punk rock band, The Offspring, and father of American actor Josh Holland.-Dead Rabbit... |
Story: Don Mancini Don Mancini Don Mancini is an American screenwriter, producer, and film director. Mancini is best known for creating the character of Chucky, and writing all of the films in the Child's Play series. Mancini was also the executive producer of Bride of Chucky, and he directed the latest entry in the series;... Screenplay: Don Mancini Don Mancini Don Mancini is an American screenwriter, producer, and film director. Mancini is best known for creating the character of Chucky, and writing all of the films in the Child's Play series. Mancini was also the executive producer of Bride of Chucky, and he directed the latest entry in the series;... John Lafia John Lafia John Lafia is an American film and television writer, director, and producer. He attended UCLA, where he received his Bachelors in Film. Lafia's first film was The Blue Iguana, which he wrote and directed... Tom Holland Tom Holland (director) -Early life:Holland was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, the son of Lee and Tom Holland. He graduated from Worcester Academy in 1962. He is the uncle of Dexter Holland, the singer and guitarist for the American punk rock band, The Offspring, and father of American actor Josh Holland.-Dead Rabbit... |
David Kirschner David Kirschner David Kirschner is an American film and television producer, particularly of animated features.After studying at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, David Kirschner once worked as an illustrator of Muppets and Sesame Street characters, and created the children's book... |
MGM/United Artists United Artists United Artists Corporation is an American film studio. The original studio of that name was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks.... |
| Child's Play 2 Child's Play 2 Child's Play 2 is a 1990 American horror film, the sequel to Child's Play, written by Don Mancini and directed by John Lafia . It was released on November 9, 1990. Veteran actors Gerrit Graham and Emmy and BAFTA-winner Jenny Agutter, star as Andy's foster parents... |
1990 | Alex Vincent Jenny Agutter Jenny Agutter Jennifer Ann "Jenny" Agutter is an English film and television actress. She began her career as a child actress in the mid 1960s, starring in the BBC television series The Railway Children and the film adaptation of the same book, before moving on to adult roles and relocating to Hollywood.She... Gerrit Graham Gerrit Graham Gerrit Graham is an American actor and songwriter. He's appeared in such films as Used Cars, TerrorVision, National Lampoon's Class Reunion, and Greetings, where he worked with Brian DePalma for the first time... Christine Elise Christine Elise Christine Elise is an American film and television actress.-Personal life:Born Christine Elise McCarthy in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of artists, she graduated from the Boston Latin School in 1983... Brad Dourif |
John Lafia John Lafia John Lafia is an American film and television writer, director, and producer. He attended UCLA, where he received his Bachelors in Film. Lafia's first film was The Blue Iguana, which he wrote and directed... |
Don Mancini | Universal Pictures Universal Pictures -1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire... |
|
| Child's Play 3 Child's Play 3 Child's Play 3, also known as Child's Play 3: Look Who's Stalking, is a 1991 horror film. It is the third installment in the Child's Play series with Brad Dourif returning as the voice of Chucky... |
1991 | Justin Whalin Justin Whalin Justin Garrett Whalin is an American actor best known for his role as Jimmy Olsen in the American television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.-Early life:... Perrey Reeves Perrey Reeves Perrey Reeves is an American film and television actress best known for her role on HBO's Entourage.- Life and career :... Jeremy Sylvers Travis Fine Travis Fine Travis Lane Fine is an American actor, writer, director and producer, perhaps best known for his roles in Girl, Interrupted and The Young Riders.-Personal life:... Dean Jacobson Brad Dourif |
Jack Bender Jack Bender Jack Bender is an American television and film director, actor, television producer and also a screenwriter. Bender was an executive producer and lead director on the ABC television series, Lost. He directed the series finale of Lost. Bender has also directed on other popular shows such as The... |
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| Bride of Chucky Bride of Chucky Bride of Chucky is a 1998 American comedy horror film directed by Chinese director Ronny Yu. It is the fourth entry in the Child's Play series. The film stars Jennifer Tilly and Brad Dourif... |
1998 | Jennifer Tilly Jennifer Tilly Jennifer Tilly is an American actress and poker player. She is an Academy Award nominee, and a World Series of Poker Ladies' Event bracelet winner. She is the older sister of actress Meg Tilly.-Early life:... Brad Dourif Katherine Heigl Katherine Heigl Katherine Marie Heigl is an American actress and producer. She is possibly best known for her role as Dr. Izzie Stevens on ABC's Grey's Anatomy from 2005 to 2010, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress – Drama Series in 2007... Nick Stabile Nick Stabile Nick Stabile is an American television actor. He played Gabe Capshaw on the show, Saints and Sinners. He is well known for playing the role of Jesse in the slasher film Bride of Chucky... |
Ronny Yu Ronny Yu Ronny Yu Yan-Tai is a Hong Kong director, producer, and movie writer. Yu was born in Hong Kong and graduated from Ohio University. He has worked on both Hong Kong and American films.- Career :... |
Grace Gilroy David Kirschner |
||
| Seed of Chucky Seed of Chucky Seed of Chucky, also known as Child's Play 5: Seed of Chucky or Child's Play 5, is a 2004 horror comedy film, which is the fifth entry in the Child's Play series. The film was written and directed by Don Mancini, who created Child's Play and has written all sequels to date... |
2004 | Jennifer Tilly Redman Hannah Spearritt Hannah Spearritt Hannah Louise Spearritt is an English actress and singer. She was previously a member of the pop group S Club 7. She is also known for playing the role of Abby Maitland in the British drama Primeval.... Billy Boyd Brad Dourif |
Don Mancini Don Mancini Don Mancini is an American screenwriter, producer, and film director. Mancini is best known for creating the character of Chucky, and writing all of the films in the Child's Play series. Mancini was also the executive producer of Bride of Chucky, and he directed the latest entry in the series;... |
David Kirschner Corey Sienega |
Rogue Pictures Rogue Pictures Rogue is a subsidiary of Relativity Media. The company has about 25 titles in its library.- Background :In 1997, Rogue Pictures was formed as a division of PolyGram Pictures but the name was dropped in 2000 after Universal Pictures bought PolyGram... |
Box office
| Film | Release date | Box office revenue | Box office ranking | Budget | Reference | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Foreign | Worldwide | All time domestic | All time worldwide | ||||
| Child's Play | November 9, 1988 | $33,244,684 | $10,952,000 | $44,196,684 | #1,680 | $9,000,000 | ||
| Child's Play 2 Child's Play 2 Child's Play 2 is a 1990 American horror film, the sequel to Child's Play, written by Don Mancini and directed by John Lafia . It was released on November 9, 1990. Veteran actors Gerrit Graham and Emmy and BAFTA-winner Jenny Agutter, star as Andy's foster parents... |
November 9, 1990 | $28,501,605 | $7,262,000 | $35,763,605 | #1,916 | $13,000,000 | ||
| Child's Play 3 Child's Play 3 Child's Play 3, also known as Child's Play 3: Look Who's Stalking, is a 1991 horror film. It is the third installment in the Child's Play series with Brad Dourif returning as the voice of Chucky... |
August 30, 1991 | $14,960,255 | $5,600,000 | $20,560,255 | #2,896 | |||
| Bride of Chucky Bride of Chucky Bride of Chucky is a 1998 American comedy horror film directed by Chinese director Ronny Yu. It is the fourth entry in the Child's Play series. The film stars Jennifer Tilly and Brad Dourif... |
October 16, 1998 | $32,404,188 | $18,288,000 | $50,692,188 | #1,727 | $25,000,000 | ||
| Seed of Chucky Seed of Chucky Seed of Chucky, also known as Child's Play 5: Seed of Chucky or Child's Play 5, is a 2004 horror comedy film, which is the fifth entry in the Child's Play series. The film was written and directed by Don Mancini, who created Child's Play and has written all sequels to date... |
November 12, 2004 | $17,083,732 | $7,745,912 | $24,829,644 | #2,685 | $12,000,000 | ||
| Total | $126,194,464 | $49,847,912 | $176,042,376 | $59,000,000(E) | ||||
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Reviews
{| class="wikitable" width=99% border="1"! rowspan="2" align="center" | Film
! colspan="2" align="center" | Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
! rowspan="2" align="center" | Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
Innovation Publishing
Beginning in 1990, Innovation PublishingInnovation Publishing
Innovation Publishing was an American comic book company based in Wheeling, West Virginia. It was co-founded by David Campiti in 1988 after writing a business proposal and raising US$400,000 to finance its launch...
released the first comic books based on the films, in the form of a three issue adaptation of Child's Play 2. It was later collected in a trade paperback. The success of the adaptation led to a monthly series of new stories starting in 1991. The series, titled Child's Play: The Series, ended in 1992 after only five issues. This was followed by a three issue adaptation of Child's Play 3.
Devil's Due Publishing
In 2007, Devil's Due PublishingDevil's Due Publishing
Devil's Due Publishing is an independent comic book publishers in the United States. Based in Chicago, Illinois, DDP is best known for its wide selection of genres, including licensed and original creator-owned properties that populate its monthly comic book series and graphic novels.Though...
obtained the license to publish Child's Play comics and released a one-shot crossover with Hack/Slash
HACK/slash
Hack/Slash is an ongoing comic books series, launched from several one shots of the same name, published by Image Comics ....
titled Hack/Slash vs. Chucky which takes place after the events of the Seed of Chucky film. This was followed by a four-issue series called Chucky. A second volume began in early 2009 but ceased publication after only one issue.
Remake
In an August 2008 interview, Don Mancini and David Kirschner spoke of a planned reboot of the franchise to be written and directed by Mancini. They described their choice of a remake over a sequel as a response to the will of the fans, who "want to see a scary Chucky movie again", and "want to go back to the straightforward horror rather than the horror comedy." They indicated that Brad DourifBrad Dourif
Bradford Claude "Brad" Dourif is an American film and television actor who gained early fame for his portrayal of Billy Bibbit in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and has since appeared in a number of memorable roles, including the voice of Chucky in the Child's Play franchise, Younger Brother in...
would return as the voice of Chucky, and that they hoped for a 2011 release. Quint chats up Don Mancini, David Kirschner ... Interview at AICN
In a subsequent interview, Mancini described the remake as a darker and scarier retelling of the original movie, but one that, while having new twists and turns, will not stray too far from the original concept. At a 2009 horror convention, Brad Dourif confirmed his role in the remake. It was also confirmed in several interviews.