By MICHAEL GINGOLD
The ill-fated 1999 horror/comedy is the latest to get a modern reimagining.
Variety reports that STRANGER THINGS star Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk will write Sony Pictures’ new version of IDLE HANDS, which starred Devon Sawa as a teenage slacker whose hand becomes possessed by a murderous demon. That film had the misfortune to open directly in the wake of the Columbine shootings, which led it to be unfairly targeted as an exemplar of irresponsibly violent entertainment, negatively impacting its box office. Wolfhard and Bryk are also likely to direct the remake; the duo scripted and helmed HELL OF A SUMMER, which premiered at last year’s Toronto Film Festival and was picked up by Neon for theatrical release next summer. The new IDLE HANDS will be produced by Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan of the recent GHOSTBUSTERS revival movies, which Wolfhard and Bryk were also part of, along with the original’s Jennifer Todd and Suzanne Todd.
