The Possession remake appears to be coming together swifty, for better or worse. After learning that Smile director Parker Finn and The Batman star Robert Pattinson had teamed for a new take on the beloved 1981 psychological horror flick, it has been revealed that Paramount Pictures has come out on top in what seems to have been a pretty competitive bidding war. They will be the studio to usher this remake forward, which is important for several reasons.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount is closing deals with both Finn and Pattinson for their planned remake of Possession. It was said to be a contested situation, with Warner Bros. and Sony also in the mix. This comes just as it was revealed that Skydance Media has won a bid to merge with Paramount, meaning big changes are afoot at the legendary studio. Not only that but it’s important to note that Finn signed a first-look deal with the studio in early 2023 in the aftermath of Smile’s huge success, paving the way for this year’s Smile 2. So this keeps Finn in house.
The report notes that this is intended to be Finn’s next film after he wraps up Smile 2, which is hitting theaters later this year. He will write the script, direct and produce. Pattinson is also on board to produce alongside Roy Lee. What’s interesting is that Pattinson, whose name surely helped make this a hot package in Hollywood, isn’t yet locked in to star in the film. It’s said that his participation in front of the camera will be determined down the road. Though it seems likely he would take on the role played by Sam Neill in the original.
Andrzej Żuławski’s original film starred Neill and Isabella Adjani in a nightmarish portrayal of a marriage coming undone. While it was not a hit in its day, Possession has been re-evaluated over the years, becoming a heralded cult classic. As such, when news of the remake first broke, it was instantly labeled as a bad idea. We’ll have to see how it all pans out. For those who may not be familiar, here is the synopsis for the original film:
“Professional spy Mark returns to his West Berlin home to find his wife Anna insistent on a divorce. As Anna’s frenzied behavior becomes ever more alarming, Mark discovers a truth far more sinister than his wildest suspicions.”
The Possession remake does not currently have a release date. For more, be sure to check out the trailer for Smile 2 before it arrives in theaters this October.
