Topics: Film and TV, Horror, Netflix, Stephen King, Entertainment
Netflix is set to remake a Stephen King classic which the author has said is one of his favorite movie adaptations.
The streaming service has already produced four successful King adaptations, from 2017's Gerald's Game through to 2022's Mr Harrigan's Phone.
Now, Stephen King's 1981 book Cujo is next in line for the Netflix treatment, Deadline reports, with a new movie remake on the way.
The chilling tale centers around a mom and son who find themselves trapped in an immobile car while protecting themselves from a rabid St Bernard.
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The original 1983 movie adaptation starred Dee Wallace and Danny Pintauro as Donny and Tad, who face an impossible decision; die of heat exhaustion inside their tiny vehicle, or run free and face the wrath of a crazed dog, who'd contracted rabies from a bat bite.
If you're a Friends fan, you'll remember Cujo as the movie Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and Joey (Matt LeBlanc) watched together when the charming sitcom actor realized he was developing strong feelings for his long-time friend and roommate.
Anyway, Deadline confirmed that Roy Lee - behind horrors including sci-fi thriller Companion and Amazon Prime Video's Them - will produce the reboot, while further details of the project remain under wraps.
Cujo is yet to attach a writer or direct, while news of any cast members - canine or otherwise - is currently unknown.
Sharing their thoughts over on X, formerly Twitter, movie fans had a mixed reaction to the idea of another Cujo remake.
"I can be down with this," one fan enthused, as a second agreed: "Can't wait!"
However, a third reckoned: "t's gonna be a another bad remake that we'll gonna forget in less than two weeks," as a fourth simply asked: "Why?"
A fifth shared: "I think the old style of these movies look a lot scarier than the newer ones," as another teased: "The only reason to watch this, is to see if they use King’s original ending."
Some were curious as to whether Netflix would change Cujo's breed, with some hoping to see a pitbull of a chihuahua take on the role.
In a 2016 interview with Deadline, King revealed Cujo is among his favorite movie adaptations of his work.
Asked if he had a personal favorite, he replied: "Well I have a number that I like, but I love The Shawshank Redemption and I've always enjoyed working with Frank [Darabont]."
Of the 'smaller pictures,' King confirmed: "The best one is probably Cujo, with Dee Wallace."
No pressure on Netflix, then...
Lewis Teague called the shots on the original 1983 movie, which grossed $21.2 million in the box office worldwide against its $6 million budget.
Netflix isn't the first studio to attempt a Cujo remake, either.
In 2015, Sunn Classic Pictures announced it would develop its own adaptation, titled C.U.J.O. - an acronym for Canine Unit Joint Operations.
Yet, nothing more ever came of it.
Further details on the new Cujo remake will no doubt be confirmed in due course, including an anticipated release date.
