As mentioned a while back, Fright Night is in the process of being remade. Anton Yelchin (Star Trek) had previously been cast as Charley Brewster – the main character who realises a Vampire has moved in next door. He joins forces with late night horror movie host Peter Vincent (played by Roddy McDowall in the original).
It was one of those films that you feel doesn’t need a remake. However, some news out today makes things a bit more interesting. According to Heat Vision, Colin Farrell has joined the cast in the role of Jerry Dandridge – that’s right. Mr Farrell is playing the Vampire of the piece. I’m not Farrell’s biggest fan, but when he is on form he is a great actor. Having him in the villainous yet charming role should be interesting to watch.
Then we have Toni Collette (Muriel’s Wedding, United States of Tara) who will play Jerry’s mom. Collette is a great actress and hopefully the character will have quite a bit to do in the film.
Here is the synopsis for the original film:
A teenage horror film addict is shocked to discover that his new next-door neighbor is a vampire in this delightful mix of horror and comedy. The problems only grow for young Charley Brewster (William Ragsdale) when he expresses his thoughts about fanged new neighbor Jerry Dandridge (Chris Sarandon). His girlfriend, Amy (Amanda Bearse), thinks Charley is avoiding their relationship issues, his single mom thinks Dandridge (Chris Sarandon) could be a potential boyfriend, and his buddy “Evil Ed” (Stephen Geoffreys) just thinks Charley’s losing it. Worst of all, Dandridge and his nasty assistant, Billy Cole (Jonathan Stark), are on to Charley’s wild notions — and have plans to pay him a late-night visit to silence him. With no one to help him, Charley turns to the one man he knows has faced the wrath of the undead and lived, the fearless vampire killer Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowall). A washed-up actor who has just been fired from his job as the host of a late-night horror show, Vincent is not about to believe in the rantings of an impressionable teen. However, lured by Amy’s cash offer, he agrees to help her convince Charley that Dandridge isn’t a vampire. There is just one problem: Dandridge is a vampire and when Amy falls under his evil spell, its up Charley and Peter to drive a stake through their potential romance.
There are only a couple of big roles left to cast in the film. The first is for Evil Ed, Charley’s friend. Any ideas on who could play him knowing what happens to the character? Then there is the main one of Peter Vincent. Who could play a washed up horror show host that ends up having to fight a Vampire? For some reason Bill Murray sprung to my mind.
Some interesting casting already on this one. Maybe this could be a rare remake that works. We shall see.
Source: Collider
