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FRIGHT NIGHT has always been one of my favorite horror films from the 1980’s. It has a genuine creepiness to it, while maintaining a sense of nostalgia. Roddy McDowall as Peter Vincent, the Vampire Killer – greatness. A while back it was announced that LARS AND THE REAL GIRL director Craig Gillespie was set to helm a new version of the 1985 classic, and now it looks like the film may have its lead. HeatVisionBlog is reporting that Anton Yelchin is currently in negotiations to star in the update, playing the title character (with the same character name as the original) Charlie Brewster. The new movie is said to repeat the original concept of a teen who is convinced that his new neighbor is a vampire, though no one else will believe him.
The new screenplay will be penned by Marti Noxon (several episode of BUFFY and MAD MEN). The original film featured William Ragsdale (remember HERMAN’S HEAD?) as Charlie, Amanda Bearse (MARRIED… WITH CHILDREN) as his girlfriend Amy, Stephen Geoffreys as the quirky best friend, Chris Sarandon as the vampire neighbor, and of course the aforementioned Roddy McDowell.
Yelchin is definitely solidifying his roots in genre movies, after appearing as a young Kyle Reese in TERMINATOR: SALVATION, a young Chekov in J.J. Abrams STAR TREK, and now this. I wonder who they’ll cast in the Peter Vincent role, which they BETTER keep in the script. That seasoned pro and young protege storyline is part of what made the original FRIGHT NIGHT so great. My suggestion, and not just because he shares the same last name as Roddy, but I think Malcolm McDowell could be a cool choice… though his role in Rob Zombie’s HALLOWEEN movies is already considerably similar. What are your thoughts? Tell us in the comments below.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
