Last year, moviegoers were treated to some big name reboots - Michael Bay's version of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," Broadway classic "Annie" and Gareth Edwards' successful retelling of "Godzilla." The same can be expected this year: a new "Fantastic Four" movie, "Mad Max: Fury Road," "Jurassic World," "Poltergeist" and another "Friday The 13th" movie.
Joining the horror-genre is another Hollywood adaptation of the Japanese classic "The Ring" or "Ringu" in Japan. Originating from a novel by Kôji Suzuki, director Hideo Nakata picked up the story and put out the first film of the series in 1998. "The Ring" and its sequel titled the "The Spiral" (Rasen) was released at the same time. Numerous installments came after including an American adaptation released in 2002 starring Naomi Watts.
The reboot is reported to be in development under Paramount Pictures with Spanish director F. Javier Gutiérrez helming the project. It's uncertain if the movie will be a reboot or a sequel to Watts' second Ring film: "The Ring Two." According to a report from The Wrap, the film has already casted the lead actress, Italian up-and-comer Matilda Lutz. The report claims that the movie will be titled "Rings" and will be both a reboot and "the next chapter" in the series.
The Japanese version of The Ring's plot (possible spoilers!):
The story follows Reiko Asakawa, a single parent and a TV reporter who investigates a series of deaths caused by a cursed videotape. The mysterious tape is fabled to curse anyone who watches it, receiving a call saying that they will die within seven days.
Due to the popularity of the killer videotape, Reiko investigates the cases and ends up watching the footage herself. Receiving the call of her impending doom, she tries to find answers and a way to save herself within seven days from watching it.
She then discovers that the videotape's curse comes from a child named Sadako who possesses supernatural powers. Sadako was experimented on by her father who records their sessions, allegedly transferring her powers to the videotape. Eventually, her own mother kills her by throwing her into a well. Sadako spent seven days in the well before she died. The now vengeful child lives through the videotape, bringing death to anyone who sees her.
Check back for more news and updates on Rings as information becomes available.
