Another addition to the horror genre set to scare audiences on the big screen this year is another Hollywood adaptation of "The Ring."
Originally a novel by Kôji Suzuki, the story was picked up by director Hideo Nakata who put out the first of many "Ring" films in Japan. The first film, titled "The Ring" or "Ringu" in Japan was released in 1998. The sequel called "The Spiral" was oddly released the same time as the first installment.
The Japanese version of the story follows Reiko Asakawa, a single parent and journalist who investigates a series of mysterious deaths caused by a videotape. A fabled curse is believed to bring death to anyone who watches the tape.
Due to the popularity of the killer videotape, Reiko along the way of the investigation ends up watching the tape herself. She is then informed about her impending doom.
She now goes on a hunt for answers and a way to save herself from the curse.
Numerous films followed including an American adaptation that was released in 2002 and starred Naomi Watts playing the lead role. The movie was a smash hit at the box office, garnering almost $250 million in worldwide sales; Watts returned for a sequel in 2005.
The latest reboot of "The Ring" is reported to be in development under Paramount Pictures with Spanish director F. Javier Gutiérrez attached to the director's chair. It is yet uncertain if this will be another reboot or a sequel to Watt's second ring film "The Ring 2."
A report from The Wrap claims that the film the film has already cast Italian rising talent Matilda Lutz to play the lead role and that the upcoming movie will be titled "Rings" and will both be a reboot and "the next chapter" in the series.
A more recent update from Daily Mail UK reports that Paramount has announced a released date for the reboot. Originally set for the studio's latest reboot of "Friday The 13th," "Rings" will take Jason Vorhees' place on the big screen in November this year on Friday the 13th.
The new "Friday The 13th" movie will now debut in 2016, releasing on May 13.
The latest reboot of the long running series starred Jared Palecki of "Supernatural" fame and earned $65 million back in 2009.
For more news on Paramount's latest reboot of "The Ring," check back frequently at Franchise Herald.
