Universal Pictures and Dino De Laurentiis Co. are looking to remake 1984 horror movie Firestarter, with Mark L. Smith on board to write the script.

Based on the 1980 Stephen King novel, the original starred Drew Barrymore and grossed $17 million at the domestic box office. That film was also produced by Universal and De Laurentiis' Co.

Variety says the studio is aiming to turn the reboot into a franchise property and that "the main character is to be reinvented with a little more edge."

De Laurentiis Co. chairman Martha De Laurentiis and president of production Lorenzo De Maio will produce through the De Laurentiis Co. along with Steven Schneider through his Room 101.

"We see this as a unique, character-driven thriller with a supernatural edge, based on a timeless concept and enhanced by recent visual effects advances," Martha De Laurentiis said.

"'Firestarter' has a great mythology and with Martha and Lorenzo's vision we believe the franchise can be extended in a new and exciting direction," said Debbie Liebling, Universal's president of production.