Haley Joel Osment will headline Wake the Dead, Variety reports, playing Victor Franklin in the modern-day retelling of “Frankenstein.”
Based on Steve Niles’ (30 Days of Night) graphic novel, the film is set to be directed by Jay Russell (Ladder 49, The Water Horse) and takes place in a present day college.
Wake the Dead will lead the charge of the upcoming “Frankenstein”-inspired films. Mary Shelley’s tale has, lately, been a major source of inspiration for Hollywood. In addition to Guillermo del Toro’s long-expressed interest in reimagining the novel and a recent stage version directed by Danny Boyle, Timur Bekmambetov is set to helm a prequel, The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein, based on the Peter Ackroyd novel of the same name. Summit Entertainment has another prequel, This Dark Endeavor, based on the novel by Kenneth Oppel. Dean Koontz’s own, modern day take on the story is slated for adaptation with Frankenstein: Prodigal Son. Lakeshore is aiming for an original, film noir slant on the monster with their screen version of the comic book I, Frankenstein. 20th Century has announced a currently untitled take and, last but not least, Tim Burton plans to return to his filmmaking roots with his Shelley-inspired stop motion release, Frankenweenie.
(Photo Credit: Joseph Marzullo / WENN)
