You just can't keep a good horror concept down. Or even one that was just okay originally. With Stephen King's work still being adapted all over the place, his Firestarter is getting a second spark of cinematic life with Akiva Goldsman aboard to direct.
First published in 1980, Firestarter was originally adapted into the eponymous film in 1984, with Drew Barrymore starring as young Charlene "Charlie" McGee, who has pyrokinetic abilities and can see the near future. As her powers bloom, she's targeted by a government agency looking to turn them into a weapon.
Jason Blum, who has just produced Goldsman's latest directorial outing, horror pic Stephanie, used that film's opening night screening at the Overlook Film Festival to announce that they are developing the new Firestarter for Universal. The studio has been trying to get this one burning again since at least 2010, but the Blumhouse team, which has seen success with Split and Get Out This year, could be just what the idea needs. Scott Teems is writing the script and Martha De Laurentiis, who was an associate producer on the original, will also help to shepherd this one.
It's not the only King adaptation Goldsman has been involved with recently – he co-wrote the script for The Dark Tower, which will be out in the UK on 18 August.