Ring The Changes

Dreamworks has spent around $1 million on acquiring the remake rights to the hugely succesful Japanese horror film, Ring. The original Ring, directed by Hideo Nakata, was released in Asia in 1999, and has since become one of the biggest Japanese films ever. It follows the investigation of journalist Reiko (played by Nanako Matshushima) into an urban legend surrounding a cursed videotape. When someone is unlucky enough to view the tape, they receive a phone call saying they will die within a week unless they show the video to someone else. Reiko uncovers the truth about the tape and Sadako, the evil spirit who is responsible for it. The phenomenal popularity of the first film spawned two sequels, and merchandise sporting the image of the ghoulish Sadako is also a big money-spinner. Dreamworks are keeping quiet about their take on the original, and there is no word yet as to director or stars.