I can't say I ever saw a remake of writer/director Alejandro Amenábar's 2001 film THE OTHERS coming down the line. An original, non-franchisable idea that was brought to life perfectly by Amenábar and his cast and crew, the film was a hit at the time, but it's not one I've heard a lot about as years have gone on. Yet today it has been announced that Sentient Entertainment has come out the winner of a competitive situation over THE OTHERS remake rights.
The remake announcement refers to THE OTHERS as a "timely self-isolation tale" and mentions that Sentient plans to "reinvent and modernize" the concept.
Amenábar's film was set in 1945 and told the story of
a war widow who hides her children away in an isolated mansion due to a rare disease characterized by photosensitivity. The arrival of three mysterious servants unlocks the house’s terrifying secrets.
Nicole Kidman, Fionnula Flanagan, Christopher Eccleston, Elaine Cassidy, Eric Sykes, Alakina Mann, and James Bentley star.
The remake will be produced by Renee Tab, Christopher Tuffin, and Lucas Akoskin. Enrique Cerezo, Guido Rud, Michael Miller, and Jeeny Miller will serve as executive producers. The project is said to already be drawing "significant interest from A-list talent and studio backers".
Tab had this to say about the remake:
I am honored to be able to work on my favorite horror film of all time, THE OTHERS, and to bring this reimagining to the big screen for new audiences. It is almost eerie and uncanny how timely the themes are today: self-isolation, paranoia and fear, and of course the intense desire to protect our children and ourselves from harm. We look forward to unraveling the layers behind lead character Grace, whose pain and demons draw viewers into a truly compassionate journey."
I'm not immediately on board with the idea of watching a modernized version of THE OTHERS, but I'll give it a chance.