DON'T TELL MOM THE BABYSITTER'S DEAD starred Christina Applegate as Sue Ellen Crandell, a seventeen-year-old who takes on the role of the head of the house for her siblings when the babysitter her mother hired died suddenly in her sleep. The 1991 dark comedy wasn't exactly a big success upon release, but it eventually developed something of a cult following when it was rediscovered on TV and VHS. Deadline has now reported that a remake of the film is in the works from Treehouse Pictures, who are looking to transform the film into a present-day retelling centered on a black family.
"Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead is an iconic cult classic," said Treehouse president Justin Nappi in a statement. "We look forward to bringing audiences a new interpretation that is as funny and outrageous as the original but also smart and connected to the world today." Executive producer Michael Phillips, who also served the same role on the original film, added, "I’m amazed at how many people can quote dialogue from the original film, and I think this team has a fresh and modern approach to the story that will resonate in a brand-new way." The remake of DON'T TELL MOM THE BABYSITTER'S DEAD is slated to be written by Chuck Hayward (Dear White People) with Bille Woodruff (BEAUTY SHOP) set to direct. I know I've seen the original film, but it's been a hell of a long time and I can't remember a single thing; that said, the poster art definitely brings back memories of picking up VHS tapes on the weekend at the video-store when I was young. Ah, those were the days. In addition to Christina Applegate, the original film also starred Joanna Cassidy, Josh Charles, Jon Getz, David Duchovny, and Danielle Harris.