'Carrie' remake begins principal photography

Principal photography has commenced in Toronto, Ontario, on the horror film remake "Carrie," it was announced today (Wednesday) by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and Screen Gems.

The remake is set for a 2013 release.

Director Kimberly Peirce ("Boys Don’t Cry," "Stop-Loss") re-imagines Stephen King’s best-selling novel for MGM and Screen Gems’ take on the enduring genre classic. Starring Chloë Grace Moretz ("Hugo"), four time Oscar-nominee Julianne Moore ("Crazy, Stupid, Love," "The Kids are Alright") and Judy Greer ("The Descendants"), "Carrie" tells the supernatural tale of a telekinetic teenage girl tormented by her peers. The film is slated for a 2013 theatrical release.

The story is set in the quiet suburb of Chamberlain, Maine, home to the deeply religious and conservative Margaret White (Moore) and her daughter Carrie (Moretz). Carrie is a sweet but meek outcast whom Margaret has sheltered from society. Gym teacher Miss Desjardin (Greer) tries in vain to protect Carrie from local mean girls led by the popular and haughty Chris Hargenson (Portia Doubleday, "Youth in Revolt"), but only Chris’ best friend, Sue Snell (Gabriella Wilde, "The Three Musketeers"), regrets their actions. In an effort to make amends, Sue asks her boyfriend, high school heartthrob Tommy Ross (newcomer Ansel Elgort), to take Carrie to prom. Pushed to the limit by her peers at the dance, Carrie unleashes telekinetic havoc. Brian De Palma’s 1976 film version of "Carrie" earned Oscar nominations for stars Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie.

MGM and Screen Gems’ "Carrie" is directed by Kimberly Peirce and produced by Kevin Misher ("Public Enemies"). J. Miles Dale ("The Vow") serves as executive producer and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa ("Big Love") wrote the script from King’s original story. The film's creative team includes Director of Photography Steve Yedlin ("Looper"), Production Designer Carol Spier ("Eastern Promises"), Costume Designer Luis Sequeira ("The Thing") and Editor Lee Percy ("Boys Don’t Cry").

'Carrie' welcomes Portia Doubleday, Judy Greer

Two key roles in the upcoming "Carrie" remake have been cast, with actresses Portia Doubleday and Judy Greer joining the production.

Portia Doubleday

The cast already includes Chloe Moretz ("Hugo") in the title role, Julianne Moore ("Children of Men") as her mother and Gabriella Wilde ("The Three Musketeers") as mean girl Sue Snell.

Based on Stephen King's debut 1974 novel, the film tells the story of shy high school girl Carrie, who uses her newly discovered telekinetic powers to get revenges upon her classmates.

According to Deadline, Doubleday ("Youth in Revolt") will play the main antagonist, Chris Hargensen, and Greer ("The Descendants") will portray gym teacher Miss Desjardin.

Judy Greer

Kimberly Peirce ("Boys Don't Cry") is directly the remake based on a screenplay from comic book writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, who adapted King's "The Stand" into a graphic novel.

The original 1976 film, which was directed by Brian De Palma, starred Sissy Spacek in the title role.

It is expected that Aguirre-Sacasa's script will stay more faithful to King's book than the first film.

'Boys Don't Cry' director to helm 'Carrie' remake?

Boys may not cry but telekinetic girls get revenge.

Deadline is reporting that "Boys Don't Cry" director Kimberly Peirce is in talks to helm a remake of Stephen King's "Carrie."

The original film hit theaters in 1976.

The original 1976 film, which was directed by Brian De Palma, starred Sissy Spacek in the title role, a girl with special abilities pushed over the edge by her classmates at prom, leading to disastrous results.

News of a remake first appeared last May when it is was reported that MGM and Screen Gems had brought in screenwriter Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, who rewrote the "Spider-Man" musical. A comic book writer, he also wrote the graphic novel adaptation of King's "The Stand."

It is expected that, Aguirre-Sacasa's script will stay more faithful to King's book than the original film.

Despite King's connection to the screenwriter, however, the author did not appear pleased at the news of a remake, telling Entertainment Weekly in May, “The real question is why, when the original was so good? I mean, not 'Casablanca,' or anything, but a really good horror-suspense film, much better than the book. Piper Laurie really got her teeth into the bad-mom thing."

King added that he could "get behind it" if David Lynch ("Mullholland Dr.," "Twin Peaks," "Dune") or David Cronenberg ("The Dead Zone," "The Fly," "A History of Violence") was involved.

With today's news, however, that doesn't appear to be the case.

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa to pen "Carrie" remake for MGM, Screen Gems

It's hard to think of high school proms and not for at least a moment, recall Sissy Spacek covered in pig's blood in the film adaptation of Stephen King's "Carrie."

Well, MGM and Screen Gems will be attempting to recreate those memories with a remake of the classic horror film and have brought in Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa to write the script.

"Carrie" began scaring audiences in 1976

Deadline is reporting that Aguirre-Sacasa, who mostly recently rewrote the "Spider-Man" musical, will stay more faithful to King's book, comparing it to Joel and Ethan Coen's work on "True Grit."

Aguirre-Sacasa, a comic book writer, wrote the graphic novel adaptation of King's "The Stand."

Meanwhile, Entertainment Weekly spoke with King on the proposed remake, and he didn't sound overly thrilled.

“The real question is why, when the original was so good?" EW quoted King. "I mean, not 'Casablanca,' or anything, but a really good horror-suspense film, much better than the book. Piper Laurie really got her teeth into the bad-mom thing."

He did add that he could "get behind it" if David Lynch ("Mullholland Dr.," "Twin Peaks," "Dune") or David Cronenberg ("The Dead Zone," "The Fly," "A History of Violence") was involved.

For fear of sounding like a broken record, I'll skip my usual speech about remakes and simply ask why? No, really, I want to know, because I have no idea. Besides, didn't they already try this will the ill-conceived "The Rage: Carrie 2" in 1999?