'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").

'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.