Ghosted: Amazon and MGM Begin Developing (Another) Series Based on ‘Poltergeist’ Franchise
It’s a little early yet to say “they’re here!”. But they – poltergeists, that is – are on the way.
Amazon recently acquired MGM Films, and is reportedly in early development talks to adapt Poltergeist, one of its most iconic IPs, into a series.
At this early stage, there isn’t much to report: no writers are attached to the project and there’s no word on the plot, other than that the show will be set within the world of the film. Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey will executive produce for Amblin Television, which produced the 1982 movie that kicked off the franchise.
That movie, about a family that had the bad luck to move into a home built upon an ancient and cursed burial ground, was a huge success. The movie grossed approximately $121 million worldwide, far and above its budget of around $10.7 million. It was also nominated for three Academy Awards, including best visual effects, best sound effects editing, and best original score.
Two sequels followed in 1986 and 1988. Zelda Rubinstein, who played medium Tangina Barrons, and Heather O’Rourke, who played Carol Anne Freeling, the little girl who uttered the iconic “They’re here!” line, were the only cast members to appear in all three films. A reboot of the original film was released in 2015. O’Rourke died before the third film was released.
Poltergeist has already had one television adaptation, though it strayed far from the premise of the films. Poltergeist: The Legacy, which ran on Showtime from 1996 to 1999. The series, which later went into syndication, tells the story of the members of a secret society known as the Legacy and their efforts to protect humankind from occult dangers, so you’d be forgiven if you don’t remember it.
MGM also released a reboot of the original film in 2015, directed by Gil Kenan and produced by Sam Raimi. The movie received tepid reviews but was ultimately financially successful, making $47.4 million against an estimated budget of $35 million.
Poltergeist is one of many MGM properties Amazon is looking to repurpose; the studio is already at work on new projects based on Robocop, Legally Blonde, Barbershop, and more.