Golcrest to launch sci-fi remake at EFM; UTA rep US.

Con Air director Simon West is to direct a remake of sci-fi classic The Blob.

Goldcrest will launch sales on the title at the EFM and will co-produce alongside Richard Saperstein and Brian Witten and co-financiers Taewon Entertainment & A-List Corporation.

Production on the remake of the 1958 sci-fi classic about an alien life-form that threatens a small town is due to get underway this summer.

Taewon Entertainment & A-List Corporation, based in Korea, will co-finance as their first major English-language project.

Jack Harris, the 96-year-old producer of the original 1958 film, will executive produce along with Judith Parker Harris, Shara Kay, and Laurence Freed.

Pascal Degove and Nick Quested will executive producer for Goldcrest; Tae Won Chung will executive produce for Taewon Entertainment and Ju Young You for A-List Corporation. Michael Roban, Michael Harpster, Kyu C. Lee, Armen Aghaeian, Edward Mokhtarian, Geno Tazioli, Holly Kobzina and Paul Harris Boardman are also executive producers.

Simon West is represented by United Talent Agency, which is representing US distribution rights to the project.

Degove, managing director of Goldcrest Films said: “Simon West has a unique gift for blending cutting edge effects, awesome visual spectacle and a hint of humour. He’s the perfect choice to reimagine The Blob and we’re so excited to be partnering with him.”

West added: “With modern CGI we can now fully realize the potential of The Blob. The world I create will be totally believable, immersive and emotionally satisfying. It’s a thrill to introduce an enduring icon to a wider audience and a whole new era of fans.”

Also new to Goldcrest’s slate is Roland Emmerich gay rights drama Stonewall.

Saperstein and Witten most recently produced Cell, based on the bestselling novel by Stephen King, starring John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson.