by Marc Patterson

Today begins lensing on yet another questionable remake.  Earlier today I gave up a lengthy diatribe on why I felt a remake, or should I say, a proper remake, of I Spit on Your Grave is unmakeable.  Now I sit down to a dinner consisting of a rather delicious Italian grinder and a jack-me-up energy drink only to pop open my email and see a press release announcing the official beginning of production for Let Me In.

To fully appreciate the gauntlet horror fans have already been put through over this film I’ll attempt a one paragraph history of the events that have led us to this point.  First came the gorgeous film Let the Right One In, a Swedish film based on the novel of the same name (Lat den Ratte Komma In), by Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist.  It was a film that took the horror community by storm, directed by Tomas Alfredson, by many considered to have been the best film of 2008.  (Myself included).  Right about the time it hit the US shores for audiences to see it was announced that it was going to be remade by director Matt Reeves, who we all know directed the sensational Cloverfield.  Let the bed not go cold.

First Let Me In was called a remake of Let the Right One In, then it was not a remake, but an original adaptation of the Swedish novel.  Now, according to the official press release, it’s back to being called a remake of Let The Right One In, yet one that will be placed “firmly in an American context”.  (Don’t get me started on what that could possibly mean.)  If the focus of the film feels shaky let’s talk about the titling.  First it was Let Me In, then somewhere along the line, for about two days morphed into Fish Head, which still has me scratching my head.  Now it’s back to Let Me In.  Someone take my life, please!

Now, I’m not a “hater”.  I try to keep an open mind.  But if I’m going to be honest I have to admit I don’t have an open mind.  Let The Right One In was instantly such a personal film for me that not only was it the best feature film of 2008, it also ranks amongst my five favorite vampire films, and given a few years to age I’m sure it will maintain a treasured spot in my top twenty of all horror films.  I love it so much I don’t even own a proper copy. I can’t find a Blu-ray with the proper theatrical subtitling, and I sure as hell won’t go Russian Roulette with ordering online.  I’m rather happy to watch and re-watch the studio screener that was sent to me.  (Which reminds me, if you happen to have or find a copy on Blu send me a message.  I’ll work something out.)  So, I have a really hard time buying into the line from Simon Oakes, President and CEO of Hammer Films, that “The brilliance of that story deserves to be seen by audiences on a wide scale”.  I would agree with that sentiment, but the reality is, it’s not going to happen.  The brilliance he speaks of was executed by Tomas Alfredson.  The same elements of brilliance that made Let The Right One In so poignant, groundbreaking, and frightening, are elements that will NOT resonate with a wide audience of American cinema goers.  It’s a sad reality, but reality nonetheless.

If this film is going to appeal to a wide American audience you’re going to need to tweak the story tremendously.  Mainstream America has no tolerance for art-house cinema, and it was Alfredson’s painstaking attention to detail in adapting the essence of the novel onto screen that instantly made the film a classic with horror-philes.  If Reeves manages to execute the same brillance I’ll likely fall out of my seat at the theater.  I hope he understands the full scope of what he’s up against with horror fans.  But part of me is sure that horror fans are only a minute part of the equasion.

For those who haven’t seen the press release reprinted elsewhere I’ll enclose it below for your own reading pleasure.  We’ll be watching this one closely.  Expect more from us.

Principal photography began today on LET ME IN, writer/director Matt Reeves’ adaptation of Let the Right One In, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Reeves (Cloverfield) and young stars Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road) and Chloe Moretz ((500) Days of Summer) were among those on-set as filming commenced on the Hammer Films production at Albuquerque Studios. Filming will also take place in various other locations in New Mexico before returning to Albuquerque to wrap in January.

In the haunting and provocative LET ME IN, an alienated 12-year-old boy (Smit-McPhee) befriends a mysterious young newcomer (Moretz) in his small New Mexico town and discovers an unconventional path to adulthood. The film is based on the bestselling vampire novel, Lat den Ratte Komma In, by Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist, and is an English-language remake of the highly acclaimed Swedish film of the same name.

The filmmakers note that while the new film will pay respect to the original Swedish version, they intend to forge a unique identity for LET ME IN, placing it firmly in an American context.

“This project is very personal to Matt as it is to the many passionate fans of the original story,” said Simon Oakes, President and CEO of Hammer Films. “The brilliance of that story deserves to be seen by audiences on a wide scale and we are excited that the pieces are in place to make that a reality.”

Updates to the cast list include Elias Koteas (Shutter Island) as the policeman, Cara Buono (“The Sopranos”) as Owen’s mother and Sasha Barrese (The Hangover) as “Virginia.” It was previously announced that Smit-McPhee and Moretz would play the leads “Owen” and “Abby” respectively and Oscar®-nominee Richard Jenkins (The Visitor) would play the guardian of “Abby”.

Hammer Films acquired the remake rights to Let the Right One In at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival where the film took home the Founders Award® for Best Narrative Feature. The production is scheduled for a 2010 release in the U.S. by Overture Films. Exclusive Film Distribution is handling worldwide sales and distribution of the film.

Producing the film are Hammer’s Oakes, Guy East and Nigel Sinclair, along with Oscar®-winner Donna Gigliotti (Shakespeare in Love). Hammer’s Alex Brunner and Tobin Armbrust will executive produce along with John Ptak, Philip Elway and Fredrik Malmberg. Overture’s Robert Kessel, EVP Production & Acquisitions, will oversee production for the studio. Swedish producers John Nordling and Carl Molinder, who produced the original film, are also involved as producers on this remake.

LET ME IN is the first film in a two-picture co-production, financing and distribution agreement between Overture Films and Exclusive Media Group, the parent company of Hammer Films and Spitfire Pictures.