This is the worst kind of casting “news” because it’s not really news if it isn’t official, but I need to fill digital column space so here goes. Word out of The Wrap is Sam Rockwell is eying a lead role in MGM’s Poltergeist remake opposite Rosemarie DeWitt. The actor is apparently “intrigued by the prospect of a lead role in a studio movie produced by horror maestro Sam Raimi” whose most recent efforts as either producer or director include the Evil Dead remake and Oz the Great and Powerful.
Gil Kenan (Monster House) is directing the film from a script by David Lindsay-Abaire, who wrote Oz for Raimi.
Word is the film will follow the same plot as the original though the name of the family has been changed from the Freelings to the Bowens and instead of the young daughter’s name being Carol-Anne, it will be Madison.
Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre) directed the original which was co-written by Steven Spielberg and starred Craig T. Nelson and Jobeth Williams.