According to Variety, Sausage Party co-director Conrad Vernon (who also co-directed Shrek 2, Monsters vs Aliens and Madagascar 3) has signed on to helm The Toxic Avenger remake of Troma’s cult classic.
Loosely based on Lloyd Kaufman’s classic Troma franchise, The Toxic Avenger is the tale of a high school kid who gets dunked in a vat of toxic waste by a corrupt chemical company. He survives the ordeal with one major side effect: upon contact with toxic chemicals, he transforms into a monster with superhuman strength.
In 2013, writer/director Steve Pink (Hot Tub Time Machine) was set for the Toxic Avenger remake with Arnold Schwarzenegger playing “the Exterminator,” a former black ops agent who trains Toxie to use his powers for good. Mike Arnold and Chris Poole (“Archer,” “The Grackle”) will rewrite the screenplay by Pink and D.C. Mitchell.
As with the 2013 iteration, the film will be produced by Akiva Goldsman, Richard Saperstein and Charlie Corwin. Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz will executive produce.
“Conrad Vernon is a subversive comedic genius. He is the perfect director to bring this iconoclastic franchise back to life,” Saperstein said.
“The opportunity to re-imagine a favorite cult-classic from my high school years is an honor. Toxie is an underground icon. My favorite kind!” said Vernon.
Are you looking forward to The Toxic Avenger remake? Let us know in the comments.
