The 1945 Boris Karloff cult classic Isle Of The Dead is the next project from RKO Studios to receive a modern updating. The studio has been recently raiding its vaults for films to be remade in an attempt to become a major production house again.
Directed by one of RKO’s best, Val Lewton, the original told the story of a Greek general (Karloff), who orders an island quarantined when a mysterious and deadly plague starts striking down residents. As conditions worsen, many start to believe that a vampire or demon may be the cause.
Newcomers Brian Horiuchi and Matt Lazarus will be scripting the new version. No director has been hired yet.
The studio currently has several other remakes in various stages of development. The Ice Cube-starring comedy Are We Done Yet?, a remake of the classic Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, underperformed at the box office earlier this year.
According to a Hollywood Reporter article, the island setting of the original is going to be changed to landlocked Afghanistan, so presumably a title change can be expected.
Related: RKO Horror Classics Set For Remake
