Fantasy Island, the popular television series which ran from 1977 to 1984 is being developed for the big screen by horror boutique production shingle Blumhouse. Kick Ass 2 director Jeff Wadlow, who helmed Blumhouse’s recently released Truth Or Dare, is set to perform the same duties here. He will also co-write the screenplay for the film with Chris Roach and Jillian Jacobs.
The series centered around a magical island resort, where people would come to have their deepest desires granted to them. The mysterious Mr. Rourke, played by the inimitable Ricardo Montalban, was the resort’s host, ably assisted by Tattoo, played by Hervé Villechaize.
Although mostly remembered in the same vein as another late 70s/early 80s series, The Love Boat, it actually makes sense for Blumhouse to be working on a Fantasy Island film. One of the recurring themes on the original series was that getting what you wished for wasn’t necessarily everything it is cracked up to be. A short-lived reboot in the 1990s – featuring Malcolm McDowell as Mr. Rourke – pushed that dark edge even further. It should be interesting to see how much further into that territory Blumhouse and Wadlow will push the franchise.
Via Hollywood Reporter.
