Paranormal Activity 2

[MacGuffin]

Possible directors of 'Paranormal Activity 2': Several young genre maestros ... and Brian De Palma
Source: Los Angeles Times

When it comes to "Paranormal Activity," nothing should surprise us anymore. This was a movie that was shot for $10,000 and became a $100-million-plus box-office powerhouse. And it did all that with no stars and no brand pedigree -- just a brilliant "America demanded it" marketing campaign.

So the fact that a number of emerging genre directors are being considered to direct the second picture in the haunted-house franchise (tentatively titled "Paranormal Activity 2" but probably soon to be renamed)  makes perfect sense.

More eerie, though, is that the studio is now seriously considering a trio of more experienced directors. And one of them is a person who'll really get your weird-o-meter spinning: Brian De Palma.

Yes, that Brian De Palma.

The iconic auteur behind "Scarface" and "Dressed to Kill" -- as well as more mainstream films like "The Untouchables"' and "Mission: Impossible" -- would be a strange choice to say the least. No doubt he'll bring art-house credibility and visual flair. But De Palma is known for shoots that don't always go for the lowest common denominator at the multiplex, that aren't always cheap (though his last movie, the Iraq film "Redacted," was a lower-budgeted affair) and a shooting schedule that doesn't scream quick turnaround.

(And if you think De Palma would be a bizarre choice, consider this: At one point, Akiva Goldsman, a quintessential Hollywood insider, was also in the mix to direct the film. Goldsman is the Oscar-winning writer "A Beautiful Mind." He's also the writer and/or producer on a host of big-budget studio movies, including "The Da Vinci Code" and "I Am Legend." He won't direct the film in the end, but the fact that Paramount and the movie's producers were considering him suggests they want to give the film a different kind of gloss than the no-budget, unknown-driven first picture.)

Of course there's a logic to that sort of thinking: Oren Peli's original "Paranormal," which had few auterish touches, could, in the wrong hands, yield a low-end sequel (think "Blair Witch 2: Book of Secrets"). If nothing else, De Palma would elevate the level of filmmaking from what a less experienced director might do.

As for the young genre directors, they include a more Peli-ish group of freshmen and sophomores: Brad Anderson (director of a Woody Harrelson-Emily Mortimer thriller a few years back called "Transsiberian") and Greg McLean (a writer and director on an Australian horror movie called "Wolf Creek" -- another low-budget title that made a nice multiple, $16 million in U.S. box office).

All this is happening because "Saw VI" director Kevin Greutert won't direct the new "Paranormal." The horror filmmaker had been all set to sit in that tall chair until Lionsgate decided to exercise its option on him for the next "Saw" film (a direct competitor at the box office with "Paranormal"), pulling him off "Paranormal 2."

Whatever producers and Paramount executives decide to do, they'll probably want to do it quickly. The movie doesn't yet have a director or actors (they'd need at least one new one, given how the first ended), and, last we heard, the script was still being worked on. But it does have a release date -- exactly eight months from now, on Oct. 22, just before Halloween. This is where a little supernatural magic might come in handy.

[MacGuffin]

Goldsman in Lead to Direct Paranormal Activity 2?
Source: ShockTillYouDrop

Paramount Pictures is close to announcing a director for Paranormal Activity 2, slated to open on October 22. And sources tell Shock Till You Drop that Akiva Goldsman is the one closest to sitting in the director's chair.

Last month, the L.A. Times reported a number of directors were circling around the sequel to last year's horror hit. Greg McLean (Rogue), Brad Anderson, Goldsman and Brian De Palma were all names thrown in the pot. But Goldsman, we're told, is the frontrunner right now.

Goldsman has worn many hats. His writing career began with the John Grisham adaptation The Client; this was followed by A Time to Kill, Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, Lost in Space and, later, I Am Legend, The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons. As a director, he's been at the helm of two Fringe episodes and an episode of Kings.

Paranormal Activity 2 would be his feature debut if he is in fact attached.

[modage]

I like ThePlaylist's version:

Akiva Goldsman To Direct 'Paranormal Activity 2'?

Perhaps only slightly less ridiculous than the endless casting announcements regarding "Captain America," ShockTilYouDrop are reporting that Paramount Pictures are close to confirming Akiva Goldsman as the director for "Paranormal Activity 2."

Originally set to be directed by "Saw VI" helmer Kevin Greutert, Lionsgate did the equivalent and pouting and taking their ball game home, when they decided to exercise their option on the director, pulling him off "Paranormal Activity 2" and forcing him to direct "Saw VII" (talk about torture).

Late last month it was reported that Brian DePalma was being sought for the director's chair, while Goldsman was pursued but "no longer linked." Well, it looks like De Palma came to his sense, with the sands in hourglass disappearing quickly, Goldsman now looks like he'll get his shot at directing the sequel.

Goldmans is perhaps best known for writing the worst Batman films ever -- "Batman Forever" and "Batman & Robin"-- and generally ruining whatever he comes near. Aside from directing some episodes of "Fringe" and "Kings," Goldsman never been behind the camera. But then again, "Paranormal Activity 2" could probably be directed by a highly trained monkey and the audience wouldn't know the difference.

[MacGuffin]

'Paranormal Activity 2' finds director
Tod 'Kip' Williams to helm horror sequel
Source: Variety

Tod "Kip" Williams is set to direct the much-anticipated "Paranormal Activity 2" for Paramount.

He'll direct the sequel from a script by Michael Perry.

Producer Oren Peli, who directed and wrote the original "Paranormal Activity," announced the news Friday morning on Facebook. Jason Blum also is a producer on the fledgling horror franchise.

Williams' previous credits include writing and directing Kim Basinger-Jeff Bridges drama "The Door in the Floor," as well as festival favorite "The Adventures of Sebastian Cole."

Last fall, "Paranormal Activity," produced for less than $15,000, was a runaway hit at the B.O., grossing $107.9 million domestically.

"Paranormal 2" is set to unspool in theaters Oct. 22 -- the same that that Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures open "Saw VII 3D.

Steven Schneider and Akiva Goldsman are exec producres on "Paranormal 2."

[MacGuffin]

Teaser Trailer here.

Release Date: October 22nd, 2010 (wide)

Directed by: Kip Williams  

Premise: Spooky hauntings are once again the main course in this Paramount Pictures follow-up to Oren Peli's wildly successful supernatural thriller, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY. Kip Williams directs from a script by Michael Perry.

[MacGuffin]

'Paranormal' trailer pulled from theaters
Teaser debuted during midnight bow of 'Eclipse'
Source: Variety

Cinemark is pulling the trailer for Paramount's "Paranormal Activity 2" from several theaters in Texas after receiving numerous complaints that the promo was too frightening.

Trailer debuted during midnight runs of Summit Entertainment's "Eclipse."

Cinemark has told Paramount it could pull the trailer from more theaters as "Eclipse" opens nationwide today, should there be additional complaints.

[squints]

Teaser Trailer here.

this isn't the trailer that was "too frightening" was it? lame lame lame marketing.

[polkablues]

Moral of the trailer: ghosts don't like it when dogs bark at them while they're using the bathroom.  It's not really one of those morals that can be applied to other parts of life.

Can I make it my entire life without seeing either one of these movies?  It'll be an uphill swim, but I think I can manage it.