English language remake of Let the Right One In begins production in New Mexico

by John P. Meyer

Screen Daily reports that production has begun on the English language remake of Let the Right One In, the Swedish (!) vampire film that ended up being one of my favorite movies from 2008.

What, you're thinking? Another watered-down, formulaic reinvisioning of a fresh and original concept that needed no reinvisioning to begin with? Well, potentially, but still ... there's more to this story, and the "more" holds the promise of something beyond watered-down and formulaic.

First off, the movie is being filmed in New Mexico under the directorial eye of Matt Reeves, who did his darndest to breathe new life into the giant rampaging monster movie (a la Godzilla) with Cloverfield. Some of us even think he succeeded.

Secondly, Hammer Films is in charge of the production, and while they haven't done much for us lately, they certainly have a rich historical legacy of producing the creme de la creme of horror shows. (Remember all those Dracula movies starring Christopher Lee? That's Hammer.) This piece might mark their return to horror greatness, if the stars actually succeed in aligning.

Speaking of stars, the cast for the new movie -- titled Let Me In (D'OH! already dumbing it down for American audiences?) -- includes Kodi Smit-McPhee and Chloe Moretz in the two kid leads, with Richard Jenkins, Elias Koteas, Cara Buono, and Sasha Barrese acting in support.

In further support of the theory that this might prove to be a cut above than the standard remake, the new film's producers include John Nordling and Carl Molinder, who produced the original Swedish film.

Here's a link to the Screen Daily blurb, but note that it was taking FOREVER to load when I went there.

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