So you’ve read the original 1983 Stephen King novel, “Pet Sematary” and you watched the first Film adaptation released in 1989. Why are they making yet another film adaptation of the story? As the first trailer arrives for the latest version of “Pet Sematary,” many are asking that question, and possibly the trailer alone will answer it. However, in their report on the subject, Forbes tells us why.

The trailer for "Pet Sematary" is certainly incredibly spooky and has been very effectively made. If the film follows suit – which often films don’t – we’re definitely in for a treat.

Paramount remake of ‘Pet Sematary’

Firstly, Forbes points out that the directors behind the new adaptation of King’s book are Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer, who were responsible for the excellent film “Starry Eyes” and is being adapted for the big screen by Jeff Buhler. The original adaptation was directed by Mary Lambert and at the time it was fairly unusual to have a female at the helm, not that this makes any difference to either adaptation. of course, although their reporter hints that it does.

Forbes writes that the first trailer seems a little confusing, but King fans will, of course, know exactly what is going on.

As noted by Consequence of Sound, it is definitely eerie. First, there is the huge truck, roaring by at great speed as the Creed family arrives at their new home. Next there are those familiar and scary beats, as costumed people roam the woods, and, of course, the Creeds’ new neighbour across the street. Of course, the repeated phrase “Sometimes dead is better” tends to ring in the ears.

Reasons for a remake of ‘Pet Sematary’

When the first film adaptation was released in 1989, the horror movie proved to be popular. Why it is being remade so many years down the line has a number of reasons. One is that horror is a hugely popular genre right now, with King TV and film adaptations coming out all over. But it’s not just “It,” “Gerald’s Game” and “1922” – other horror films are proving popular including gems like “A Quiet Place” and “Get Out.” These films had middling to lower budget costs but became blockbusters when it came to the box office.

The King adaptations are, however, another reason for the re-adaptation of “Pet Sematary.” While some of the initial adaptations of his novels were pretty lame, in recent years there have been some great film adaptations, including “The Green Mile,” “Shawshank Redemption” and the critically-acclaimed TV series, “Mr. Mercedes” among others.

Currently, the adaptation of King’s sequel to “The Shining” (another great film adaptation by Stanley Kubrick, although Stephen doesn’t agree) is under production with several big names being added to the upcoming film version of “Doctor Sleep.” With film technology as it is today, possibly it is the ideal time to remake “Pet Sematary” and keep going with the King adaptations and remakes.

While “It” wasn’t quite the success they hoped for, the second part of the story is also currently under filming and production.

As Forbes also points out, people who grew up reading King’s books and watching the films are now old enough to make their own interpretations of King’s work. Their third reasoning for redoing “Pet Sematary” is the fact that the first film went on to inspire many more horror movies that became hugely popular.

There is also, of course, the fact that the Pet Sematary itself is located on cursed ground and (teeny spoiler here) brings dead animals and other things back to life.

With the zombie horror generation we have today, thanks to “The Walking Dead” and its prequel “Fear the Walking Dead,” it seems like a popular theme. Who doesn't want to watch a film or TV series about a dystopian future in our current and scary present time?

“Pet Sematary” has an impressive cast, with John Lithgow (“Third Rock from the Sun”) as Jud Crandall, the Creed’s elderly neighbour, while Louis Creed is played by Jason Clarke (known for “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”) and Amy Seimetz plays the role of Rachel Creed. The film will premiere in cinemas on 5th April 2019.

Watch the trailer for "Pet Sematary" below.
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