It has been quite some time since Hollywood has produced a hit movie centered around an adorable dog, but that may very well change next year. That being said, the movie is coming from a very unlikely source. Blumhouse, the studio behindParanormal ActivityandSinister, is making aBenji rebootand it is filming right now. The studio also recently announced the cast for the movie, who also have a history with horror flicks.
Deadlineis reporting that the cast for thenew Benji moviewill be headlined byKiele Sanchez, who is known for her roles inThe Purge: Anarchyand the TV seriesKingdom. Other members of the cast includedGabriel Bateman,Darby Camp,Will Rothhaar,Angus SampsonandJerod Haynes. The report also noted that the movie is already in production in New Orleans.
Brandon Campis taking over the reigns of the franchise from his fatherJoe, who originally broughtBenjito life on the big screen in 1974.Brandon Campis writing and directing a new tale that will take place in modern day. The movie won’t feature the original dog, because he has been dead for several decades, but it will feature a recently rescued ‘Benji’ dog.Camppartnered withBlumhouse Productionsbecause the micro-budget studio is allowing him the freedom to create the movie he wants to make, which he has been trying to make for a few years now. The scenario is very similar to what his dadJoe Campdid back four decades ago with the originalBenji.
Deadline also noted that renowned animal consultantMark Forbesis no board for theBenjireboot. His previous credits include movies likeWe Bought a Zoo,Marley & Meas well asDoctor Dolittle.Blumhouseis mostly known for making horror movies for very low budgets, which typically turn a pretty good profit. The studio has dipped their toes in other genres before, having had a hand in the Oscar winnerWhiplash, as well as the more family friendlyJen and the Holograms. Granted,Jen and the Hologramswas a major box office bomb, but that was a rare misstep for the production company.
The originalBenjiwas made outside of the studio system and became a blockbuster hit, grossing nearly $40 million, which was quite a bit back in 1974. The movie spawned several sequels and spinoffs, but there hasn’t been any sort of Benji movie since 2004’sBenji Off the Leash, which wasn’t very successful. It has been promised that Blumhouse’shorror genreways will not seep into this first reboot, so don’t expect to see aCujo-esque version of the family-friendly dog anytime soon. At the moment, there is no release date set for theBenjireboot, but given that production is already underway, it is likely the movie will come out sometime next year.
