There have been so many official and unofficial "Amityville Horror" films released over the years, with most focusing on the supposed hauntings rather than the actual DeFeo family murders that made the New York town infamous in the first place. Hell, some films have even slapped "Amityville" into their movie title with no relation to any of the events. Up next, Amityville 1974 will serve as a prequel to the original classic, Deadline reports today.
The Wonderfilm Media Corporation announced the film today, with Casey La Scala (The Remaining) attached to direct and principal photography set to begin this coming November.
La Scala also wrote the script. Deadline details, "The focus shifts back to the traumatic murders that reputedly set the supernatural stage for the nation’s most notorious haunted-house legend. In November 1974, Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot all six members of his family in a spree killing that took on even more horrific hues a year later when a family bought the notorious property and lived in it for 28 days – a four-week window that became the core story of the Anson novel and its three big-screen adaptations."
"This is a story that takes its jumping-off point from the true facts surrounding the Defeo tragedy," La Scala said, "but also focuses on the human drama that took place inside a family as they were relentlessly stalked by a terrifying evil."
Jeff Bowler, founding partner of Wonderfilm Media, and Shaun Redick (Get Out) will produce for Wonderfilm. Todd Garner (Tag) will also produce. Bret Saxon and Yvette Yates will Executive Produce. Wonderfilm is fully financing the picture and its sister company. Wonderfilm Global, will launch worldwide sales at TIFF.