Originally adapted in 1984 by Mark L. Lester, Stephen King's classic thriller novel Firestarter has had a new adaptation in the works for a few years now. When Jason Blum announced the project it was reported that Akiva Goldsman (The Dark Tower) was writing the screenplay for the film with Scott Teems (Halloween Kills) for Blumhouse and Universal, and the film has now picked up a director.
The Wrap reports that The Vigil director Keith Thomas will direct the new adaptation. It's worth noting that Fatih Akin (In the Fade) was reported as the movie's previous director back in 2018 following the film's initial announcement.
Firestarter tells the story of a young girl who develops pyrokinetic abilities and is abducted by a secret government agency that wants to harness her powerful gift as a weapon.
Blum and Goldsman will produce. Martha De Laurentiis, who was an associate producer on the 1984 adaptation starring a young Drew Barrymore, will executive produce.
On a related note, Variety also reveals that Blumhouse has picked up the domestic distribution rights to Thomas' feature-length debut, The Vigil.