Miramax will go back to school with a new version of “The Faculty,” the 1998 sci-fi thriller that became a box office hit and cult favorite. Robert Rodriguez, who directed the original, will produce the film.
Breakout talent Drew Hancock is writing the remake’s script. Hancock’s debut feature, “Companion,” which he wrote and directed, hits theaters this weekend. It has earned rave reviews. BoulderLight, the production company behind “Barbarian” and Zach Cregger’s upcoming film “Weapons,” is producing the new picture.
The original version of “The Faculty” focused on a group of students who begin to suspect that the off-beat administrators and teachers at their high school are hiding a deadly secret. The original movie boasted a screenplay by Kevin Williamson and starred Jordana Brewster, Clea DuVall, Josh Hartnett, Shawn Hatosy, Usher Raymond, Elijah Wood and Jon Stewart in a pre-“Daily Show” role. It grossed an impressive $63.2 million and has developed a following in the subsequent decades.
Rodriguez most recently directed “Spy Kids: Armageddon” for Netflix and the Ben Affleck thriller “Hypnotic.” His other credits include “El Mariachi,” “From Dusk till Dawn” and “Sin City.”
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Miramax underwent a leadership shift last year, with Jonathan Glickman, the former president of MGM’s Motion Picture Group, coming in as CEO. Prior to that, the studio had been led by Bill Block. The company’s extensive library, which Miramax has been working to revitalize, includes the likes of “Chicago,” “No Country for Old Men,” “Scary Movie” and “The English Patient.” To that end, “Scary Movie” is also getting a reboot and will open in theaters in 2026.
BoulderLight was founded by J.D. Lifshitz & Raphael Margules. They are represented by Range Media Partners. Rodriguez is repped by Robert Newman at WME. Hancock is represented by Range and UTA.