Eli Roth is no stranger to characters dealing with murder, crime, punishment, and a variety of other horrors, and that should come in handy with his latest project. The director is on board to helm MGM/Paramount’s Death Wish, reports Deadline. The film, which stars Bruce Willis, is a remake of the 1974 action flick of the same name.
Known for his work on horror movies like Hostel (Parts I and II), Roth is known for violent and bloody work. Death Wish should be less gruesome, as it will focus on a man who is promoted by terrible circumstances to become a vigilante rather than an indiscriminate killer. The 1974 original starred Charles Bronson as the lead character, Paul Kersey, a man whose family was brutally harmed during a home invasion.
Roth replaces Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado (Big Bad Wolves and Rabies), who were previously set to direct. They reportedly left due to creative differences — their vision and the studio’s apparently diverged. As the new director, Roth will work from a script by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski.
At this point, it is unclear if Roth will appear in the remake as well. He has appeared in multiple films that he has directed over the years, including both Hostel flicks, 2002’s Cabin Fever, and 2007’s Thanksgiving, all of which he also wrote. Outside of movies he has helmed, Roth’s acting credits include roles in 2009’s Inglorious Basterds, 2012’s Rock of Ages, 2014’s Clown, and more.
A Death Wish remake has long been a possibility. A decade ago, Sylvester Stallone tossed around the idea of directing and starring in one, but it never came to fruition. Roth’s remake seems to finally be gaining traction, although no timeline for its release has yet been announced.
