Whether you want it or not, the friendliest ghost you know looks to be coming back; Classic Media (who owns the rights to the character) is talking with Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment to bring him back to the movie world [The Playlist, by way of What’s Playing].
We’re not talking about a series of straight-to-DVD movies, however (which Casper has already been a part of since the late 90’s); Classic Media is aiming for the big screen. Much like the 1995 feature film, this new Casper would be a live-action affair with the title character and other ghosts in his family being rendered in CGI. I guess I’m the only one who would love it if the ghosts were just people in white sheets, so that dream will just have to die.
As for any ideas of a plot, Classic Media actually already revamped Casper and his friends in a 2009 comic series entitled Casper and the Spectrals, which took a whole new look at the mythology and the story and completely changed it. Like the writers of the articles I’m basing this information on, I also assume that’s where they are going to look for when the deal is signed and they need to move forward.
I really loved Casper when it came out in 1995 (I was 9 so it hit me at the right age), and honestly I’m all for the friendly ghost to make a return to the big screen. Classic Media seems very dedicated to changing and revamping the story for a new generation and it seems like there’s a bit more thought going into this than “ooooo CASHGRAB!”. So it’s already has 99% more thought put into it than any of the other reboots that have been released lately (like, oh you know, Yogi Bear or the upcoming Smurfs).
Any interest in seeing Casper return to the big-screen? Remember whether you are for or against it, they will most likely make it anyway since parents need movies to distract their annoying kids with.