The remake of 1978 Australian horror film Patrick, starring Rachel Griffiths, Sharni Vinson and Charles Dance, will begin filming at Melbourne's Docklands Studios on November 12.
Patrick is being overseen by the film's original producer Antony I. Ginnane and will be directed by Mark Hartley, who also directed the Ozploitation-focused documentary Not Quite Hollywood (the original Patrick was directed by Richard Franklin).
In a statement announcing the filming, Hartley said: “Growing up, the original Patrick and its director, Richard Franklin, were hugely inspirational to me as a young film fan and aspiring filmmaker – so, it’s an absolute honour to be part of the team delivering this classic love-story-with-a-body-count to the big screen in 2013. We’ve strived to intensify and surpass the jolts and atmosphere of the original – so, I can’t wait to thrill and unsettle a new generation of chiller fans.”
Patrick, which has been reimagined by screenwriter Justin King, begins with the disappearance of a nurse at a remote private clinic. Kathy (Sharni Vinson) takes up the vacant position under the watch of Matron Cassidy (Rachel Griffiths) and Dr Sebastian Roget (Charles Dance). Kathy is soon put to work caring for a mysterious coma patient simply known as Patrick, who develops a deadly and bloody obsession.
“It doesn’t seem 30 years plus since the original Patrick first terrified the world," Ginnane said in a statement, "probably because via video, DVD and TV Patrick has been a cult horror classic across those years. It’s exciting to begin the journey anew."
The film, which will have its world premiere at MIFF in 2013, will be distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Umbrella Entertainment.
Contact this reporter at bswift@www.if.com.au or on Twitter at @bcswift.