Summary
Stephen Kingfans recently learned that his1981 novelCujowas getting aNetflixremake, and now a director is potentially attached to the dark story.
Jeff Sneider posted onThe InSneiderthatDarren Aronofsky is in talks with Netflix to directCujo. At the time of this writing, there are no further details available about the project, except forRoy Lee producingthe film. Lee is known for producing horror movies such asDark Water,The Turning, andthe 2022 filmBarbarianwhich is full of unexpected twists.Lee has also produced several King adaptationssuch asIt: Chapter OneandIt: Chapter Two,Salem’s Lot, andthe upcomingThe Long Walk.
Aronofsky is known for directingdark films such asthe ballet thrillerBlack Swan,Requiemfor a Dream,The Whale,Pi, andThe Wrestler. He appears to be a fan of King’s work since, in 2020, according toJoBlo, Aronofsky’s production company Protozoa optioned the author’s short storyThe Life of Chuck. However,Mike Flanagan then became attached as writer and director, and the movie will be released on June 6th, 2025.
Netflix’sCujoremakewill no doubt put a contemporary spin on the story, especially sincethe original movie adaptation was released in 1983. However, it will be interesting to see if the remake will be set in the 1980s as well or if it will take place in present day. Either one would work as the core of the story is an innocent dog becoming evil and violent.
Cujowas co-written by Lauren Currier and Don Carlos Dunaway and directed by Lewis Teague.Dee Wallace starred in the movie asa motherdealing with a neighboring family’s terrifying dog. Like other King stories such asPet Sematary, IT, andThe Shining, Cujofeatures a young kid who is put in a life-threatening situation. There are also some moving scenes about a family trying to protect each other. The NetflixCujoremake will have to ensure that the dog is as scary as it was in the original film. If that doesn’t happen, the movie will be disappointing. Similarly, ifthe monkey in Osgood Perkins’s King adaptationThe Monkeywasn’t terrifying, the movie wouldn’t have the same impact.
Since Aronofsky’s movies deal with serious and sometimes grim subject matter, it would be interesting to see him put his artistic spin onCujo. Asmuch ofCujotakes place in the Trenton family’s car, it’s great news that a talented director might be behind the Netflix remake. Aronofsky’s films are always compelling and memorable, and his take onCujowould likely be the same.
Netflix’sCujowill joinseveral Stephen King remakes such as 2022’sFirestarter,2019’sPet Sematary, and 2013’sCarrie. There are also a few King adaptations currently in development, includingThe Dark Towerand the HBO Max prequelIt: Welcome to Derry.
