FRANCO & KILGORE TO REMAKE ITALIAN CULT CLASSIC RABID DOGS

As first reported on Deadline, Evan Kilgore and writing partner Samuel Franco have acquired the rights to write and produce a remake of Mario Bava's Italian cult classic crime thriller Rabid Dogs [a.k.a. Kidnapped], collaborating with the film's original executive producer, Alfredo Leone.

An adaptation of short story Man and Boy by Michael J. Carroll, Rabid Dogs was a departure for Bava from his colorful horror films. The film had a challenged journey to screen. Mid-shoot, producer Roberto Loyola declared bankruptcy, resulting in the-then incomplete film being shelved. The movie remained unseen for more than two decades, but has since been released in multiple home ent versions, with various scenes being partially re-shot, added or removed for continuity.

One of the versions, titled Kidnapped, was supervised by Bava's son, Lamberto, and his colleague, Alfredo Leone. A Franco-Canadian remake with Lambert Wilson and Virginie Ledoyen was released in 2015. The U.S. scribes have been working out the original film's sexist tones to reimagine the film as a present-day thriller and the first in a trilogy. Franco will produce; Franco and Kilgore will write; and Kilgore will also serve as executive producer.

More details to come soon.