Variety has confirmed IESB.net's scoop that Dimension Films has hired French filmmaker Alexandre Aja to direct a remake of Piranha, Joe Dante's 1978 dark parody of Steven Spielberg's Jaws that was followed by a sequel from James Cameron.

Atmosphere's Mark Canton (300), IPW's Marc Toberoff and Gregory Levasseur are producing the stylized horror-comedy. Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg wrote the script, with Aja planning a rewrite.

Aja says he wants to pay homage to all the "creature films that made me fall in love with the genre."

The updated story takes place at Lake Havasu, Ariz., a favorite destination for partying spring breakers. When a tremor causes the ground to open up beneath the lake, chaos and terror break out as ravenous piranhas are released.

"We will maintain the fun and thrilling aspects of the original film but look forward to upping the ante with a modern-day twist," Dimension's Bob Weinstein said.

Aja was last in theaters with horror-thriller The Hills Have Eyes and is in pre-production with New Regency's Mirrors.

Oh boy, I can't wait to see what young nubile WB stars they're going to have play the bikini clad protagonists.

;)

Oh boy, I can't wait to see what young nubile WB stars they're going to have play the bikini clad protagonists.

;)


Now, now TJL it's the CW, the WB and Michigan J. Frog are dearly departed. ;)