Dimension Remaking Cronenberg's Scanners

[Brian Damage]

Dimension Films has closed a deal to remake David Cronenberg's 1981 horror pic Scanners, reports Variety. The film will be directed by Darren Lynn Bousman ("Saw" II & III) and David Goyer (Batman Begins, "Blade" series) will write the script.

The story revolves around a scientist who infiltrates an underground movement of "scanners," whose telepathic abilities make them lethal weapons. The original was best remembered for an exploding head finale.

Dimension co-chairman Bob Weinstein has earmarked an early 2008 production start; the aim is to release the film later that year.

Producing the film will be Rene Malo, Pierre David, Clark Peterson, Jessika Borsiczky Goyer, Mark Burg and Oren Koules. The latter two produce and finance the "Saw" series through their Twisted Pictures.

Bousman starts production on Saw IV on April 15 and then will move directly into the rock opera Repo for Twisted Pictures and Lionsgate. Goyer will have the Scanners script ready when he finishes.