We first heard about a potential remake/re-adaptation of The Keep a few years ago, but with no updates since, it was assumed the project had simply fallen by the wayside.
However, author of the original 1981 novel, F. Paul Wilson, has now announced that a new film based on his terrifying tale is moving forward after all.
“2 days ago, after a year and a half of lawyering between the “purchaser” and my side at ICM, I signed an option/purchase agreement with Greg Nicotero for the remake of The Keep. Greg is a longtime fan of the book and he’s got the chops to do a worthy adaptation,” Wilson Tweeted.
The Keep tells the story of a group of Nazis who unwittingly unleash an evil entity known as Radu Molasar when they take over an ancient stronghold in Romania in 1941. Molasar then tricks an ailing Jewish historian named Theodore Cuza into helping him escape the confines of his prison, but a mysterious stranger with great powers of his own is awakened and sets out to confront his demonic nemesis.
The novel was previously adapted my Michael Mann in 1983, and while the movie is still well worth a look - even just for its atmosphere and acclaimed Tangerine Dream score - it was torn to shreds by the studio in the edit to the point that the entire final act is a barely comprehensible hodgepodge of scenes.