Actor-turned-filmmaker Macon Blair is taking the reins to write and direct a reboot of the cult classic film Toxic Avenger. Legendary Entertainment acquired the rights to the film and though no casting details nor a release date have been announced yet, the studio has made it a high priority to get started on. Legendary’s Alex Garcia and Jay Ashenfelter will oversee the project while the directors and producers of the original film, Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz of Troma Entertainment, will produce.

The project has been up in the air for nearly a decade, with only rumors circling and nothing materializing. Back in 2010, when a reboot was first announced, Hot Tub Time Machine director Steve Pink was the first to be attached to the film, followed by Sausage Party co-helmer Conrad Vernon in 2016. The project continued to fall through until Legendary acquired the rights back in December.

Variety broke the news about Blair’s latest venture, which follows the story of a mutant by the name of Toxie who is Tromaville’s greatest protector. He wasn’t always this way, though. Prior to his transformation, he was a quiet, 90-pound janitor named Melvin who falls into a tub of toxic waste. The chemicals cause him to turn into the monstrous looking creature with superhuman abilities. He uses these newfound powers to fight off bad guys and keep his New Jersey town safe. The film spawned three sequels: The Toxic Avenger Part II, The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie, and Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV. Not only that, but an animated series, comic book, and musical were created around the cult classic hero.

Though he may seem like an out-of-left-field choice, Blair has an outstanding filmography that proves he’s capable of covering an array of genres. He spent many years as an actor working on films ranging from Blue Ruin to The Florida Project, but recently expanded his talents to behind the camera. Toxic Avenger will be his second feature-length film, two years after the release of his critically acclaimed directorial debut I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore.

The reboot is the ideal opportunity to take this cult classic B-movie and update it for the 21st century. Not only that, but Blair has a knack for creating lovably strange characters, which seems like a perfect fit for bringing Toxie back to the big screen.

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Source: Variety