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The BBC Bringing New Version of ‘The Birds’ to the Small Screen
Released in 1963, Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds was based on the same-named story by Daphne du Maurier, published in 1952. The film spawned a mostly-unseen sequel in 1994, and after years of remake talks, the avian terror tale is now headed to the small screen courtesy of the BBC.
Digital Spy reports today that the BBC is remaking The Birds as a contemporary TV drama, though the site also notes that it’s actually going to be a new adaptation of the source material rather than a direct remake of Hitchcock’s classic.
“The BBC take will be set in rural Cornwall, where a farmhand and his community is being terrorized by flocks of birds and seagulls shortly after the end of the Second World War.”
Heyday Television is producing, with Conor McPherson writing.
All of us here at Bloody Disgusting are deeply sad to learn that The Blob director Chuck Russell has passed away at 74 years old.
Russell’s career began with his directorial debut, 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.
The multihyphenate film director, screenwriter, and producer is best known for helming 1994 comedy The Mask starring Jim Carrey, Arnold Schwarzenegger actioner Eraser, and adventure spinoff The Scorpion King. The latter served as the first leading role for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The filmmaker left an indelible mark on horror with his ANOES sequel, 1988’s The Blob, and 2000’s Bless the Child.
Russell’s final film credit is 2024’s Witchboard remake starring Madison Iseman (I Know What You Did Last Summer), Aaron Dominguez (Only Murders in the Building), and Jamie Campbell Bower (“Stranger Things”).
It marked Russell’s return to horror after a lengthy hiatus, and he shared sequel hopes to Bloody Disgusting in an interview ahead of the remake’s release: “I got to design the board with real mystical symbols and things that I know represent good and evil, and where that board takes us if the audiences respond to the film, and I hope they will; I know it’s out there for you guys, but the sequel is a world we’ll get to go a little further. That’s sure the intention.”
He also recently expressed interest in returning to the franchise that began his career.
TMZ notes that Russell passed away at his San Diego-area home.
We send our deepest condolences to Chuck Russell’s family, friends, and fans.
Director, Co-Writer & Producer Chuck Russell behind the scenes of the horror film, WITCHBOARD. Photo courtesy of The Avenue and Atlas Distribution
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