Zac Efron is ready to heat things up in Blumhouse’s remake of Firestarter. Collider reported yesterday, on the 40th anniversary of Stephen King’s novel, that Efron would star in the film, although he won’t be taking on the lead pyrokinetic role made famous by Drew Barrymore in the 1984 movie adaptation.
Firestarter centers on a girl named Charlie who develops pyrokinetic abilities, and is captured by the government who want to use her fire powers as a weapon. Efron will be taking on the role of Andy McGhee, the girl’s father who participated in a secret drug experiment with his wife, leading to Charlie’s strange gifts.
It’s weird to see Efron landing all of these dad roles lately, like the Three Men and a Baby remake he signed on to. I keep forgetting that he’s in his 30s now which makes me…well, very old.
Firestarter will be directed by Keith Thomas (The Vigil) from a script by Scott Teems (Halloween Kills). It has been in the works for a couple of years, and had German filmmaker Fatih Akin on board to direct in the beginning.
We should be hearing of an actress to play Charlie very soon, I’m guessing.