Source: Plan 9 Movie | Screen Rant | The Mary Sue | Posted By: Dan Geer

This is the first time I have heard about this, but apparently there have been plans to remake Ed Wood‘s infamous Plan 9 from Outer Space (known for being “the worst film ever made”) for quite some time now.

Darkstone Entertainment, primarily known for making extremely low-budget independent horror films, announced some time in 2008 that director John Johnson would be remaking the film, simply titled Plan 9. It was originally slated for release on 9/9/2009 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the original film, but that never happened. Now, it looks like production has in fact finally started on the film, according to The Mary Sue. You can even watch a teaser trailer for the “serious-minded” remake after the jump!

From the Official Plan 9 Movie Facebook Page:

We are all interested in the future for that is where you and I will spend the rest of our lives!

In 1959, a film was released that would live in the minds and hearts of science fiction and horror fans for years to come. That film was Edward D. Wood, Jr.’s magnum opus, “Plan 9 From Outer Space”, a story about aliens re-animating the dead in order to kill Earth’s population. Though widely regarded as one of the worst films ever made, genre audiences could not resist the exuberance and love for the art of filmmaking that showed in Wood’s work, and the movie has become a cherished cult classic that still survives on home video and in midnight screenings across the world.

Now, in time to coincide with the 50th anniversary of “Plan 9 From Outer Space”, director John Johnson – along with his production company, Darkstone Entertainment – is poised to remake the classic film. Simple titled “Plan 9”, the remake will be a serious-minded retelling of the original story, paying homage to the spirit of Wood’s film without resorting to camp or parody. The film will focus on the horror and science fiction aspects of the original, but will also be largely character-driven. Johnson’s goal for “Plan 9” is to make a film that honors not only the original source material, but also Ed Wood’s intentions when he made “Plan 9 From Outer Space”. Wood’s plan was to make a very scary sci-fi/horror film, and Johnson wishes to do exactly that – create a film that Wood would have enjoyed, or perhaps even made himself, if not bound by the technological limitations placed on filmmakers 50 years ago.

“Plan 9” is being made with the blessing and participation of Conrad Brooks, the sole surviving member of the original film’s cast and crew. To go as a sister project to the remake, director Johnson and actor Brooks plan to do a commentary for the original film with a Q + A retrospective for its 2 disc DVD release with no set street date at the moment.

“Even if Eddie was a little off in his filmmaking skills, you cannot deny his passion. I feel a strong camaraderie for the man and his work, and hope that I can make a film that would be as loved by audiences today as the original was for his generation. Only this time with its true intention.” – John Johnson

Plan 9 Teaser Trailer from Darkstone Entertainment on Vimeo.

Trailer for the original Plan 9 from Outer Space:

Of course, the obvious humor in all of this is that Darkstone Entertainment is creating a low-budget Plan 9 remake, much like how the original film was produced. So the chances of it being taken any more seriously that its predecessor are pretty slim.

Nevertheless, most any remake would probably be better than the original in terms of production quality, so at least it has that going for it. And besides, it actually does look kind of good. Now if they could just get Bela Lugosi Jr. to play the “Ghoul Man” like his father did in the original…

The plan is for the movie to go straight to DVD, although a release date has not yet been selected. Stay tuned as more details emerge!

Thanks Jonathan Coller for the heads up!