“Urban Legend” to Haunt Theaters Again with New Reboot

by Annika April 24, 2025

In a world where reboots and remakes have become the norm in the entertainment industry, it seems like no franchise is safe from a modern makeover. The latest addition to this trend is the 1990s slasher movie Urban Legend, which is set to get a reboot courtesy of Screen Gems. The studio has hired Shanrah Wakefield to pen the script, while Gary Dauberman and Neal Moritz are on board to produce.

“Urban Legend” to Haunt Theaters Again with New Reboot

According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, the new Urban Legend will be set in the present day, with a fresh take on the classic story. The 1998 feature, directed by Jamie Blanks and written by Sylvio Horta, followed a killer whose murders were based on popular urban legends of the time. From death by Pop Rocks and soft drinks to being chased by a gang for forgetting to turn on their headlights, the film tapped into the fears of a generation and became a sleeper hit.

With the horror genre at an all-time high, it’s no surprise that Screen Gems is reviving this iconic franchise. The original Urban Legend was made on a modest budget of $14 million and went on to gross over $73 million worldwide. It also launched a sequel, Urban Legends: Final Cut, and a prequel, Urban Legends: Bloody Mary, but none of them were able to capture the same success as the first film. However, with Dauberman’s recent success with horror hits like IT and The Nun, and Moritz’s experience with producing blockbuster franchises like the Fast and Furious series, this reboot is in good hands.

Fans of the original Urban Legend are already speculating about what new urban legends the film might explore. In the age of social media, there are countless new myths and rumors that could make for terrifying on-screen kills. Some are even hoping for a cameo from the original film’s stars, like Jared Leto and Alicia Witt. While there is no confirmation on any casting decisions, it’s safe to say that the filmmakers have a lot of expectations to live up to.

As with any reboot, there will be mixed reactions from both fans and critics. Some may argue that the original Urban Legend is a classic that shouldn’t be touched, while others may welcome a fresh take on the story. However, it’s important to remember that reboots can introduce a whole new audience to a franchise, and with the advancements in technology and storytelling, this new version of Urban Legend has the potential to be even more terrifying than the original.