MTV Plans Remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show

MTV is readying itself to do the “Time Warp,” planning to remake the 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show with hopes to premiere the new film on Halloween 2009, Variety reports. The two-hour remake will use the original screenplay by Jim Sharman and Richard O'Brien but may add additional tunes not heard in the original. Neither a director nor cast have been announced.

The film, a madcap musical play on science fiction double features which follows two stranded lovers as they stumble upon a bizarre castle of peculiar, sexually charged characters, was adapted from O'Brien's original 1973 stage musical titled The Rocky Horror Show, which made its debut in Britain. The commercial success of the show's British and subsequent Los Angeles run prompted a Broadway transfer and on March 10, 1975, the show opened at the Belasco Theatre, starring Tim Curry as Frank 'N' Furter, Abigale Haness, Graham Jarvis, Bill Miller, Kim Milford and Meat Loaf. Critics panned the unusual production, which closed after just 45 performances.

The original Rocky Horror Picture Show, which starred Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and Meat Loaf, has grossed $140 million at the American box office since its release more than 30 years ago and was credited with popularizing the art-house phenomenon of midnight screenings.

The Rocky Horror Show was successfully revived onstage in November of 2000 at Circle in the Square, starring Tom Hewitt, Raul Esparza, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Joan Jett, Jarrod Emick and Alice Ripley. The revival earned four Tony Award nominations and played over 437 total performances before closing on January 6, 2002.

Lou Adler, who executive produced the original film, will partner with BermanBraun and Fox Television studios for the reimagining, tapping BermanBraun's Gail Berman and Llyod Braun as executive producers.