Hey everybody.  Sorry I’ve been M.I.A. with new posts.  Thanks to everyone who has emailed to ask about my whereabouts.  The truth is, I’ve been a little buried with work but I thought I’d take a quick break and fill everybody in on some new developments.

First -- I used the picture above because A) I ran out of old House on Sorority Row poster shots, and B) because I just saw the new “banned” Zack and Miri Make a Porno poster and it’s the exact same joke.  I don’t think many people who saw the original poster above actually saw the blonde woman’s head at the bottom, but if you’ve seen the Zack and Miri posters, it’s the same gag (link to their poster here).  Very excited about that movie, by the way.  Love Kevin Smith and I think Elizabeth Banks is AMAZING.  One of the best comedic actresses around. 

Second -- since it’s been posted on IMDb, I think it’s safe to let slip that House on Sorority Row has a director.  His name is Stewart Hendler and I couldn’t be happier.  He’s a great guy, has a strong handle on the material and I think he’s going to do a fantastic job.  We’ve been working with him for a few weeks now honing the script.  I have high hopes for the project.

Third -- The bad news is, after Prom Night’s big theatrical opening, we’ve spent the past month rewriting our script for House on Sorority Row into a PG-13 movie.  No blood.  No nudity.  No violence.  No profanity.  No drinking (at the college parties).  No... “guts”. 

Fourth -- The good news is that three days ago, Summit changed their minds and we are full-steam ahead on the R-rated version.  I can’t tell you what a relief this is from a creative sense.  Everything is going back in.  As I’ve mentioned before, we’re not out to make torture porn and this still isn’t going to be an explicit exploitation picture -- but it’s nice to be able to write a horror movie the way it should be.   

Fifth -- a few more points of interest in regards to House on Sorority Row.  The film starts shooting the first week of October.  We’ll be on location in Pittsburgh for the entire shoot.  We’ve cast two of the leads and have offers out to a couple more (I’m not at liberty to say who until they are officially announced) but it’s shaping into a pretty cool, eclectic cast.  Very, very excited about one in particular -- a legendary figure in my life.  The crew is shaping up as well.  One of the best costume designers around.  It’s going to be a great team!!!

Last -- For those keeping tabs on my other work...  Piranha has been pushed to March.  It’s still being directed by Alex Aja and will still be in 3-D.  Man-Witch is on a temporary hold since Jack Black dropped out.  Todd Phillips is directing another film right now but will pick up on Man-Witch as soon as that wraps.  I’m still hopeful it’ll be made in 2009.  Bobby and I have started work on the book adaptation for The Candy Shop Wars -- our take is a little different from the original book -- we’re aging it up and making it a slightly “darker” in tone.  But I think it’s going to be a fun project to write.  And we just turned in our last draft of The Spellman Files which I couldn’t be happier with.  My experiences working with Laura Ziskin and her collaborators has been one of my favorite writing experiences since coming to Hollywood.  The finished script is going out to talent in the next few weeks and I’ve heard rumblings that the studio wants to make it in early 2009 (then again, I heard that Piranha was fast-tracked in 2004). 

Well, I’ve got to get back to work (adding back in the blood to Sorority Row). 

Thanks again for the emails and talk soon.

Josh