Vadim Perelman to direct Poltergeist

MGM has signed Vadim Perelman (House Of Sand And Fog) to direct Poltergeist.

Cale Boyter, Executive Vice President, Production and Luke Ryan, Vice President, Production, are overseeing the project for MGM.

Last night, Boyter said: "We are excited to have Vadim direct Poltergeist, a title which already has a built-in movie-going audience.

"With his established track record, we look forward to having him lead the creative direction on this new character-based horror project that will utilise the original film as a jumping off point."

Juliet Snowden and Stiles White are writing the new script for the studio.

Currently directing and executive producing Ice, a drama pilot for the AMC cable network, Perelman wrote and directed House of Sand and Fog starring Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley, which earned 3 Oscar® nominations in 2004.

Recently, Perelman directed The Life Before Her Eyes starring Uma Thurman and Evan Rachel Wood. Prior to his film and television work, Perelman established himself as one of the most sought-after directors of commercials and music videos, responsible for a number of memorable spots for multinational clients.

The original film was released by MGM in 1982 and earned three Oscar® nominations.