Remember that odd sci-fi movie that got every college student debating its meaning? Most people know it as the film that made “Mad World” a Christmas Number One, but Donnie Darko was a cult hit. Director Richard Kelly went on to write and direct Southland Tales, a film that has yet to see daylight after its poor reception at Cannes in 2006. Apparently, the film should hit theatres in 2008, as funding was obtained for a final cut and special effects. In the meantime, Kelly is moving on to bigger and probably better things.

A while back Kelly’s next feature was announced, a supernatural horror entitled The Box. And it’s to star Cameron Diaz of all people. Apparently, the script is an adaptation of a Twilight Zone story, and concerns a magic box that grants a wish, but in doing so a random person will die.

Considering the awful reception to Southland Tales, Kelly desperately need a hit if he’s going to enjoy artistic freedom (although, to be honest, after seeing the Director’s Cut of Donnie Darko, I’m not sure if he deserves it). But considering the positive reviews of 1408 and it exceeding box-office expectations, perhaps the world of PG-13 ghost stories is a successful one.

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