‘Firestarter’ Reboot Starring Zac Efron Officially Begins Filming

The new adaptation of Stephen King’s classic novel, “Firestarter” has officially begun filming today in Toronto, Canada. Starring Zac Efron and Michael Greyeyes, the film is also a reboot of 1984 film of the same name. Additional cast for the film is yet to be announced.

The film centers on a young girl who develops pyrokinetic powers and the ability to see the future. After being experimented on by a secret government entity called The Shop, Andy McGee (Efron) develops psychic powers, he can control others to do and believe what he wants and meets the love of his life. Together they have a daughter Charlene "Charlie" McGee, with a power of her own and The Shop will stop at nothing to get them back.

Keith Thomas (“The Vigil”) will direct the film from a script by writer Scott Teems (“Halloween Kills”). Jason Blum and Akiva Goldsman, who previously teamed on the “Paranormal Activity” franchise, will produce. Martha De Laurentiis is also producing with Scott Teems as executive producer. Michael Greyeyes will be playing John Rainbird.

Walking into the first day of production like.... #firestarter @jason_blum @ZacEfron @AkivaGoldsman @StephenKing @MichaelGreyeyes pic.twitter.com/bOtUWd4k56

— Blumhouse (@blumhouse) May 25, 2021

Stephen King has already sent his wishes to the cast and crew of the movie last month, "I’m sending cast and crew a hunka hunka burning love."

The film is backed by Universal Pictures, Blumhouse Productions, Angry Adam Productions, BoulderLight Pictures, and Weed Road Productions.

Firestarter (1984) was a sci-fi horror film based on Stephen King's 1980 novel of the same name. The plot concerns a young girl who develops pyrokinesis and the secret government agency known as the Shop which seeks to control her. The film was directed by Mark L. Lester and stars David Keith, Drew Barrymore, Martin Sheen, and George C. Scott. With a budget of $12 million, Firestarter made $17.1 million on box-office in 1984.

A miniseries follow-up to the film, Firestarter: Rekindled, was also released in 2002 on the Sci-Fi Channel.

Firestarter is a science fiction-horror thriller novel by Stephen King, first published in September 1980. In July and August 1980, two excerpts from the novel were published in Omni. In 1981, Firestarter was nominated as Best Novel for the British Fantasy Award, Locus Poll Award, and Balrog Award.