Rob Reiner is making an action movie called Book of Shadows, a subtitle borrowed from the awful sequel to The Blair Witch Project.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Castle Rock Entertainment picked up the rights to the story after Reiner came up with an “original” idea. I guess it was after he caught Blair Witch Project 2 on cable, so the world gets that title again.
The story follows a young man who must embark on the perilous journey of first love and face many trials of maturity while on the dangerous quest to close a mythical tome called “Book of Shadows” in order to restore balance to the world.
Where have I heard that fantasy adventure plot before… Oh, right, it was The Princess Bride and Reiner directed it 21 years ago.
If Reiner looks sleepy in the picture it’s because his most recent movie, The Bucket List, was cinematic Valium. I’m still a little drowsy after that one. What happened? He made some of the best movies of the 80s and 90s and then disappeared. This is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men, Misery, and The American President. Then nothing.
Unfortunately, Princess Blair Witch Bride 2 doesn’t look like a return to the form for the director. Maybe next time.