America Gets Revamped Version Of "American Haunting"

According to SciFi Wire, the U.S. version of the upcoming supernatural thriller "An American Haunting" will be very different than the version released last month in Great Britain.

Director Courtney Solomon ("Dungeons & Dragons") said "Lionsgate had the dates set for an international release, so they have a different version. The version that will be coming out here is literally wet. I've just finished it."

Apparently, the U.S. version is less of a traditional "scare" film and also offers a different explanation for the story of the Bell Witch, a real-life legend from 1818 Tennessee.

Solomon - who also wrote and produced the film based on the book by Brent Monahan - shopped the original version around at film festivals, listened to what audiences had to say and revamped the movie's music, color design and story as a result.

The new version of the film takes the narration away from a skeptical professor - played by James D'Arcy ("Exorcist: The Beginning") - and gives it to the family matriarch - played by Sissy Spacek ("North Country").

Despite his part being substantially cut in the new version of the film, D'Arcy said that he prefers the new (U.S.) version because it delves more into the haunting itself instead of trying to be another horror film.

"An American Haunting" premieres domestically May 5th. As the biggest budgeted version of the Bell Witch story told to date and a heavy-hitting cast (which includes Donald Sutherland), I might just be convinced to check this out. -- Shannon Nolley

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