"Sausage Party" co-helmer to direct "Toxic Avenger" comedy horror remake

PanARMENIAN.Net - "The Toxic Avenger" remake that has been in long development may have found its director in Conrad Vernon of "Sausage Party". The re-imagining of Troma's cult classic is moving forward with the 48-year-old helmer on board to direct from a screenplay provided by "Archer" and "The Grackle" co-scribes Mike Arnold and Chris Poole, who rewrite the script by Steve Pink and Daniel C. Mitchell.

"The Toxic Avenger" remake is based on 1984 comedy horror film released by Troma Entertainment. The original film was set in Tromaville, New Jersey which was terrorized by criminals. Among the residents of Tromaville was Melvin, a nerdy emaciated janitor at the local health club.

A gang of thugs devised a cruel hoax that went horribly wrong as Melvin was cast through a third story window into a vat of hazardous toxic waste. However, an unexpected metamorphosis took place. As the chemicals took hold of his body, Melvin turned into the Toxic Avenger, doer of good, and brutal mauler of evil.

The film will be produced by Richard Saperstein's Storyscape Entertainment, Akiva Goldsman's Weed Road and Charlie Corwin. Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz of Troma Films, creators of the original franchise, will executive produce along with Bob Cooper and Alex Schwartz of Storyscape Entertainment, and Greg Lessans of Weed Road.

"Conrad Vernon is a subversive comedic genius. He is the perfect director to bring this iconoclastic franchise back to life," Saperstein tells Deadline of tapping Vernon as director for the project. As for Vernon, the opportunity to re-imagine the favorite cult-classic from his high school years is "an honor." The helmer adds, "Toxie is an underground icon. My favorite kind."

Vernon has been known in the film industry as a helmer as well as a voice actor. His directing credits included "Shrek 2", "Monsters vs. Aliens" and "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted". Meanwhile, he lent his voice to Gingerbread Man in the "Shrek" animated film franchise and Mason in "Madagascar".