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Amid the success of the superhero drama Smallville, Clark Kent actor Tom Welling took the time to star in a remake of a John Carpenter horror classic. Since its theatrical release in 2005, the film has largely been forgotten, but it can be revisited now for free by streaming it on Tubi.
Welling's The Fog is currently available on Tubi, the free streaming platform. It is a remake of the 1980 film of the same name directed by Carpenter, the horror maestro known for other genre classics like Halloween and They Live. Carpenter even returned to serve as a producer alongside Debra Hill, with whom he co-wrote the original movie. Though it was not well-received by critics, the remake wound up making over $46 million at the box office against a budget of $18 million.
The Fog Reimagines the Classic Horror Story from 1980
Rupert Wainwright helmed the remake, which was written by Cooper Layne. Taking inspiration from the original, The Fog similarly tells the story of a mysterious fog that rolls into a small town, bringing along with it the ghosts of people who were murdered more than a hundred years prior. When a young woman (Maggie Grace) starts having visions connected to the town's hidden past, she and her boyfriend (Welling) uncover a conspiracy involving its founders as their descendents are being hunted by vengeful spirits.
Along with Welling and Grace, Wainwright's The Fog also stars Selma Blair (Cruel Intentions), DeRay Davis (Snowfall), Kenneth Welsh (Twin Peaks), Sara Botsford (Tremors 4: The Legend Begins), and Cole Heppell (BloodRayne II: Deliverance).
The Remake Had Less Violence and a Softer Rating
There are some major differences between the two versions of the Fog. Carpenter's classic was rated R, while the remake was considerably less violent, giving it a softer PG-13 rating. The backstory has also been changed, as the 2005 version offered a very different mythology to explain the fog. While Carpenter's version also relied on atmosphere, suspense, and practical effects for its horror vibe, the remake utilized more jump scares and CGI.
The Fog has the distinction of being one of a handful of movies directed by Carpenter to be remade. Of course, Halloween has a plethora of sequels, though Rob Zombie gave it an official remake in 2007, which had a direct sequel of its own. Carpenter's 1976 film Assault on Precinct 13 was also remade with Jean-François Richet's film of the same name, which was also released in 2005. Recently, it was revealed that a reboot of Carpenter's Escape from New York is currently in development, which will become the latest title to john the short list.
The Fog is streaming on Tubi. Meanwhile, the original version directed by Carpenter can also be found streaming for free on Pluto TV, Fandango, and Plex.
