Among the many reboots and revivals heading to screens in the next few years, The Toxic Avenger is probably one of the more exciting ones considering the potential the film has with some improved special effects, and an updated story. Of course, the Troma movies of the 70s and 80s were all about shock value, and value shocks, with their super-low budgets and over-the-top gore, and it could be argued that this was what made them the cult success they were. However, writer/director Macon Blair has been explaining exactly what he wants to achieve with the revival.

The reboot has managed to pull in a lot of star power, including Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage, Elijah Wood, Julia Davis, Kevin Bacon and Jacob Tremblay, which is just another sign of how different this reboot is going to be in comparison to the original Troma releases that really didn't prize itself on quality actors. The 1984 movie will be reimagined in a modern setting, but according to the director, it will keep the same "vibe" of the old Troma movies while updating it for new audiences.

"I was approached to pitch my take. At first, I was hesitant, but then I kept thinking about it and ended up suggesting a version of the character and the world to Legendary," Blair told Bloody Flicks. "They wanted to hear more and we kind of developed it from there. The guiding principle was that the story could exist on its own terms but in spirit would feel connected to the original."

The director continued, "I saw Toxie as an impressionable kid and it had quite an impact on me—the absurdity and gleeful bad taste of it. So, in one sense it's an exciting privilege to get to take a swing at a new version but it's also kind of daunting because there are different goals we're trying to hit simultaneously. Troma fans are passionate and dedicated and it's impossible to make a movie they feel like honors the original. I don't presume we're going to be able to please every single person, but the intention and the hope is that fans will feel like we've preserved some of that Kaufman vibe. But at the same time, we want to make a movie that will connect with contemporary audiences who may not have heard of Troma or Toxie, who are coming into it without that context, so it can't all be winks and nods and rehash of the original."

The Toxic Avenger Was One of Troma’s Biggest Hits, Which Could Hurt the New Movie

The Toxic Avenger is probably Troma's best-known movie, along with the likes of The Class of Nuke' Em High, and while that could work in the reboot's favor, the cult fan base the film has could also suffer because of it if the result doesn't please Toxie's dedicated followers. Like most reboots, there is no real way for the movie to please both sides, and it would be a mistake for them to try as that usually leads to the parts that could have pleased one side being compromised for the other.

The original Toxic Avenger movie focussed on mild-mannered janitor Melvin Ford, who finds himself transformed into a mutated monster after being dumped in a vat of toxic waste by a group of bullies. Gaining superhuman strength and size from the accident, he returns to take vengeance on the bullies and on corporate corruption. While much of this is likely to remain in place, it will be interesting to see what Blair can add to the film, which could, in turn, lead to another franchise and the rebirth of some other Troma classics.