It’s been a few years since we’ve heard anything about the supposed Toxic Avenger remake, which many fans expressed doubts about back when it was first announced in 2010. At the time, it was being described as a “family friendly PG-13 action comedy akin to The Mask” featuring “a green superhero for these environmentally conscious times.” Soon afterward, Hot Tub Time Machine director Steve Pink boarded the project and eventually some pretty weird casting choices were being talked about (including Arnold Schwarzenegger and John Travolta). While none of those deals happened, a few years later it appears that they now have a new director in mind and it could indicate a change in direction for the reboot. Hit the jump for the latest update.

According to Deadline, Sausage Party co-director Conrad Vernon has signed on to direct The Toxic Avenger remake, which is being produced by Richard Saperstein (Hancock, The Mist), Akiva Goldsman (I Am Legend, The Dark Tower) and Charlie Corwin (The Squid and the Whale). Mike Arnold and Chris Poole (Archer) will write a new draft of the script by Steve Pink and D.C. Mitchell. What remains to be seen is if they are still trying for a PG-13 family-friendly version of the Troma cult classic.

Based on the success of the R-rated Sausage Party, one might assume that they are hoping to get back to the original film’s exploitation roots. On the other hand, Vernon’s previous directorial credits also include Shrek 2, Madagascar 3 and Monsters vs. Aliens, so perhaps not. They do acknowledge that it will be a “more grounded and mainstream telling of the story”, although Richard Saperstein praises Vernon for being “a subversive comedic genius.” Go figure. Do you think a remake of The Toxic Avenger could actually be worthwhile?