'Ring' master returns
Nakata would make American helming debut with pic's sequel
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The Japanese director behind the original "Ringu," upon which the 2002 horror pic "The Ring," was based, is in negotiations to helm "The Ring 2" for DreamWorks.
Nakata will replace director Noam Murro, who dropped from the project earlier this week.
"The Ring 2" will mark Nakata's American directorial debut now that he is no longer directing "True Believers" at MGM.
In addition to "Ringu," Nakata also directed that film's sequel, released in Japan in 1999, a year after the first pic.
Although the first American "Ring" was a remake of the Japanese film, the "Ring 2" script, written by Ehren Kruger, will depart from "Ringu 2."
Naomi Watts, who headlined the first "Ring," is said to be aboard "The Ring 2." The studio is currently out to male leads.
Pic will be produced by DreamWorks' Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald.
Benderspink's J.C. Spink and Chris Bender will serve as co-executive producers, while Roy Lee will serve as executive producer. First pic's Neal Edelstein and Mike Macari are also on board as exec producers.
Nakata is one of a handful of Japanese directors whose work is finding a second home in Hollywood. The Japanese film "Dark Water," which he directed, is currently being remade and will be distributed by Disney, and a remake of "Chaos" is being developed at Universal.
Nakata will also direct a remake of the horror pic "Don't Look Up" for Distant Horizon.
Helmer recently left William Morris and is now represented by UTA.
