John Lithgow To Play Jud Crandall In Pet Sematary Remake

Entertainment Weekly reports that John Lithgow has been cast as Jud Crandall in the upcoming remake of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary. In the novel and original 1989 film, Crandall is the one who introduces Louis Creed (Jason Clarke) to the Micmac burial grounds behind the titular cemetery in Ludlow, Maine.

The character was previously played by Fred Gwynne in the original. Lithgow is a decade younger than Crandal (Lithgow is 72 while Crandall is 83) but a decade older than Gwynne was (62) when he played the part.

The film will be directed by Dennis Widmyer and Kevin Kolsch (Starry Eyes) from a script by Jeff Buhler. It will be produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Mark Vahradian and Steven Schneider.