Rosemarie DeWitt In 'Poltergeist': Actress To Portray Freeling Family Matriarch In Horror Classic Remake

The forthcoming "Poltergeist" remake has found its female lead in Rosemarie DeWitt, who will portray the matriarch of the spooked-out Freeling family, according to Deadline.com.

The reboot of the popular 1982 horror film is due in 2014. DeWitt's casting marks the first role filled, so there's no still no word on who will portray her husband and three children, specifically little Carol Anne, whose communication with the world beyond conjures up the eponymous spirits.

DeWitt is taking over the role originally portrayed by JoBeth Williams, who was part of a cast that is famously rumored to have been haunted themselves. A 2002 episode of "E! True Hollywood Story" detailed premature deaths that occurred among the actors following the filming, including that of 12-year-old Heather O'Rourke, who portrayed Carol Anne.

The new "Poltergeist," which has been in the works since 2008, was written by Pulitzer-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire ("Rabbit Hole," "Oz the Great and Powerful"). Gil Kenan ("Monster House," "City of Ember") will direct, with production set to begin this fall.

[via Deadline.com]