Margaret Qualley And Callum Turner Join Possession Remake

In a move that has horror fans buzzing, Paramount Pictures is forging ahead with a remake of the cult classic Possession, with acclaimed director Parker Finn at the helm and rising stars Margaret Qualley and Callum Turner reportedly set to take on the film’s infamous central couple. The project, which has been the subject of intense speculation and industry excitement since a heated studio bidding war in July 2024, signals a bold new chapter for a story that has haunted audiences since its 1981 debut.

According to Far Out Magazine, the remake will see Qualley and Turner step into roles made iconic by Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill. The original film, a psychological horror directed by Polish auteur Andrzej Żuławski, unspooled the harrowing breakdown of a marriage between an international spy and his wife, whose confessions of infidelity spiral into increasingly bizarre and disturbing behavior. The film’s blend of supernatural terror and raw emotional intensity won Adjani the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival and cemented Possession as a touchstone in horror cinema. Even decades later, it’s routinely cited as one of the genre’s greatest and most unsettling achievements, as noted by Dread Central.

The remake’s journey to the screen has been anything but ordinary. In July 2024, a fierce bidding war erupted between major studios—A24, Netflix, Warner Bros, Sony, and Paramount—all vying for the rights to revive the property. Paramount ultimately emerged victorious, leveraging its recent horror successes to secure the project. As Dread Central reported, Parker Finn, who wrote the script, is also producing under his Bad Feeling banner, joined by Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment and, intriguingly, actor Robert Pattinson. While Pattinson was rumored to be considered for a starring role, sources clarified that he’ll serve as a producer but is not expected to appear onscreen.

Margaret Qualley’s attachment to the film marks another high point in a career that has seen her become a formidable presence in contemporary horror. Her performance in Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance—an Academy Award–winning body horror film co-starring Demi Moore—earned her widespread acclaim. Qualley’s recent credits also include roles in Ethan Coen’s Drive Away Dolls, Honey Don’t!, and Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon, with several more projects on the horizon. Notably, she stars in How to Make a Killing (set for release in February 2026) and The Dog Stars alongside Jacob Elordi, demonstrating her growing range and box office appeal.

Callum Turner, her rumored co-star, has likewise been making waves in both film and television. Turner recently starred in the romantic drama Eternity with Elizabeth Olsen and Miles Teller, a film praised as one of the best romantic comedies in years. He’s set to appear in the dramatic thriller Rosebush Pruning, which explores the complexities of a family grappling with genetic illness. Turner’s trajectory continues to rise, with roles in the Apple TV adaptation of Neuromancer and One Night Only already lined up. Industry insiders, as cited by Far Out Magazine, have even pegged him as a leading contender to become the next James Bond, placing him ahead of rivals such as Henry Cavill, Theo James, and Harris Dickinson.

While reports from Nexus Point News and Dread Central indicate that Qualley and Turner are in talks for the lead roles, their casting has yet to be officially confirmed as of February 1, 2026. Nonetheless, the prospect of these two actors bringing fresh energy to Żuławski’s feverish vision has sparked considerable anticipation. One film commentator observed, “Qualley and Pattinson together would make for inspired choices,” reflecting the excitement surrounding the project’s creative team, though Pattinson’s involvement remains behind the scenes.

Parker Finn’s involvement as director and writer is another major draw. Finn has quickly become a force in modern horror thanks to his work on the Smile franchise. The original Smile and its sequel, Smile 2, both produced by Paramount, were critical and commercial hits. Far Out Magazine praised Smile 2 as “a worthy successor to the first film,” adding, “Finn easily evades any accusations of it being a cynical, thrown-together money-making exercise. Having said that, the movie does set things up very nicely for a potential Smile 3, which could exploit its central concept in new and intriguing ways.” This track record has given Finn considerable clout and creative freedom in tackling the notoriously challenging material of Possession.

The original film’s plot remains as potent and provocative as ever. The story revolves around Anna, who asks her husband for a divorce, only for suspicions of infidelity to give way to something far more sinister. As Anna’s behavior grows increasingly erratic and otherworldly, the film veers into territory that is both psychological and supernatural, blurring the lines between reality and madness. The film’s reputation for intensity and its unflinching look at the dissolution of a relationship have made it a cult favorite, with its infamous subway scene still discussed and dissected by horror aficionados around the world.

For Paramount, the remake is a high-stakes gamble but one with enormous upside. The studio’s recent success with horror properties, particularly the Smile series, positions it well to reintroduce Possession to a new generation. The involvement of producers like Roy Lee, who previously produced hits like Barbarian and the It films for Warner Bros., adds further credibility to the project’s ambitions.

Though some fans have expressed skepticism about remaking a film as singular and intense as Possession, the combined talents of Finn, Qualley, and Turner—and the backing of a major studio—suggest that this new version aims to honor the original’s legacy while bringing its themes into sharper contemporary focus. As one observer put it, “The premise sounds intriguing, but I’ll need to learn more before saying I’m on board. I enjoyed Margaret Qualley a great deal in The Substance… Maybe I’ll give this one a shot after seeing a trailer.”

With the film industry’s eyes fixed on every casting update and production announcement, it’s clear that this Possession remake is shaping up to be one of the most watched horror projects of the coming year. Whether it can recapture the original’s unsettling magic—or perhaps conjure something entirely new—remains to be seen. But for now, anticipation is running high, and horror fans everywhere are eager for their next glimpse into the abyss.