Variety is reporting that Sarah Michelle Gellar, formerly TV's top vampire slayer, will take the lead role in the English language remake of the Japanese horror film Ju-On.  Unlike the American remake of the Japanese horror film The Ring, the reworking of Ju-On (retitled 'The Grudge' for English speaking audiences) will be filmed in Tokyo with Takashi Shimizu, the writer/director of the Japanese film, helming the English language remake as well.  Producer Taka Ichise, who also produced The Ring, will produce along with American horror maven Sam Raimi.  Stephen Susco will write the script for the new film, which will, according to Variety, 'combine elements from the original Ju-On and its three sequels.'

The success of the American version of The Ring (Ringu in Japanese) led to the publication of the original novel by Dark Horse.