Opening in theaters on August 26^th is a new horror film from the mind of director Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth) called Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, which actually is based on the 1973 ABC made-for-TV movie of the same name. The film has been a passion project of del Toro’s for years but he did not helm the movie, instead tapping comic book artist Troy Nixey to make his feature film directorial debut while he simply adapted the screenplay and produced the new remake.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark stars a talented cast of actors including Guy Pearce (Memento, L.A. Confidential), Katie Holmes (Batman Begins), Alan Dale (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull), Jack Thompson (Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil), and newcomer Bailee Madison (Just Go With It).

IAR’s managing editor Jami Philbrick had a chance to catch up with actor Guy Pearce at this year’s Comic-Con International in San Diego last month to discuss Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark. The actor spoke freely about the new film, his familiarity with the original, collaborating with both del Toro and Nixey on set, and the importance of finding the right young actress to play the lead role.

Opening in theaters on August 26th is a new horror film from the mind of director Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth) called Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, which is based on the 1973 ABC made-for-TV movie of the same name. The film has been a passion project of del Toro's for years but he did not helm the movie, instead tapping comic book artist Troy Nixey to make his feature film directorial debut while he simply adapted the screenplay and produced the new remake. Don't Be Afraid of the Dark stars a talented cast of actors including Guy Pearce (Memento), Katie Holmes (Batman Begins), Alan Dale (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull), Jack Thompson (Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), and newcomer Bailee Madison (Just Go With It).

IAR's managing editor Jami Philbrick recently had a chance to sit down with writer and producer Guillermo del Toro, as well as actresses Katie Holmes, and Bailee Madison to discuss the new film. We spoke candidly about del Toro's vision and passion for the project, Holmes' experience collaborating with del Toro, and how Madison dealt with the movie's scarier moments at such a young age.

Guy Pearce and Katie Holmes star in this Guillermo Del Toro-produced horror film coming January 21st!

Synopsis: Sally Hurst (Bailee Madison), a lonely, withdrawn child, has just arrived in Rhode Island to live with her father and his girlfriend at the 19th-century mansion they are restoring. While exploring the sprawling estate, the young girl discovers a hidden basement, undisturbed since the strange disappearance of the mansion’s builder a century ago. When Sally unwittingly lets loose a race of ancient, dark-dwelling creatures who conspire to drag her down into the mysterious house’s bottomless depths, she must convince Alex and Kim that it’s not a fantasy—before the evil lurking in the dark consumes them all.