These days, it seems to be a requisite for any successful foreign film entering the US to give up the rights to remake it at the same time the director is getting their passport stamped at immigration. The latest to enter the sights of the remake brigade is Andre Ovredal’s Troll Hunter, which has just been bought by Chris Columbus 1492 Pictures.

Sensing a chance for a crossover hit – and the opportunity to relaunch the film for American audiences allergic to reading subtitles – Columbus and CJ Entertainment & Media have grabbed the rights to the film, which, not-so-coincidentally, opened this weekend across the pond.

Shot in documentary style, the Norwegian thriller follows a group of students investigating a rash of mysterious bear killings. What they dig up turns out to be something altogether more sinister and supernatural, which given the title, you can probably work out. They also meet the titular hero, a man who has dedicated his life to tracking down the creatures.

"Troll Hunter was a visceral, thrilling, cinematic rock and roller coaster ride of a movie. Visually, there are scenes in this film that American audiences have never seen. We want to introduce an international audience to this amazing moviegoing experience," said Columbus in a statement picked up by Deadline. He’s hired writer Marc Haimes to pen the first draft of the US version.

Those over here wishing to see what all the fuss is about will get their chance when the original opens in the UK on September 9.