Is it just me, or is there an unusually high number of movie remakes in the offing? Or does it just feel like that? In the same way that it feels like Alfred Molina is in every other movie this year (or maybe he really is…)? In a fine post today, Rope of Silicon suggests that this is not just a phase that we’re going through but something that has been going on for years. And some remakes are so well done and so familiar one could hardly recall the original – or, at least, the originals were made so long ago that a remake has a completely different feel to it. And then there are the others…
Clash of the Titans is a reminder that remaking a well-loved movie from our youth is a risky business. It’s especially risky when it’s decided to delay the release by a week in order to slap on some 3D effects with some double-sided sticky tape. This has not done the film’s critical reception many favours. I’ll make my mind up for myself when I see it – in 2D – later this weekend but I’m expecting little except a possibly slightly scary Kraken. I’ll be enjoying the original afterwards. I loved Pegasus – still do.
There are some other remakes in the works which have the unfortunate side effect of making one nostalgic for the original – Overboard, for example. With Jennifer Lopez falling off the boat instead of Goldie Hawn. Another is Private Benjamin – with Anna Faris enlisted instead of Goldie Hawn. Maybe it’s just a trend to remake Goldie Hawn movies? Which is a shame, because Goldie’s versions are rather fine.
Rumours also continue about a remake of My Fair Lady, with Carey Mulligan suggested as the successor of Audrey Hepburn, although Carey isn’t so sure about this or any othe film she’s being connected to.
Talking of remakes with a Carey Mulligan connection, it’s now been confirmed by the Playlist that David Fincher is indeed set to direct a new version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as discussed here some days ago. Filming may begin this Autumn. Carey Mulligan may not be cast after all because, rather ironically, this popular newcomer is now not new enough for Fincher.
I do want to post a trailer for something that I am very excited to see though – and that’s a trailer for a film whose title I can never remember…. not for the life of me. Looks great though!
