7 Action Movie Remakes Coming Soon
November 13th 2008 16:23
ANOTHER LIST
Be warned, they are coming people. Invasion of the movie reboot. Some of these ideas we should really be sending to the recycle bin, but that's not going to stop Hollywood.
This is the first in a series of remakes heading into production...
7. Death Wish
First seen in 1974 starring Charles Bronson as the loving husband and father who goes on a murderous rampage of revenge after his wife is killed and daughter is raped.
The film spawned an amazing four sequels (1982, 1985, 1987 and 1995), all starring the legendary tough guy Bronson.
Sylvester Stallone, short on imagination these days, but not steroids it seems, has been trying to get a remake going he will direct and star in ever since he finished the latest Rambo. Good old wikipedia says production "has been halted".
Verdict: Leave it alone. The basic story has been done to 'death'. The recently released Brave One, with Jodie Foster was good enough.
* * * * *
6. Logan's Run
First seen in 1979 starring Michael York in the futuristic adventure about a man who defies his society's ruling that all must die at the age of 30 by fleeing ... hence the run.
I know ... they already remade this film in 2005 under the guise of The Island and starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johannson. A few plot points were changed, but Logan's Run was definitely an inspiration.
A true Logan's Run remake looks a formality though with Josepth Kosinki (yeah, never heard of him either) set to direct. They may as well cast McGregor and Johannson in the main roles again. That's them above, not about to go ballroom dancing, but in the costumes worn by the original cast members.
Verdict: Don't make Logan run anymore please.
* * * * *
5. RoboCop
First seen in 1987 directed by Paul Verhoeven (Total Recall, Starship Troopers) and starring Peter Weller (Buckaroo Banzai) as the cop who dies and comes back as a bad-ass robot.
The movie had a sequel in 1990, but director Darren Aronofsky (The Fountain) is planning a total 'reboot', so another origin story for the big guy.
No casting has been announced, so let's nominate Christian Bale, he's linked to just about every action movie set to be made these days. He battles robots in Terminator Salvation, why not become one in RoboCop?
Verdict: The originals (1 and 2) still stand up well, thanks to the under-rated Verhoeven, so don't touch.
4. The Warriors
First seen in 1978 starring Michael Beck as Swan the leader of a Coney Island gang on the run from rivals in Los Angeles after they are mistaken for killing a prominant leader
Well, it looks like the Warriors are coming out to play again with Ridley Scott's brother Tony (Deja Vu) seemingly on board to direct and produce.
The usual suspect that is Christian Bale has of course been mentioned to play Swan, as has romantic comedy lead and occasional buffed up action star Ryan Reynolds.
Verdict: Maybe, maybe not. Actually, definitely not. The movie belongs in the late '70s.
* * * * *
3. Conan
First seen in 1981 starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the big bad bustling barbarian - who just happened to have an Austrian accent.
The remake is in very early development, so early a director is yet to committ though it's been reported Brett Ratner could be on board after he makes Beverly Hills Cop 4 with Eddie Murphy. Yeah, oh no...
While it's believed the studio that owns the rights has said it wants an unkown actor in the title role, Gerard Butler (300) is a favourite among fans. But, what about Roland Kickinger? Another body builder, he is afterall taking over Arnie's role in the Terminator series. he's Austrian too!
Verdict: Worth a try, but without Ratner's dirty little mits.
* * * * *
2. Escape from New York
First seen in 1981 written and directed by John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell as Snake Plissken, a convicted criminal sent to rescue a kidnapped President of the United States.
The remake's script has gone through many rewrites, but is yet to nail down a director. Again, Brett Ratner's name has been mentioned. There has been talk the new film could be a prequel though.
The popular Gerard Butler was an early favorite to take over Snake, but has dropped out. Russell reportedly wasn't much of a fan of him playing the part anyway.
Verdict: I like the prequel idea, but not the remake idea, and again, not Ratner.
* * * * *
1. Clash of the Titans
First seen in 1981 starring Harry Hamlin as Perseus, the ancient Greek 'adonis' who battles Medusa and the Kraken, among others, in order to save his 'princess bride'.
This remake is almost ready to roll with the director, Louis Leterier (Incredible Hulk), and a star, Sam Worthington (Terminator Salvation) as Perseus, signed. That is Sam above. Some fans are hoping Angelina Jolie is cast as Medusa, though it all seems a little too 'Grendel's Mother' for me.
The movie is a great one to remake. While the orginal is a classic, the visual effects by Ray Harryhausen memorable, the story could do with a revitalisation using today's CGI technology. Leterier says he wants to use techniques similar to those from 300. Sure, it is risky, but why not ...
Verdict: Go for it. If it fails we've always got the original.
This is the first in a series of remakes heading into production...
7. Death Wish
First seen in 1974 starring Charles Bronson as the loving husband and father who goes on a murderous rampage of revenge after his wife is killed and daughter is raped.
The film spawned an amazing four sequels (1982, 1985, 1987 and 1995), all starring the legendary tough guy Bronson.
Sylvester Stallone, short on imagination these days, but not steroids it seems, has been trying to get a remake going he will direct and star in ever since he finished the latest Rambo. Good old wikipedia says production "has been halted".
Verdict: Leave it alone. The basic story has been done to 'death'. The recently released Brave One, with Jodie Foster was good enough.
* * * * *
6. Logan's Run
First seen in 1979 starring Michael York in the futuristic adventure about a man who defies his society's ruling that all must die at the age of 30 by fleeing ... hence the run.
I know ... they already remade this film in 2005 under the guise of The Island and starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johannson. A few plot points were changed, but Logan's Run was definitely an inspiration.
A true Logan's Run remake looks a formality though with Josepth Kosinki (yeah, never heard of him either) set to direct. They may as well cast McGregor and Johannson in the main roles again. That's them above, not about to go ballroom dancing, but in the costumes worn by the original cast members.
Verdict: Don't make Logan run anymore please.
* * * * *
5. RoboCop
First seen in 1987 directed by Paul Verhoeven (Total Recall, Starship Troopers) and starring Peter Weller (Buckaroo Banzai) as the cop who dies and comes back as a bad-ass robot.
The movie had a sequel in 1990, but director Darren Aronofsky (The Fountain) is planning a total 'reboot', so another origin story for the big guy.
No casting has been announced, so let's nominate Christian Bale, he's linked to just about every action movie set to be made these days. He battles robots in Terminator Salvation, why not become one in RoboCop?
Verdict: The originals (1 and 2) still stand up well, thanks to the under-rated Verhoeven, so don't touch.
4. The Warriors
First seen in 1978 starring Michael Beck as Swan the leader of a Coney Island gang on the run from rivals in Los Angeles after they are mistaken for killing a prominant leader
Well, it looks like the Warriors are coming out to play again with Ridley Scott's brother Tony (Deja Vu) seemingly on board to direct and produce.
The usual suspect that is Christian Bale has of course been mentioned to play Swan, as has romantic comedy lead and occasional buffed up action star Ryan Reynolds.
Verdict: Maybe, maybe not. Actually, definitely not. The movie belongs in the late '70s.
* * * * *
3. Conan
First seen in 1981 starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the big bad bustling barbarian - who just happened to have an Austrian accent.
The remake is in very early development, so early a director is yet to committ though it's been reported Brett Ratner could be on board after he makes Beverly Hills Cop 4 with Eddie Murphy. Yeah, oh no...
While it's believed the studio that owns the rights has said it wants an unkown actor in the title role, Gerard Butler (300) is a favourite among fans. But, what about Roland Kickinger? Another body builder, he is afterall taking over Arnie's role in the Terminator series. he's Austrian too!
Verdict: Worth a try, but without Ratner's dirty little mits.
* * * * *
2. Escape from New York
First seen in 1981 written and directed by John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell as Snake Plissken, a convicted criminal sent to rescue a kidnapped President of the United States.
The remake's script has gone through many rewrites, but is yet to nail down a director. Again, Brett Ratner's name has been mentioned. There has been talk the new film could be a prequel though.
The popular Gerard Butler was an early favorite to take over Snake, but has dropped out. Russell reportedly wasn't much of a fan of him playing the part anyway.
Verdict: I like the prequel idea, but not the remake idea, and again, not Ratner.
* * * * *
1. Clash of the Titans
First seen in 1981 starring Harry Hamlin as Perseus, the ancient Greek 'adonis' who battles Medusa and the Kraken, among others, in order to save his 'princess bride'.
This remake is almost ready to roll with the director, Louis Leterier (Incredible Hulk), and a star, Sam Worthington (Terminator Salvation) as Perseus, signed. That is Sam above. Some fans are hoping Angelina Jolie is cast as Medusa, though it all seems a little too 'Grendel's Mother' for me.
The movie is a great one to remake. While the orginal is a classic, the visual effects by Ray Harryhausen memorable, the story could do with a revitalisation using today's CGI technology. Leterier says he wants to use techniques similar to those from 300. Sure, it is risky, but why not ...
Verdict: Go for it. If it fails we've always got the original.
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Comment by NoaIzumi
Fine Politics
Anime Bottle
As for Death Wish, hasn't this idea been done (and done, and done) just to death? (Maybe someone could make a movie about hunting down and destroying all the Death Wish wannabes). Besides, Death Wish was a political film as much as an action one (it was born of the same societal frustrations that spawned Dirty Harry.), and the political situation today is very different.
As for the others, provided they're done well, I say go for it. The remake of Logan's Run sounds particularly interesting.
Oh, and to whoever is going to remake The Warriors, do whatever you think is best, just please keep the character of the creepy DJ chick. The movie just wouldn't be the same without her!
Comment by Two Guys Sports
Baseball Slate
Blogging in America
Reviews R Us
HA! As i typed that I went to check if it was Sonya or Sonja and found that they are already remaking it. I know remember hearing about it too. It is being directed by Robert Rodriguez and starring Rose McGowan. This could be a classic, or a train wreck. lol
Gene
Comment by NoaIzumi
Fine Politics
Anime Bottle
Comment by Movie Mall
Movie Catcher
The Invisible Sky
All the different corny gang costumes and themes were what made the original and I 'm not sure it would work now.
The fight scenes would have to be a lot better today, a simple no-holds-barred race through the city. Maybe it could work.
I do like the idea of a Snake origin tale for Escape, but who could ever really live up to Russell's take?
Comment by Movie Mall
Movie Catcher
The Invisible Sky
BTW, I'm all for a Clash remake. Loved the orginal, but would also love seeing what is a pretty entertaining story told with today's technology. I don't think it would take away from the first one either as it was just so unique.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Logans Run is one of my all time favourite science fiction films, not to mention Snake Pliskins epic escape (although the sequel from L.A. kinda killed it for me)... and I'm thinking this remake of it with Mr Butler couldnt be any worse than previous said part 2, could it?
Oh no.
As for Logans run, an interesting prospect to see where the CGI gurus will take a basically simple storyline and I may agree with you, leave it be?
An interesting heads up, thanks.
Lilla ...