Apr 8 2008'Emma' to Step Up 2 a New Adaptation
Watch this music video for Lil Mama's "Lipgloss" and what's the first thing you see? A strange tale of a topical psychoactive lip drug? The question of "what you know about [Lil Mama]" drawn out over four minutes of clapping and stomping? Someone rhyming "crushes" with "crushes"? That's why you aren't a powerful movie producer. If you were Screen Gems' Clint Culpepper, you'd see "Lipgloss" for what it really is: inspiration for a hip-hop reimagining of Jane Austen's Emma to be renamed Emme. Because that's apparently more "urban".
According to Variety, the film will center around a stepbrother and stepsister and feature no less than 15 song and (presumably competitive) dance numbers. And since it's a Screen Gems picture, you know you can expect the same standards of quality you saw in Stomp the Yard and You Got Served (i.e., being forgotten among all the other hip-hop competitive dance films).
Screen Gems set to remix 'Emma' [Variety]
Reader Comments
1. kimmy4lsu - April 8, 2008 2:01 PM
before anyone stupid comes on here to leave a racist remark, let me first say this: i'm black and do not like movies like this. there you go, now you can't generalize. have a nice day :)
2. WTF - April 8, 2008 6:10 PM
I agree with kimmy. I am also black, and feeling very much disgusted with this movie. Considering that I was already a fan of the film version of Emma starring Gweneth Paltrow, I'm also somewhat enraged. I'm so sick of Hollywood insulting my intelligence and catering to a small (believe it or not) faction of black americans who actually enjoy such ignorant bullshit. I haven't been this pissed since MTV and their anal rape of the timeless classic Carmen Jones (Carmen: A Hip-Hopera, for those of you who didn't know). This condescending "urbanization" in the hopes of attracting "those people" to the box office needs to stop. Whoever is actually looking forward to this film should seek serious help.
And I hate Lil' Mama. I'm not going to even bother pointing out what's wrong with telling a generation of young girls that their primary concern in school should be what flavor their goddamn lip gloss is.
3. Sarah C. - April 8, 2008 11:27 PM
Dear God why is this happening? I totally agree with "WTF," this is ignorant bullshit, and people who are excited or this this will be a credible movie do need to seek help, or a bullet to the face.
Does no one remember that "Emma" has already be remade into "modern times"? It's called "Clueless." Though "Clueless" was quite fun, why does Hollywood feel the need to continually rape Austin's work and her life (I'm looking at you creators of "Mansfield Park" and "Becoming Jane"). Hollywood was lucky and made a few good film versions of her novels, but don't press your luck, cause unfortunatly the film Jane is like the "Superhero movie fad." It's novelty is running out, and people will end up being hateful toward her and her workd. Not only is this going to be a horrible remake/update (which there is too much of these days) but it's going to be another one of those stupid dance movies. JUST STOP FOR GOD'S SAKE!
Sorry this was the longest rant ever, but I love Jane Austin and her work so dearly I hate to see this kind of terrible thing being done to her.
4. Sharpton's Perm - April 9, 2008 4:11 PM
Boooo-urns. this looks wack. Jane Austen has been 'reimagined' a billion times already. Get a new schtick.
However, I take issue with your Stomp the Yard diss. It wasn't bad at all. It wasnt high art but it wasnt crap. It was actually exciting.
Just because a movie is "urban" doesn't mean it immediately has no merits. maybe this blogger shouldn't be so snarky.
Your bias is showing.