Feb 26 2009'NeverEnding Story' Genuinely Not Ending
You know Hollywood doesn't care about your childhood. If they had the technology, and thought it would turn a profit, they would go back in time and make you CGI strangle yourself to death in the womb. You know this, but here's more supporting evidence (thanks, Joshua):
"The NeverEnding Story" might keep going.Warner Bros. and a pair of top-tier production banners are in the early stages of a reboot of the 1980s children's fantasy classic.
The Kennedy/Marshall Co. ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") and Leonard DiCaprio's shingle Appian Way are in discussions with Warners about reviving the 25-year-old franchise with a modern spin. The studio recently acquired rights to the property, clearing the way for a potential remake.
Born out of a German-language novel by Michael Ende, the film centers on a boy named Bastian Balthazar Bux who discovers a parallel world in a book titled "The NeverEnding Story." As the boy, a loner, delves deeper into the book, he increasingly finds his life intertwined with the plot of the novel, in which a hero in the land of Fantasia must save the universe on behalf of an empress.
The new pic -- which original producer Dieter Geissler also will produce and Sarah Schechter and Jesse Ehrman will oversee for Warners -- will examine the more nuanced details of the book that were glossed over in the first pic.
Those familiar with the project emphasize that it is in its early stages and that writers have not been attached.
As one of the many who grew up with dreams of flying on the back of a wise, old, pink dog-thing--who, in retrospect, acts really creepy with kids--I'm not thrilled about this, but let me play devil's (executive producer Leonard DiCaprio's) advocate for a second...
The NeverEnding Story was based on a German book of the same name, and according to the always-accurate Wikipedia page for the film, the author was so displeased with how far it strayed from the source material, he sued:
This film adaptation only covered the first half of the book... The novel's author, Michael Ende, felt that this adaptation's content deviated so far from his book that he requested they either halt production or change the name; when they did neither, he sued them and subsequently lost the case.
With the higher budget and elaborate effects common in modern children's fantasy films, and given a decent writer and director, this could be a better, more faithful adaptation for a new generation of kids that don't realize the wonders and dangers of perpetual tales. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to have an updated version where blue screen work isn't so distractingly apparent. Let's just not mess with the theme too much.
Reader Comments
1. Elmo - February 26, 2009 1:52 PM
..no! NOOO!!
why not remake Puff n Stuff too?! *cries*
2. Modern Spin - February 26, 2009 1:52 PM
I'll bet it get's a modern spin alright.
3. Jessica - February 26, 2009 1:56 PM
i could get on board with this if they explore Bastian's attempts to overthrow the Childlike Empress. plus i'd like to see the Desert of Colors.
4. The F'n Jem'Hadar - February 26, 2009 2:00 PM
I stand by my idea of being given one meeting a year with any production company of your choice where you can go in and ask, "what the hell? seriously?"
5. austin james - February 26, 2009 2:02 PM
cant be any worse then 2&3
6. B - February 26, 2009 3:00 PM
This one doesn't really bother me as much as other remakes/sequels. I don't know if because I kind of expect it to keep going (hence "never-ending") or if I just loved them so much as a kid I'd like to see it happen again. I think it has the potential to be great if done right.
But then, what does Hollywood ever do right?
7. Mr.Anderson - February 26, 2009 4:33 PM
I'm with you #6. I'm also uncertain about this. I actually liked the first movie (meh on the 2nd and 3d). It could go either way.
One thing I know for sure though is they will change Bastian's face and that's sad. I liked that kid, somehow I could associate with him. Not sure about the newer faces though :/
8. catch22 - February 26, 2009 4:50 PM
for the longest time i thought a chick sang that theme song.... turns out it was the guy from the thompson twins
9. orb205 - February 26, 2009 5:03 PM
I just want Noah Hathaway to get his big comeback (shh he played Atreyu):
www.myspace.com/noahhathaway
Anyone else remember a little made for TV mini series starring Rebecca De Mornay and Steven Weber of 'Wings' fame? That's what authors being unhappy about the original movie makes for.
(it's the Shinning and it was terrible)
10. proteon - February 26, 2009 5:44 PM
Number 8 you are a fool.
11. delic8 - February 26, 2009 7:38 PM
I never liked the original movie, got around to the book a few years later and it's probably my favorite book (or at least in the top three.) It's really wonderful, dark but not too dark, lots of really unique ideas and characters and a sort of inherent sadness.
Not a fucking pink ape/dog thing.
12. Anonymous Poster - February 26, 2009 8:02 PM
I refuse to accept the existence of this project.
13. falcorfan - February 26, 2009 11:14 PM
Yes!
14. B - February 27, 2009 11:34 AM
"sort of inherent saddness"
Maybe that's why I like this thing so much, it's not all happy and bubbly (I'm not emo or depressed I just don't like overly happy movies ala chick flicks so much. sometimes but not usually). Hmm...inherent saddness. I like that.
15. Tammy - March 2, 2009 1:34 AM
Did you have to mention Puf n Stuff, don't give them anymore ideas. They have stolen enough from us. Leave it alone you hear me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
16. Todd Michael - July 27, 2009 7:44 PM
Along with the remake of the film, I am looking for a producer for The Neverending Story on stage at Javits Convention Center in New York City. Both an opera and ballet score have been composed by Siegfried Matthus. Please refer to my website for more details by following the link below.
http://www.the-neverending-story.com