Apr 27 2009Long Live the New New Flesh: 'Videodrome' Remake Coming
The immediately-dated cinematic possibilities of someone pushing their face into a YouTube clip are so wretched it's almost impossible to resist, and so Ehren Kruger, writer of the new Transformer, The Ring, The Ring Two, and the straight-to-video Rings, has made plans to write and produce a remake of the David Cronenberg's cult classic Videodrome:
Universal Pictures will remake the 1983 David Cronenberg-directed thriller "Videodrome," with Ehren Kruger set to write the script and produce with partner Daniel Bobker.The original "Videodrome" starred James Woods as the head of Civic TV Channel 83, who makes his station relevant by programming "Videodrome," a series that depicts torture and murder that transfixes viewers.
The new picture will modernize the concept, infuse it with the possibilities of nano-technology and blow it up into a large-scale sci-fi action thriller.
Just like with this new Tron, it seems like the decades of added perspective and semi-fulfilled technological predictions will be both a benefit and a detriment to any proposed remake. The world is closer to Videodrome concepts in 2009, and as such, the remake would enjoy a certain gravity and renewed relevance through its social commentary. However, at the same time, these ideas are no longer so prophetic today, so doesn't that render the basic concept of Videodrome a little flaccid and redundant?
Bear in mind, my skepticism in no way means I'm not looking forward to seeing how modern effects would achieve the film's epidermal cancer gun. I'm just a little concerned a CGI-rendered vagina-Blu Ray player might lack the corporeal horror and shame of the original's practically-created lady-part-VCR.
Universal to remake 'Videodrome' [Variety]
Reader Comments
1. Andrea - April 27, 2009 2:38 PM
I'm not happy at all, honestly (as usual when I see the word 'remake').
2. Jason - April 27, 2009 2:38 PM
I'm a big fan of the original, but, yeah, it's gonna be hard to make a videotape made out of flesh seem scary. Maybe it'll be a blu-ray disc....AAAHHH!!
3. Hal - April 27, 2009 2:57 PM
BLURAYDROME I could live with, YOUTUBEROME I would look the other way in disgust, but NOBODY watches Videos anymore = Remake Title FAIL.
4. Butch Decossas - April 27, 2009 3:18 PM
I LIKE THIS!!!!!
5. Zachus of Walker - April 27, 2009 4:59 PM
NO! NO! NO! NO! This Videodrome remake is no good. I've just about had it with hollywood remakes. Arg! A part of me feels like going, "Please, please, please, please do not remake Videodrome Mr. Bobker, Mr. Kruger, and Universal Pictures. Let good movies stay good. Please! Please do not capitalize on an idea that has already been done and then simply replicate it and sup it up with modern technology and new actors. Please do not mess with the fantastic script for Videodrome and it's flawless execution. If you're not Andy Warhol you shouldn't be producing kitchy copies of other people's art.". However, another part of me is like, "AGH! Must start underground movement to stand against hollywood remakes! Creative minds and hands join together to create a better Hollywood. Uprise!".
6. mrrgl - April 27, 2009 5:21 PM
coming up next, a remake of Blue Velvet starring Tom Hanks
7. sal - April 27, 2009 6:04 PM
@6, don't give them any ideas. This is close to the last straw for me, unless they fuck with Brazil, but I doubt Gilliam would let any studio do so. I hope this shit never gets off the ground. You shouldn't be allowed to make any film that isn't original, it should work within it's limits (time, budget) and has at least some creativity, but then again that's stating the obvious. Let good films stay good films, jeez! Give people a reason to want to go to the movies....
8. Pluto - April 27, 2009 7:46 PM
NNNoooooooooo!!
Not only is a remake very unnecessary, this Ehren Kruger cunt will destroy it!
9. ramdom - April 28, 2009 2:09 AM
"...BLURAYDROME I could live with, YOUTUBEROME I would look the other way in disgust, but NOBODY watches Videos anymore..."
DVD= Digital *Video* Disc
10. Allen - April 28, 2009 12:19 PM
Make it. Remakes of great movies are almost universally terrible. It in no way degrades from the original movie. In fact, I think it makes it that much better. Gives the viewer a good example, and a bad example, so that they can really appreciate how good the good example is.
The Television Screen is the retina of the minds eye after all.
11. Smutje - April 28, 2009 12:21 PM
@9 Digital *Versatile* Disc
Seriously.
Google it.
I'm so smart.
12. me - April 28, 2009 2:15 PM
Seriously, this is the worst news I've read today. What the hell are this people thinking ruining cult classics just like that? No way I'm gonna watch it...
13. Snuggie Review - April 29, 2009 12:18 AM
Finally a CGI stomach vagina with teeth... wait, is this a good thing?
14. Ultimate Toronto - August 15, 2009 11:31 PM
Death to Videodrome. Long live the new flesh.