Jul 1 2009'Let the Right One In' Remake Won't Actually Be 'Twilight', If That Was Your Concern
You know how it goes: a foreign movie gets some mainstream appeal, next thing you know a Hollywood executive is planning a sleeker version with actors who say things in English. Dubious improvements must be made; subtitles will not be tolerated. Progress.
One of the latest victims: the Swedish pre-teen vampire sensation Let the Right One In, a film Cloverfield director Matt Reeves has been working on re-writing since early last year. He's currently shooting for a fall 2010 release date, and spoke to the LA Times about the project, squelching fears of Twilight-ization I hadn't even thought to have yet:
"I was just hooked," Reeves recalled recently. "I was so taken with the story and I had a very personal reaction. It reminded me a lot of my childhood, with the metaphor that the hard times of your pre-adolescent, early adolescent moment, that painful experience is a horror."Reeves is also working with casting director Avy Kaufman -- who previously found kids for "The Sixth Sense" and "The Ice Storm" -- to find the two leads, which Reeves vows will not be aged-up to make the film more of a smoldering "Twilight"-style romance.
"There's definitely people who have a real bull's-eye on the film," Reeves said, "and I can understand because of people's' love of the [original] film that there's this cynicism that I'll come in and trash it, when in fact I have nothing but respect for the film. I'm so drawn to it for personal and not mercenary reasons, my feeling about it is if I didn't feel a personal connection and feel it could be its own film, I wouldn't be doing it. I hope people give us a chance."
The article also notes the US version's new, more specific title, Let Me In, which I think is probably a good change. We all know the majority of American audiences don't want to think about things too much. No reason to concern them with determining who the "right one" to let in is. Just lay it all on the table: it's me, guys. Let ME in.
(Thanks, Ashleigh.)
Reader Comments
1. poop - July 1, 2009 2:24 PM
1st :)
2. Pat - July 1, 2009 2:32 PM
Actually, Let Me In is the actual title of the book on which Let the Right One In is based. At least, that's what it's been published as in the States.
3. Bob - July 1, 2009 3:03 PM
If he's so fucking passionate about it, why doesn't he finance it so it can be brought over and put in mainstream theatres instead of trying to remake it with american actors?? Maybe try having an original thought, writing his own script.
4. Brandon - July 1, 2009 3:43 PM
I'd just be happy if we could get an actual translation in the subtitles. I finally watched this movie, for the first time, today. And in the special features I noticed the subtitles were different.
And then I listened to a few minutes of the English audio track and it wasn't the same as the subtitles either.
However, I am not against an American version, as long as it doesn't make any unnecessary changes. And I will be even happier if they explain the scar. Because I still don't know the story behind it.
5. Nick - July 1, 2009 3:53 PM
Spoilers
The scar is because the vampire "chick" was really a eunuch. That's what she meant when she kept saying she wasn't a girl, not that she was a vampire.
6. orb205 - July 1, 2009 11:45 PM
I agree with #3
Also I thought this was a really cool movie and worked well because it was in this desolate Swedish winter setting, I thought it added to the feel of the story. For some reason hearing everything in Swedish did as well. Basically, I think this guy is wasting his time.
7. rob - July 1, 2009 11:54 PM
whenever an American director starts jonesing to remake a foreign film it's an example of the highest form of a lack of imagination
8. jon - July 2, 2009 12:24 AM
That makes no fucking sense whatsoever. He's justifying the fact that he's remaking the film by stating that he really respects and enjoys this film. If you REALLY did like the film, then why does he hold such a strong necessity into remaking the fucking thing? I love Let the right one in, and the fact that it's getting remade makes by gag reflex crazy. I'm dry-heaving for the night.
9. Whoopknacker - July 2, 2009 6:56 AM
Matt is not remaking the film. He is doing an adaptation of the book. I became far more anxious for the US take after reading the book. I loved loved the Swedish film. Matt isnt making the film because the Swedish one was bad. He is doing his take on the book. I believe that he is honest and sincere about making it good. I wouldnt bother me a bit for a French, German, Latin, Japanese or Indian take on the book. People have to realize this isnt the US picking on the little guy. If it makes the world feel any better just call it the Obama version.
10. me - July 2, 2009 12:27 PM
Is this going to be anything like them ruining the film "Rec" with "Quarantine"? Ugh, this is just another shitty director, ripping off other people to make a quick buck because he's got writer's block (which may be a saving grace for the rest of us). "Let the Right One In" was a fantastic movie, and I'm not going to disrespect it by watching a piece of garbage film (even if it is being based on the book, it's still a rip off).
11. movie g0ddess - July 2, 2009 1:17 PM
This movie is nothing like twilight its better then that drama shitty ass movie, (SORRY TO THE PEOPLE THAT DONT HAVE TASTE) this movie is a must see. Its a bloody sick time kick ass movie!!!!!
12. Jim - July 2, 2009 4:32 PM
Let the Right One In was overrated. Fanboys seeing their dreams of a their gf/bf being a vampire and taking out all those mean folks that picked up on them as children doesn't not make it a great movie. The androgynous nature of Eli does not make it a "deep" film.
That said, Hollywood has no originality. LA is overrun with douchebags in Affliction tshirts and $400 jeans? Oh, almost forgot the yellow Lambo; it's like their contracts require them to be the of the same git mold.
13. Travis - July 4, 2009 1:50 AM
America has bastardized the film industry, yet again.
14. Neofunk - July 5, 2009 5:39 PM
No! No! no! goddammit Do not want!
Can we just be orginal and stop remaking shit? I mean damn how many versions of Sense and Sensibility have they made?