K.T Simpson
There is a LOT of remakes and reboots happening in Hollywood right now, which could mean that executives see the potential in modernising an older-school script, or they’ve simply run out of ideas. My money is on the latter, but let’s not get into that debate.
There’s a bit of news to report regarding these projects today, so let’s summarise it in one tidy little package, shall we?
The Six Billion Dollar Man
This is ‘Marky’ Mark Wahlberg’s starring role in a reinvention of the TV classic “The Six Million Dollar Man”. The 70s TV show followed military officer, Steve Austin, who becomes part of a top secret government program after a horrific accident leaves him near death. With the help of cutting edge technology, Steve is brought back to life with extraordinary abilities, making him the world’s first truly bionic man.
Coming Soon have reported the release date of the film – May 31, 2019.
Zorro
Details have been released for the upcoming reboot of “Zorro” by Jonas Cuaron, and at this stage titled “Z”. Kiersey Clemons and Gael Garcia Bernal will star in the movie, but thus far no details have been revealed about their characters – until now.
That Hashtag Show are reporting that Clemons will be playing a teenager of Haitian descent, who is the female lead of the project, and interestingly calls herself “Zee”. Bernal’s character is reported as the male lead, a veteran adventurer. His character will be taking up the role of mentor and presumably looks to pass on the ways of the swashbuckler to the next generation. He will team up with Zee, who has proven leadership qualities, and together they will go to war with a corrupt corporation known as M-Corp.
Does this mean that Zorro will be a female for the rebooted flick? It wouldn’t be the first reboot with the ol’ gender switcheroo. I guess all that remains to be seen, with production set to begin in May.
Fear
“Fear”, a 1996 thriller, is the next to get the reboot treatment with Universal. The film starred Reece Witherspoon and Mark Wahlberg in the lead roles, and centered on Witherspoon meeting Wahlberg’s character in what seemed to be a perfect love match — until his darker side emerged and it all went off the rails.
The new script is being penned by Jonathan Herman, and while details are scarce at this stage, Deadline reports that it could be told from the female perspective (remember the gender switcheroo I just mentioned!!).
The Crow
The remake of “The Crow”, which will star Jason Moama in the lead role, has been given a release date of October 11, 2019. Director Corin Hardy is bringing the film to the big screen again, even though the original director has previously expressed disdain for the project.
No official details have been released about the script, but a release date locked in will certainly be good news for fans of the project.
Highlander
Things are moving for the “Highlander” remake, with Deadline reporting that Ryan Condal has delivered a script to Lionsgate, and pre-production to begin later in the year. The project has been in the works for nearly 10 years now, and is said to be a new take on the 1986 movie.
The original film starred Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery, and telling the story of an immortal Scottish swordsman who can only be killed by decapitation. Lionsgate is said to be “very happy” with the script Condal put in, so things are finally happening.
Logan’s Run
Warner Bros has reportedly just closed a deal to reboot “Logan’s Run”, written by Peter Craig and directed by Simon Kinberg. The project has been in the works for a number of years now. The 1976 film was based on the novel by William F. Noland and George Clayton Johnson, and is set in a utopian society in the future where the population and consumption of resources are maintained in equilibrium by killing people as they reach 30. It follows Logan 5, a ‘Sandman’ killer, as he runs off his Jessica, while being chased by another Sandman, after he faces death himself.
Again, it’s a potential that the film could have a female lead, according to Deadline.
