EJ Moreno with a selection of movies that really need a remake…
The Thing. The Departed. Cape Fear: Sometimes, a remake could be good; sometimes, the remake is even better than the original.
As a lifelong horror fan, it’s something I’ve come to accept; nothing is safe, and everything is up for a remake. That fact has helped a lot, making it even more important to go into remakes, reboots, or reimaginings with a positive attitude. But what makes a movie worthy of a new rendition?
Besides mining a well-known IP, there are plenty of reasons a studio or filmmaker could want to remake a film, and we’ve presented the ultimate “To-Do List” for must-see remakes. Join us as we list the top contenders for films that need a remake…
Waterworld
Most cinephiles know the lore of Waterworld and its reception, but the sheer potential here is not talked about enough. Kevin Costner almost unlocked a classic, but it sadly went the other way.
Waterworld dropped in 1995 with an insane budget of between $172 million and $175 million. While it made some of its money back, it didn’t make the splash expected. This frankly sucks for the film, as Waterworld is filled with delightful ideas and epic set pieces that feel timeless. Yes, I’m the rare Waterworld defender, but it’s ripe with good ideas.
In the era where audiences want blockbusters that aren’t connected to a massive universe anymore, the need for this type of sci-fi cult classic is obvious. If Dune: Part 2 does well this year, let’s revisit this world.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
We know the work of Alan Moore is rife with stories to adapt, but 2002’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen didn’t get its fair shake. With horror and action rising again, it’s time for more LXG.
The 2003 film was butchered by audiences and critics, which, to be frank, was earned. Alan Moore was even against the project, but that’s nothing new. That doesn’t mean a big-screen version couldn’t work, playing like an adult Monster Squad rather than a dry, inauthentic drama in disguise. Give us fun while still being gothic horror.
With Universal ushering in a new era of Monsters, we could see this steampunk-inspired superhero horror mashup shine. Find the perfect director for this: Universal’s golden boy Leigh Whannell.
Rope
You hear “remake Hitchcock,” and you shudder in Psycho 1998 cringe. But he’s not untouchable, and some films could work. The near-perfect Rope is easily one of the best choices to tackle again.
In the early 2010s, there was a moment in these “one-take” films where the gimmick is to seem like one continuous moment. While it didn’t click, that doesn’t mean Rope couldn’t spark it again. A new take will keep the tension high, as it masterfully did in the original, and give us a fresh, unique vibe.
Pair this film with equally strong actors as we had here, and we’d see a masterclass in camp, technical filmmaking, and how to capture the near-perfect work of Alfred Hitchcock in the modern era.
John Carter
Disney’s mostly forgotten massive flop lives on in the hearts of nerds as a major “what if?” Could John Carter work? Why not try again? It’s never too late to dust off a classic story, even if it feels a little dated.
Besides being a mediocre outing, John Carter suffers the problem of having everyone borrow so much from it that it almost feels stale when you see the origins of so many sci-fi motifs. That’s why hiring a skilled filmmaker would bring a new perspective rather than going for a traditional blockbuster.
Not to say the project would be on the level of this, but after seeing Oppenheimer, it’s apparent folks want spectacle, even if it comes in untraditional packaging. That’s what John Carter needs.
The Towering Inferno
Classic cinema should revised through modern lenses, but we haven’t touched upon the new age of disaster movies yet. The Towering Inferno is a perfect place to start, given its legacy and stunt-casting potential.
The Tower Inferno came out in a day when films needed to be events to lure folks away from television, much like our current streaming era—bringing back a movie where you’re witnessing heroism in a terrifying situation, bending genres, and not afraid to be a bit wacky. It would perfectly fit into this time.
Add a Kardashian, a retired actor coming back for one more gig, and hell, find a way to bring in a super controversial figure to have a dramatic first death. Make this a must-see event film.
All About Eve
If you don’t count Showgirls, it’s criminal that All About Eve is a story we never revised. The 1950 Joseph L. Mankiewicz film could easily fit in any era with iconic actresses in memorable leading roles.
As much as Hollywood has changed, so much hasn’t – which this film could perfectly explore. Feuding actresses fighting over a place in the industry is excellent material. Still, a new spin showing how much the industry plays a part in pitting them against each other could turn this into an Oscar contender.
Casting one of the last generation’s most prominent stars against a buzzy industry newcomer will add meta-commentary within the casting and give us a press tour we’ll never forget.
Jumper
Moviegoers are in an odd state right now. They want originality but want to stay close to the MCU-inspired action/comedy many come to expect. That’s where Jumper would shine now where it didn’t back then.
Jumper came out at a time when audiences and Hollywood were still figuring out what the signature style would be. It was missing something in the plot department, but the pieces were all there, especially with Doug Liman helming. While sequel talks floated around, a retooling closer to the Steven Gould novel is smarter.
With sequels to the novel allowing for some franchise potential, it’s wild to think Hollywood never thought to revisit this. It’s long overdue and would perfectly fit into any year’s movie slate.
What films do you think would benefit from a remake? Let us know on our social channels @FlickeringMyth, and be sure to head over to our newly-launched free Patreon and sign up for more from us…
EJ Moreno
