Disney to Remake/ Reboot The Rocketeer

[Greg Cox]

Harvey wrote:

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Everyone is too old for a sequel to the original.

And much of today's audience wasn't even born when the original came out, over two decades ago. And, as much as it's fondly remembered in certain circles, the first movie failed at the box office. So this really isn't a case of "if it's not broke . . . ." It broke the first time out, twenty-plus years ago.

So, yeah, Disney can be forgiven for not wanting to do a sequel to a flop from over twenty years ago!

Starting over is the only sensible plan.

[The Squire of Gothos]

Icemizer wrote:

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If its still a period piece where he is involved with and battling Nazi's I am all for a reboot of this property. Anything else and I am out.

When does fighting Nazis ever get old? If it has the mob and the Feds settling their differences for a minute and going after Nazi paratroopers with tommy guns, all the better.

[Donald Draper]

I remember seeing the original in the theater when was 12. As long as this is faithful to spirit of the original I am very excited. As other have said a period tribute to old pulps and movies.

It appears a lot of people who grew up as fans are working at Disney now. The revamped California Adventure has a few small references to the movie. Buena Vista Street is themed to 1920's and 1930s Los Angeles. There are posters for the air show the Rocketeer first appeared at and the South Sea club. There is a line of Mail boxes. One is labeled A. Peabody, Peevy's real name. Also in a shop there is a group of mannequins. One is of a man wearing exactly the same type of leather jacket the Rocketeer did.

[Christopher]

^Which could explain the interest in rebooting the property. I imagine that's also why it's been revived at IDW -- people who were fans of the original comic are now running comics companies.

[Greg Cox]

Christopher wrote:

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^Which could explain the interest in rebooting the property. I imagine that's also why it's been revived at IDW -- people who were fans of the original comic are now running comics companies.

That's often the case. Fans grow up, get in positions of power, and bring back their nostalgic favorites.

Expect the $500 million remake of FIREFLY about twenty years from now . . . .

[Captaindemotion]

^ F*ck that, it better be a continuation!!!!!!

[Donald Draper]

Christopher wrote:

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^Which could explain the interest in rebooting the property. I imagine that's also why it's been revived at IDW -- people who were fans of the original comic are now running comics companies.

Exactly. On Disney forums, fans have been hoping for years for a Rocketeer ride to be added to that park. Based on it perfectly fitting the new theming.

I love the movie but until recently I was doubtful it would ever happen. Because the movie was not a success financially. But now that Buena Vista Street opened in June those tributes have been revealed. Plus the new comics. But particularly this report of Disney being interested in a new movie. Its very possible a Rocketeer ride would be created if the new movie is popular.

[The Badger]

Gaith wrote:

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... That said, in the interests of creativity, I would like to present a motion that the rocketeer be a dame this time around. (The Bettie Page-esque love interest can stay.)

http://www.dieselpunks.org/group/fas...female-cosplay

She'll risk some serious burns flying like that.

[Holdfast]

The Rocketeer was a fun little movie but it had its flaws too. I certainly don't think there's any harm in a new version, and potentially a lot of good could come of it. And if it's awful, well, that hardly means the original is any less fun.

(Talking of Disney movies of that era that are ripe for a remake, how about Dick Tracy? I actually really liked the 90s film for what it was, but would love a remake.)

[Christopher]

The Warren Beatty Dick Tracy didn't quite work for me. I'm not really much of a fan of Dick Tracy, but I think a good way to revive it would be Batman: The Animated Series style, as a stylized but gritty animated production, faithful to the look and feel of the original strips. DT's balance of cartoony, exaggerated elements and serious, violent crime drama would work better in that format than in live action.

[jbny67]

Holdfast wrote:

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(Talking of Disney movies of that era that are ripe for a remake, how about Dick Tracy? I actually really liked the 90s film for what it was, but would love a remake.)

It won't happen unless Warren Beatty gives up the rights.

[Christopher]

^Couldn't Beatty just be an executive producer on a film made by someone else? That's how it's often done where film rights are concerned. For instance, every Batman movie in the past quarter-century, not just the live-action Burton, Schumacher, and Nolan films but every animated theatrical or direct-to-DVD movie that's been made from Mask of the Phantasm through the upcoming Dark Knight Returns adaptation, credits Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan as executive producers, not because they're the ones making the movies, but simply because they're the ones who own the motion picture rights to Batman, so anyone else who wants to make a Batman movie has to do it with their permission and cooperation.

[Holdfast]

jbny67 wrote:

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It won't happen unless Warren Beatty gives up the rights.

I didn't realise he owned them.

I liked his movie: the sets, the costumes, the songs, the cast; they're all great. But the story wasn't quite as good as it good have been. Christopher suggests an animated series would do it justice, but I prefer live action to animation and think that the kind of stylised violence DT needs would be much more appreciated by current movie audiences than their early 90s equivalents.

[Christopher]

^Well, I meant an animated movie; I just used B:TAS as an example of how an animated production can be highly cartoony in design while also being serious, gritty, and noir in content.

[Holdfast]

^ Oh, I see. I thought you meant an animated TV series instead of a live-action movie. Yeah, I can imagine an animated movie working well, I guess. But I still tend to prefer live action to animation, and would love to see a modern interpretation. So much was right about the 90s version; it would be great to see a really solid story with more stylised & serious action scenes supporting the story.