I can't say I've ever seen the original, but I have to wonder if the fans will be getting up in arms over this. Especially the part about updating it.
Sky/Fox to remake Rocky Horror
- Thread starter Bob The Skutter
- Start date
I can't say I've ever seen the original, but I have to wonder if the fans will be getting up in arms over this. Especially the part about updating it.
I have the original on DVD and I don't like where this is going, I like the original, and unless they were going to go back and get Richard O'Brien onboard to redo it the way he wanted to the first time, no thanks.
I listened to the commentary and watched some of the theatre version, a lot of his ideas for updating it would have been great to see. Even getting him back to do the trilogy as planned, I could forgive a remake of the first to set up the other two.
But this? a TV movie remake? just no. I mean how can they even surpass Tim Curry's performance for a start?
I listened to the commentary and watched some of the theatre version, a lot of his ideas for updating it would have been great to see. Even getting him back to do the trilogy as planned, I could forgive a remake of the first to set up the other two.
But this? a TV movie remake? just no. I mean how can they even surpass Tim Curry's performance for a start?
I'm not sure it could be updated. I mean, Janet would be expected to do a lesbian scene as well as doing Frank and Rocky. And she would be expected to do Brad nowadays too. That many Janet scenes would throw the movie off balance. Especially since Frank/Brad and Frank/Rocky would have to go. A modern version of course would add a lost of s&m/b&d. And
Eddie's part would be expanded.
Hugh Jackman for Eddie of course. Scarlett Johansson for Janet. Mario Lopez for Rocky. Richard Kahan for Brad. Christopher Walken for Riff Raff and Charlotte Rampling for Magenta. Nick Nolte for Dr. Scott. Natalie Portman for Columbia. Johnny Depp for Frank?
Eddie's part would be expanded.
Hugh Jackman for Eddie of course. Scarlett Johansson for Janet. Mario Lopez for Rocky. Richard Kahan for Brad. Christopher Walken for Riff Raff and Charlotte Rampling for Magenta. Nick Nolte for Dr. Scott. Natalie Portman for Columbia. Johnny Depp for Frank?
As long as I get to declare the new one 'not canon' I could live with that cast list.
But for the original film the stage character of Magenta was turned into Magenta and Columbia. Columbia wasn't in the stage play so which version will they be taking into consideration? might be easier if they didn't have two other female leads to work with, just one.
Leaves more room to extend Eddie's story. That would be awkward though, would they do scenes with him alive before the events of the original film (which if you kept Columbia would add her early days with Frank too) or flashbacks during the dinner scene?
If you want the twist of that scene to really hit home, add a lot of touching scenes of him alive via flashbacks during the song instead of the actors then have the final reveal.
Then of course they could show the Transylvanian's as having some true form other than Human *shrugs*
Will it still have a narrator, or will that part be cut too. Will Rocky's birth be all CGI or still a man in bandages. etc etc etc theres a lot that could end up being completely altered here.
But for the original film the stage character of Magenta was turned into Magenta and Columbia. Columbia wasn't in the stage play so which version will they be taking into consideration? might be easier if they didn't have two other female leads to work with, just one.
Leaves more room to extend Eddie's story. That would be awkward though, would they do scenes with him alive before the events of the original film (which if you kept Columbia would add her early days with Frank too) or flashbacks during the dinner scene?
If you want the twist of that scene to really hit home, add a lot of touching scenes of him alive via flashbacks during the song instead of the actors then have the final reveal.
Then of course they could show the Transylvanian's as having some true form other than Human *shrugs*
Will it still have a narrator, or will that part be cut too. Will Rocky's birth be all CGI or still a man in bandages. etc etc etc theres a lot that could end up being completely altered here.
True, and with him too old to redo the part, that one thing alone could ruin the whole project.
I've never seen the original although I had my chance many times as it was played every Friday night in Berkeley, California. Further proof that Hollywood has zero creativity and that another classic will be butchered.
Amen to that (and to The Murph).
The only person I can imagine successfully taking it on would be Johnny Depp. But they'd never get someone of his calibre for a tv production like this.
The original has its flaws, but for all that (indeed, possibly even BECAUSE of the flaws) it's a classic. Why don't tv channels just show it, or other movies like it, in a primetime slot to introduce it to a new audience? I'm not against remakes per se, but TRHPS doesn't really strike me as something that needs or begs for reinterpretation. I'd rather go and see an amateur stage production of it than a crappy tv remake. At least you'd have the theatrical fun and audience participation etc.
I'm always up for seeing re-imaginings, up dates, whatever of stuff. I don't have a problem with it. I don't think it detracts from the original. However, I adore RHPS and I'm skeptical that they can capture the spirit of the original. After all, even smiling makes my face ache. 
Okay, while I'm right in there with the idea that no Tim Curry, no decent production, because Tim is just, well, TIM F***ING CURRY, the thought just occurred to me that if they're going to recast, Eric McCormack would be an interesting Frank. He was on the 25th Anniversary special doing "Sweet Transvestite" and wasn't that bad. Not even remotely close to Curry's charisma, but it could work. Either him or Anthony Stewart Head, as he's already played Frank onstage.
Or they could have real fun and cast Jesse L. Martin. That would be interesting. He could definitely manage the charisma and stage presence.
Much as I love John Barrowman, I just can't see him as Frank. Brad, maybe.
If they're going to do this, whoever plays Frank is going to be key.
ETA: Ed Quinn from Eureka would be another interesting thought. After seeing him onstage at Comic Con, the man's got the presence and charisma to pull it off.
Or they could have real fun and cast Jesse L. Martin. That would be interesting. He could definitely manage the charisma and stage presence.
Much as I love John Barrowman, I just can't see him as Frank. Brad, maybe.
If they're going to do this, whoever plays Frank is going to be key.
ETA: Ed Quinn from Eureka would be another interesting thought. After seeing him onstage at Comic Con, the man's got the presence and charisma to pull it off.
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Apparently this isn't with Richard O'Brien's blessing.
This reminds me of the time back in the 80s when MTV aired The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Halloween. Most everyone I know laughed at the idea and just went out. RH isn't about the movie, it's about the crazy ass shit you get into in the theatre while watching the movie. The movie itself, while having a good heart about b-movies and some listenable music, is bloody awful. You might as well try to remake some other inexplicable phenomenon.
Yikes, another bad idea. But I'll play along with fantasy casting...sans Johnny Depp (too obvious!)
Frank: Robert Downey, Jr.
Rocky: Vin Diesel or perhaps The Rock
Janet: Amanda Seyfried (from Mamma Mia)
Brad: Chris Pine (from some upcoming movie, I forget the name)
Riff Raff: Wayne Pygram
Magenta: Helena Bonham Carter
Columbia: Christina Ricci
Meat Loaf: Jack Black
Dr. Von Scott: Max von Sydow
But I'll play along with fantasy casting...sans Johnny Depp (too obvious!)Frank: Robert Downey, Jr.
Rocky: Vin Diesel or perhaps The Rock
Janet: Amanda Seyfried (from Mamma Mia)
Brad: Chris Pine (from some upcoming movie, I forget the name)
Riff Raff: Wayne Pygram
Magenta: Helena Bonham Carter
Columbia: Christina Ricci
Meat Loaf: Jack Black
Dr. Von Scott: Max von Sydow
I heard about this awhile ago, and the only thing that prevented me for going absolutely bonkers, was waiting to hear from Richard O'Brien...
THIS IS A TRAVESTY!!!!
After reading this, I'm officially going bonkers.
THIS IS A TRAVESTY!!!!
I read about this two weeks ago and was appalled. I admit it. I love the original and can not see this being a good idea. Tim Curry is a god in that role.
However, having directed and produced the stage version before, I think this could be pulled off if they went in a completely new direction in terms of casting. I would suggest going with an actress to play Frank. If you have someone with the right sexual/masculine energy it could make the role fresh again. And instead of a doe-eyed Susan Sarandon clone, cast someone like Kristen Chenoworth. You could have innocent blond Janet turning into a sexual beast. Brad could be played by an actor known for being droll and he could then transform into a feminine Clay Aiken wannabe. The material lends itself to a broad range of possibilities. And if the director can spin the production in a new direction, one that pays homage to the original themes, stays away from becoming a bad Madonna video and carves out its own territory, it might could work. (I doubt anyone has the artistic creativity to do it though.) The show's themes of sexual ambiguity in a time of strict morality are still relevant today and could still make a powerful statement if handled properly.
However, having directed and produced the stage version before, I think this could be pulled off if they went in a completely new direction in terms of casting. I would suggest going with an actress to play Frank. If you have someone with the right sexual/masculine energy it could make the role fresh again. And instead of a doe-eyed Susan Sarandon clone, cast someone like Kristen Chenoworth. You could have innocent blond Janet turning into a sexual beast. Brad could be played by an actor known for being droll and he could then transform into a feminine Clay Aiken wannabe. The material lends itself to a broad range of possibilities. And if the director can spin the production in a new direction, one that pays homage to the original themes, stays away from becoming a bad Madonna video and carves out its own territory, it might could work. (I doubt anyone has the artistic creativity to do it though.) The show's themes of sexual ambiguity in a time of strict morality are still relevant today and could still make a powerful statement if handled properly.
Okay, I rescind my earlier remarks. My trepidation level just keeps rising.
Please let this not happen. Rocky Horror is a complete cult classic - I know it's not the best movie ever made, not by a long shot - but it works, I love it. A remake just wouldn't, couldn't work. And I'm another one who thinks that Tim Curry's performance couldn't be topped.
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