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Everything Old Is New Again! Only Suckier!

Remakes of Harvey and Jesus Christ Superstar on Tap / Dustin Rowles

Trade News | August 3, 2009 | Comments (35)

Two high profile remakes are in the news this morning, so let’s rape us some memories!

First off, remember last week, when I was talking about how Spielberg has a tendency to jump onto projects only to ditch them a few weeks later when something else good comes around? Well, just four days after expressing interest in directing Matt Helm, Spielberg has made an official decision on what his next project will be. No surprise: It’s not Matt Helm. In fact, it’s a remake of Harvey, the 1950 Jimmy Stewart film based on the Pulitzer Prize winning play. And it’s also right in that Spielbergian wheelhouse: It’s about a man whose best friend is a 6’3 rabbit named Harvey. People think he’s crazy. They think he’s a drunk. Mental institutionalization is pursued. And it’s hard to know whether Harvey exists or not. But it doesn’t matter; all that matters, in the end, is that Jimmy Stewart believes it and that Harvey makes him happy. It’s got a certain Lars and the Real Girl quality to it. A novelist, Jonathan Tropper (The Book of Joe) has written the adaptation. No one has been cast yet, but if Ron Howard doesn’t steal him away first, this is actually a perfect role for Tom Hanks (and, barring that, the dramatic actor version of Jim Carrey).

In other remake news, Marc Webb ((500) Days of Summer) is negotiating to direct Jesus Christ Superstar, which was also a 1973 film, but is much better known for its stage version. The idea, with Marc Webb attached, is to update it from hippy to hipster: Jesus would obviously wear a Western shit with snaps, tight jeans, and Robert Pattinson hair.

I love (500) Days of Summer, and I think that Marc Webb is a terrifically talented director (and his music video background helps), and I actually do think that he’s a good fit for the movie. But damn: I loathe the music in Jesus Christ Superstar, and even if they got Hall and Oates to give it that Philly sound and cast JGL as Jesus, I couldn’t work up any enthusiasm. I like dipster hoochbags as much as the next guy, but I can’t abide by Andrew Lloyd Webber.


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Comments

Remember when we were asked to pick what movies we would like to see remade?

I picked Harvey.

So this makes me happy.

Posted by: Colin at August 3, 2009 9:30 AM

I love Andrew Lloyd Webber and most things musical theatre, but I LOATHE Jesus Christ Superstar with all of my fibers. I went to see it when I was a teenager, and our seats were so high and so bad, I felt like I needed a seatbelt not to fall to my doom. Plus the music mostly blows. Blech...

Posted by: Patty O'Green at August 3, 2009 9:36 AM

For the longest time, until just a few months ago when some friends pointed it out to me, I always sang "What's up Boss, tell me what's happening" instead of "What's the buzz, tell me what's happening". True Story.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at August 3, 2009 9:40 AM

i hope richard kelly picks it up when spielberg falters.
it could be 'harvey darko'.

Posted by: gp at August 3, 2009 9:41 AM

Another True Story: I have still never seen Harvey.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at August 3, 2009 9:42 AM

I really wish everyone would keep their hands off Harvey. It's perfection with Jimmy Stewart, and no matter what anyone says, Tom Hanks ain't Jimmy Stewart.

Posted by: Cindy at August 3, 2009 9:44 AM

P.S. The first True Story is made even funnier when you realize that the NAME of the SONG is "What's the Buzz".

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at August 3, 2009 9:45 AM

Harvey is one of my favourite films ever. I'm not actually het up about the concept of a remake in general, but if motherfucking Jim Carrey is in it then I'm gonna start hurting people. I mean, you know, more than usual.

Posted by: Sarina at August 3, 2009 9:48 AM

AvB,

I have never seen Harvey, either. It falls well into the vortex of old movies I will probably never get around to seeing.

With my limited first-hand knowledge of the movie, it sounds like Sam Rockwell might be a prime choice for this. We always talk about taking remakes in a new direction, so Sam could bring an edge to the character that the audience wouldn't accept from Tom Hanks while still being charming and likeable.

Posted by: Kballs at August 3, 2009 10:09 AM

"In other remake news, Marc Webb ((500) Days of Summer) is negotiating to direct Jesus Christ Superstar, which was also a 1973 film, but is much better known for its stage version."

I always thought it was the reverse. Most JCS fanatics I know (and I'm one of them) are all about the movie.

Posted by: samantha t at August 3, 2009 10:17 AM

I hate Andrew Loydd Weber. The man is one of the biggest hacks to make a name on Broadway. Cats blows, and the most I can muster for Phantom is a big "Meh." However - so help me Godtopus - I love Jesus Christ Superstar. One of my all-time favorite musicals.

Posted by: Bistro at August 3, 2009 10:38 AM

I like Jesus Christ Superstar. Lots. It's a fun pairing with Last Temptation, since the different interpretations of Jesus' response to his fate spark some interesting discussions, and in the movie version, you get the best bell bottoms ever. The original stage version had much better Pharisees though, I think. However, not a big fan of remakes in general, when the original is perfectly fine. Think of something new! Please!

Posted by: Phaeolus at August 3, 2009 10:50 AM

I think JCS works precisely because it is all hippy dippy, no makeup, burn your bra, grow your hair biblical style.

What they need to remake and give a new spin to is Hair.

I think Tom Hanks would be a good successor to Jimmy Stewart in Harvey. That movie could use with a bit of an update, even if it's only to make it in color. Some people won't see B&W movies, and that's a shame. I don't think Sam Rockwell would work. He's not old enough. It needs to be someone middle aged.

Posted by: BWeaves at August 3, 2009 10:54 AM

This past winter I actually worked on a traveling production of Jesus Christ Superstar when it came through Baltimore. Before the first show, the guy playing Jesus came through backstage and shook the hands of each and every one of us wardrobe drones, looked us right in the eye, asked how we were doing and told us to have a good show. Afterwards, I was just kind of like "Huh, well that was nice." Then I went home and googled the name of the actor.

It was Ted Neeley, still playing Jesus after all these years.

So if they're going to remake this they'd better hire him as something, because if he's gonna spend 36 YEARS on the character the least they can do is have him on as a consultant. And I go back and forth on the music, there's some good 'uns, and some bad 'uns.

Posted by: Genny (actually Rusty now) at August 3, 2009 11:02 AM

BWeaves,

He's 41! He has wrinkles on his face!

Bah!!!

Posted by: Kballs at August 3, 2009 11:03 AM

Shut up, JCSS is AWESOME.

Posted by: zito at August 3, 2009 11:06 AM

AvB and kballs, No one sees Harvey. I'm not sure if you're joking. I mean, literally, no one sees Harvey.
And I saw (500) Days yesterday at an old theater full of hipsters and it was amazing. Listen to Dustin on this one, boyos. He may have no respect for Star Wars but he called it. This is the best movie of the summer. It makes Garden State look like a Rob Schneider vehicle. When it finally makes it closer to where I live I'l see it again. I'll buy it on DVD and loop the musical number so I can feel happy all the time. I'm still singing fuckin' Hall and Oates.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at August 3, 2009 11:08 AM

Optimus,

Seriously? You thought I was talking about casting the rabbit and not Jimmy Stewart's part?

*backs away slowly*

Ooookaaaaayyyy.

Posted by: Kballs at August 3, 2009 11:19 AM

Jesus would obviously wear a Western shit with snaps, tight jeans, and Robert Pattinson hair

If they cast Robert Pattinson as Jesus expect about twenty million tweeney-boppers to suddenly become born again. And Jesus will become a sex symbol. He'll be inside locker doors and hanging on ceilings, staring lovingly down at starry eyed girls as they look up at his hipstery, Bedhead and think, "I don't know how to love him/What to do, how to woo him/He's a man/he's just a man."

Also, they should cast Ashton Kutcher or Wilmer Valderama as Judas.

Posted by: Ava at August 3, 2009 11:20 AM

Oh, no kballs. You said you never saw Harvey. I was being a little dickish. Harvey the rabbit is invisible. So he is never seen.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at August 3, 2009 11:26 AM

I liked that Elwood was a loveable drunk in Harvey. Aside from the fact that Harvey is a six foot invisible rabbit, no one is sure if he exists or not because Elwood is smashed the whole time. How are they going to handle the drinking in the remake, I wonder? If they leave it in, I hope it doesn't become a heavy-handed DARE ad.

The music in JCS is still great after all these years.

Posted by: phquaryn at August 3, 2009 11:31 AM

If they are updating Harvey then shouldn't the Jimmy Stewart role be a junkie or something 'edgy' like that? Or get Tarantino to direct and then Harvey can go on a blood splattered revenge spree.

Posted by: Odnon at August 3, 2009 11:31 AM

Jimmy Stewart's character was drunk all the time?! Why didn't anyone tell me this!!!

*frantically includes Harvey in Blockbuster queue*

Also, Optimus, that was a pretty lame play on words. I need something awesome from you soon to wipe the stench of that buffoonery out of my brain.

Posted by: Kballs at August 3, 2009 11:43 AM

I adore Jesus Christ Superstar. When my roommate moved in last summer our "If you were a guy I'd straddle you" moment came after discovering a mutual love of Judas' song "Heaven on Their Minds." We ended up wasted and singing along to her laptop in the kitchen.

Posted by: Julie at August 3, 2009 11:57 AM

Julie, I'm moving to Philly and into your apartment. You guys have fun.

Posted by: Whorish Mouth at August 3, 2009 11:59 AM

Ooh, Genny (aR), I had no idea Ted Neeley was still going! I have the DVD of the movie, and he seemed like a great guy on the commentary, so it's nice to hear he is one in real life, too.

Harvey was a really cute movie...again, not convinced it needs to be redone, since the original stands up so well. And I agree, I can't imagine a remake will be able to get away with the protagonist being an affable drunk throughout the movie.

Posted by: Phaeolus at August 3, 2009 12:17 PM

I love JCS. For the most part. The movie is pretty good, but the real powerhouse is the original London album, with Ian Gillian (Deep Purple) as Jesus, and the rest of the named characters stocked with a virtual who's who of early 70s British rock singers.

The thing I dig most about JCS was how groundbreaking it was for Broadway. Hair is usually name checked as the first "rock" musical, but aside from the guitar, it was really mostly pop with a hard snare sound added. JCS came out in 1970, just barely after Woodstock. Hell, it was only in 1965 that Clapton "invented" recorded guitar distortion by refusing to turn down. For a cutting edge sound like JCS to make its way to Broadway, and succeed, was a major fluke, especially when you look at what it was playing alongside. Hell, "Hello Dolly" was still doing major business.

Anyway, I'm sure everyone wanted to know that.

Posted by: Ian at August 3, 2009 12:23 PM

Addendum: Ted Neeley sounds like a nice guy, and will forever be the Jeebus people associate with that musical.

However, I saw him a few months ago on the same tour noted above. Guy needs to hang it up - his voice was so obviously, painfully aged, it was a little embarassing.

Posted by: Ian at August 3, 2009 12:25 PM

We fucking get it you loved 500 days of summer. I mean you mention the director and put a picture of that fucking retarded movie up. Just move onto the next indie movie your going to blow so i can stop looking at pictures of the little kid from 3rd rock from the sun. He fucking creeps me out , looks like he wants to touch my child in an inappropriate way.

Posted by: gilp at August 3, 2009 12:40 PM

You SHOULD WM. Later that night we compared boobs and fought over whose was better. This was as we watched baseball. We were such a cliche.

Posted by: Julie at August 3, 2009 12:47 PM

Jim Carrey could really tackle any classic Jimmy Stewart role. He'd be a good choice. I think Sam Rockwell would, too, but that's partially because I saw Moon yesterday, and I want him to do more movies.

Posted by: Christian H. at August 3, 2009 12:48 PM

JCS was my family's alternative tradition to church on Easter Sunday. It was seriously way better. When my younger brother was 5, he saw us watching the movie and asked "What is this? Aladdin?" Precious.

I saw one stage-version of JCS set in what was basically Nazi Germany. I've also seen Ted Neely reprising the role on stage also. The hippy version just works.

Posted by: Monica at August 3, 2009 12:51 PM

Oh christ...I saw the last remake of Harvey. It was a made-for-TV movie with Harry Anderson (yes, Night Court's Harry Anderson) and Leslie Nielsen. I stopped it after five minutes. There's just something about the charm of the original cast--one of the women originated the role in the Broadway run and won an Oscar for the film version.
Here's hoping Spielberg forgets about this one in the next week and goes back to remaking Schindler's List with an all-Ewok cast.


And yes, Jimmy Stewart's character is an alcoholic in that movie. I have a feeling that'll be the first thing to go in the remake--or made into a horrible, over-dramatic demonization of drinking in general. Call me crazy, but I just don't trust most of Hollywood with good material.

Posted by: Jim Doggie at August 3, 2009 1:09 PM

Actually I think Hollywood would rather turn the Harvey remake into some kind of grand statement about mental illness, probably schizophrenia. Because that's gritty and real! It'll make people think! It'll be like, "who's really crazy now, viewer!"

I wish I were being facetious but I suspect someone's going to see the above and offer me a chance to do uncredited work on the script.

Posted by: Genny (actually Rusty now) at August 3, 2009 2:55 PM

Hey, Spielberg!! How would you like it if someone decided to remake "Jaws" or "ET"??
Not so comfy with that, are you?

Posted by: Krissy at August 3, 2009 7:18 PM





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