Screen Gems to remake ‘Fright Night’
Posted by Rodneyon 19. 09. 2007in News Chat
This is very odd that this story comes now, considering only last week I had chosen the original film as my horror pick of the week, but it turns out they are indeed in fact remaking my favorite cult classic vampire film, Fright Night. (Nooooooooooooooooo!!!)
The good folks at ComingSoon gives us this:
ShockTillYouDrop.com has learned that Sony’s Screen Gems is remaking Tom Holland’s Fright Night. The site says that the studio is currently “sifting through Hollywood’s supply of writers” and will go in a new direction.
Now I finally understand why people get so territorial and upset when their favorite movies get remade. I grew up with this film as a kid, and still watch it from time to time. It still holds up in my opinion. It’s going to be hard to see one of my classics get butchered and remade on the big screen again for the younger crowd, but maybe Screen Gems will do a good job with the flick. (Yes, I am in a huge state of DENIAL right now…just go with it.) Who are they going to get to fill sexy Chris Sarandon’s shoes as the charming vampire, Jerry Dandridge? Who’s going to play Charlie Brewster and Peter Vincent? More importantly, who is going to play Evil Ed? ( I hope Stephen Geoffreys makes a cameo!)
Honestly, I’d rather see a Fright Night Part 3, than see this classic remade. (Although I still vote for George Clooney as Jerry Dandridge!) What are your thoughts?
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I can see Shia LaBeouf as Charlie Brewster, but after doing Indy 4, I doubt it he would go for it. They would probably get some kids from High School Musical…yuck.
How about Christopher Walken as Peter Vincent?
Christopher Walken is an awesome casting choice…but considering Shia Lebeouf did “Disturbia” ( the movie that took scenes right out of Fright Night) I don’t think he would do something just as similar. Screen gems might do it justice…they brought us Anacondas, The Cave, and OH GOD…they are going to DESTROY this CLASSIC! No!!
Still to this day I hear his voice echoing in my head:
“Ahhh Brewster… you’re so coooool!” (insert evil laugh here)
“A different direction”? What’s that supposed to mean? Mummy or Werewolf instead of Vampire? More comedy? A change in the “traditional” vampire rules (I’d say that’s more likely, seeing how ‘Fright Night’ was among the last of some of them, specifically holy water and/or crucifix fear. While ‘Lost Boys’ also had holy water involvement, the Froggs also mixed it with garlic)
I agree a “Fright Night 3″ might be slightly better, (even if it focused on Evil) but, Serena, as much as I think the idea of remaking Fright Night is, like the majority of other horror/thriller remakes, is to capitalize on the brand name and nothing more. No one ever suggests ‘make a new vampire movie’ that has nothing to do with ‘Fright Night’ or for that matter,’Underworld’.
The other day I thought Hugh Jackman would make a good Dandridge. I changed my mind. See, I rented the DVDs of a certian BBC series from last year – “Robin Hood’ – and while the majority of eps were occasionally repetitive, it wasn’t half bad. One standout actor played Sir Guy of Gisbourne- his name is Richard Armitage.
I’d cast Mr. Armitage as a Vampire any day of the week. Heck, if there was a flick based on the Marvel vampire Morbius, I’d say he could pull it off. I’ll even go out on a limb and say even if he doesn’t play a vampire, Armitage will be the next big import from England to the US. Mark my words.
As for who can play Charlie, Evil Ed, and even Amy? Amy–maybe “Messengers’ Kristen Stewart- but these roles I think if this remake is done (it won’t) will mostly composed of fresh faces.
As for Peter Vincent, The Great Vampire Killer…this is where I think the remake folks are going to hit a roadblock. I feel that whoever does it (“if it happens”) will feel that they have to parody or mimic the late Roddy McDowell. I can say it most likely will be a character actor. Might even be someone steeped in the horror genre at that. I’m almost positive that’s who they might aim for-(again, “if”)
Will Screen Gems find scribes? I’m sure they will. But mark me, Serena.
IT WON’T HAPPEN. Not every proposed “remake” will see the light of day. Will writer(s) be paid to write it? More than likely. Will it get made? Doubtful.
@Terry: Shia already had his Fright Night. It’s name was Distubia.Only instead of a vampire, it was a serial killer.
It would be really funny if Chris Sarandon could play Peter Vincent now! He is of the right age at this time for the role! Maybe George Wendt could do it except he might be a little chubby.
Just shoot me now, this is still one of my favorite films and now I get to see this butchered as well. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Hollywood has official run out of ideas. I mean look, they’ve already remade half of John Carpenter’s films with awful results and they will soon be finishing his collection of titles with, I’m sure, poor films.
Look if Hollywood would slow down and stop making so many flipping movies a year, then they would have ideas to last a lifetime.
Along with Halloween, Fright Night is one of those films that they shouldn’t even touch or do anything with. It’s good the way it is and I like that.
Last but not least it’s, (Evil Ed’s evil laugh) Oh, you’re so cool Brewster!
I’m surprised no one has mentioned this yet, but why not Elvira Mistress of the Dark to play the Peter Vincent role?
That would rock!
TD
While I’m horrified that my favorite vampire flick is about to be butchered on the big screen (anyone recall the recent remakes of The Hitcher or The Fog or When A Stranger Calls…ugh!), I’d love to be a young actress in Hollywood getting a chance to play in this reality. As for casting…the original cast is pretty much perfect. Just watched this film last night, actually. For Peter Vincent, they’d need another actor who has the actual screen cred…I vote Bruce Campbell. He’s a good actor and wouldn’t spoof or copy Roddy McDowell. If you think about it, he’d be perfect. Hell, William Ragsdale is now in his 40′s and still cute as ever and could handle the Dandridge role. As for Amy…not a clue. NOT one of these current cute as a button a strong breeze can blow me over type of gals though. Amanda Bearse looks like a real woman and not a paper doll. As for Evil…no one could come close to the superb performance given by Stephen Geoffreys so they’d be a fool to even try. They would have to have a quirky actor who could take the character in a different direction while still eliciting the same sort of sympathy Evil does in the original. On to Charley…uh…good luck. Ragsdale was great in that role. Scared sh–less but still strong and stubborn. No Hollywood pretty-boys, PLEASE. A normal looking kid who happens to be a talented actor would be perfect. But concentrate on chemistry between cast members instead of the flavor of the month A-lister. The reason the first movie worked is because A) Tom Holland was enjoying the hell out of making that film and he knew what he was doing…not just with FX but with tight writing, tone, mood, and atmosphere. As a fan of Hammer films, I loved the inside jokes. If you’re a fan of vampire films you’d also notice that the staircase in Dandridge’s lair is also the same one used in the original Tobe Hooper version of ‘Salem’s Lot done in 1979. Tom Holland did an amazing job with “Fright Night.” B) The cast had amazing chemistry. The film works because you care about the characters and the relationship (albeit unwilling at first) between Charley and Peter develops quickly under pressure. C) Chris Sarandon dominated the screen in almost every scene he was in and exuded the deadly confidence and appeal of his character.
It’s scary how many good horror films are being remade right now and they just can’t live up to the originals. They’re casting for Near Dark right now and I’m still trying to wrap my skull around that one.
Well this is one of my favorite horror flicks, and I would probably watch a remake although the first one was great and should be preserved a remake would be interesting to see with all of todays new technology such as cg etc. but I just hope they don’t go too overboard! maybe they can get some of the same actors although 20 some odd years older and call it fright night reunion or something. Just a thought.
The best actor to play Jerry Dandridge would be Christian Bale. He’s got the look and he’s been on a roll in the movies lately. Shia Lebeouf has to be Charlie. He’s the go-to guy nowadays. If he turns the roll down, give the guy the money. Every movie he’s in seems to do really well. Charlie’s mom should be Amanda Bearse. I don’t think CGI should be involved in this movie at all!!! Hopefully Chris Sarandon and William Ragsdale will make a cameo. If they had Roddy McDowell’s character in, (surprise) Malcolm McDowell.
well i have been waiting for years for this movie to have remake to it. an up to date version of it , if they need a girl im your girl i love this movies man i grew up on it and its a killer. i know this generation will love it .