We get word today that George Clooney may be making an appearance in the remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. We get the skinny thanks to our friends at cinematical:
First came Naomi Watts as a possible replacement for Tippi Hedren in that long-brewing remake of The Birds. Now a rumor straight from Metro.co.uk claims that George Clooney might play Mitch Bremner. It seems that the original Mitch, Rod Taylor, told the Daily Express: “I often cringe when I hear mention of remakes but I’ll hold judgment, especially since I’ve been told Clooney’s the favorite.” To add to the displeasure, Tippi herself said: “Can’t we find new stories, new things to do? Must you be so insecure that you have to take a film that’s a classic and try to do it over?
Amen Tippi, Amen. Remakes are (usually) ridiculous and life would be better if they did not exist. It’s cool to see someone from the original Birds weigh in and speak the truth about this remake. It’s also hilarious that George Clooney alone seems to be buttoning Rod Taylor’s critical lip. I can’t say I blame him, if anyone would do justice to a remake of The Birds – it would probably be Clooney.
I can’t say that I’m pleased that they are doing a Birds remake, but I am glad that Clooney is on board. This is a best of the worst news announcement for me.
Go right ahead and do it.
Yes, you heard right.
DO IT.
Then the filmmakers (co-prod. Michael Bay among them-is Platinum Dunes still involved?) will be schooled once more that they cannot top Hitchcock’s style. Be assured the remake will contain that schoolyard scene, the beats leading up to it…and being today’s day and age, I’m sure they’ll want to explain everything too.
The main problem here isn’t so much that it is a remake, it is the problem that we know pretty much what they will do with it. While getting a name or two (or a rumored name or two) sounds promising, it doesn’t help.
But I say again, go ahead, Hollywood. Be by guest. Just make your own film, don’t attempt to copy Hitch’s style, don’t boast “we can do with CGI that he couldn’t do then” because while that may be true, those were real 1,000 some birds in that last shot and that’s something you’ll never be able to do even if you glued the bird’s talons to the posts. Do not make the same err that Gus Van Sant made with Psycho. Don’t try to carbon copy Hitchcock.
By the way, Hollywood did follow the above advice. Back in the 90’s…the Showtime movie Birds II: Land’s End …you all know how that came out.
As for Clooney?
It’s a great casting idea to be sure. All for naught.
so Clooney knows that the bird is the word.
They need to remake movies that suck. Don’t remake classics.
*hangs head* Why must you people interfere with classics? Just leave them alone.
I agree with Tripp….just leave this one alone please
Clooney needs to do more mainsteam projects.This would be a good movie for him.
“I am glad that Clooney is on board.”
1. It’s only rumour at this stage
2. In my opinion, if they put a big actor (by no means am I saying that clooney is a good actor), it will ruin any chance of this being a good remake. If Clooney was used, there will be probably a lean towards the love story since that’s what clooney is known for and it is the only way to give him ‘good lines’ (well it is a movie about killer birds after all)
This remake has been in the pipeline for over ten years I’d say at this stage and Tippi has been a strong denouncer of it for a long time. In my opinion, the lower key the remake, the better it turns out (i.e. dawn of the dead,), very few hollywood remakes make the grade (War of the Worlds atleast captured the visual aspect perfectly). If Clooney or any really big star gets the role, you know this remake won’t be about the birds no more….
Some things need to be left alone. This classic is one of them.