I only got around to seeing the original Fright Night almost 2 years ago when a friend of mine (who just loves the film) insisted I come over and watch it. I’m glad I did. The movie is flat out hilarious for a horror movie (intentionally funny… not “so bad it’s funny”) and I instantly understood why so many people call it a classic.
There has been some rumblings for a while now about a Fright Night remake. But as long as the rights to it have sat with Screen Gems, we really haven’t heard a word. Well… that’s all changed now because Dreamworks has taken over and will produce the film now.
Bloody Disgusting gives us this:
Michael Gaeta and Alison Rosenzweig of Gaeta/Rosenzweig Films are producing along with Michael De Luca. Rosenzweig, who also is setting up remakes of “The Reincarnation of Peter Proud” and “Angel Heart” with De Luca, brought the project to him.
DreamWorks co-president of production Mark Sourian is overseeing for the studio, which has rarely foraged in the horror genre for material. Its most recent two outings — “The Uninvited” and “The Ruins” — grossed just $29 million and $17 million, respectively. But its remake of “The Ring” and its sequel grossed $390 million worldwide.
I hope they keep this as a Horror/Comedy and not try to go just one or the other. That was what gave the original so much flavor. I’m ok if they make some changes obviously… but PLEASE keep that flavor.
Tragic! Not looking forward to this at all!!!!! No one is creative anymore it’s so irritating! They should just make their own vampire movie with their own characters and leave this one alone. I absolutely love, love, LOVE this movie and I know it’s going to be horrible like every other remake out there. It’s going to be completely butchered. The characteres are can not be replaced! It was an amazing 80’s movie, just let it be! Sheesh!
I hope it does stay a Comedy/Horror and if it does and does well, I want more of this style of film to come back. American Werewolf in London comes to mind also as a fantastic Comedy/Horror flick and more of the style I so desperately miss.
fright night is one of my favorite films of all time.
i do not want this remake to happen.
besides disturbia was pretty much a remake anyway
I may be in a minority here, but I preferred Fright Night 2 over the first. That said, I honestly don’t know how to feel about a remake being made of Fright Night. Best word I guess would be apathetic. It doesn’t bother me a remake is being made, nor am I excited to see one done.
I’ve said it before and I will say it again.
Roddy McDowell’s character should be played by Elvira!!! perfect twist and a casting made in heaven, the retired horrow host queen.
It would be nothing short of brilliant
Great movie! Snuck in to the theater when I was a little kid with my friends. It was rated R so we were all way to young to see it. But theaters can be very forgiving places and we got in! And that movie has been an instant classic for me. Even enjoy the movie as an adult…it’s held up great over time!
If they remake it, just do it well. I am open to reboot, as long as it is fresh and exciting as the original.
Fright Night also paid homage to Hitchcock’s Rear Window, which was revisited again recently with…
…DreamWorks Disturbia!
I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. I’m just pointing it out.
Now as for the remake itself.
The role of Peter Vincent (a name inspired by Peter Cushing and Vincent Price) could be recast; the character cannot. Let me elaborate. In today’s age, there aren’t any “horror hosts” as there were in the mid 70’s to early 80’s. Not any who ‘dress up’ for it, anyway. A good chunk of the fun of Fright Night is the eccentric Peter Vincent “The Great Vampire Kiiler”, played by Roddy McDowell.
*The character could still be “Peter Vincent” in a string of DTV films which has a cult following for the cheese factor; thus, the character could be played by….Robert Englund? Doug Bradley? Brad Dourif? Patrick Stewart?
* The character could still be the “host”, due to YouTube and related “webisodes”, but it doesn’t have the same…effect. Not while teens are making out anyway.
——
Evil Ed
The character should not be changed under any circumstances, except that (maybe) he would be more into a goth subculture, but that’s about it really. In essence, the character is very early Stephen King character-like (the nerd/reject who is given a supernatural power or responsibility, only to use it for revenge or gain, and/or gets overtaken by the power that is beyond his control, such as Carrie or in Christine)
—–
Let’s say the laughs/dark humor are tossed aside. This would be a mistake. It had the proper balance (like American Werewolf In London) of horror and (dark) humor, perhaps even more so. It cannot be the rollercoaster so it has to be a dark carnival ride or the funhouse.
But we also run into another problem. The “rules”. The rules are based on the classic horror cliches, most of which have been put aside, specifically crosses/fear of crosses/faith for crosses to “work” and/or holy water (which always calls to question, should faith alone be enough? Or is there something that has been around the holy water or crosses, such as incense? Is it just fear of God or “a god”?) and is fear of impalement still a requirement of vampires? Or are we only sticking to garlic, no reflections and sunlight?
Vampire flicks have updated or re-invented themselves; fewer and fewer rely on the “traditional” rules.
******
The light GLBT subtext of the film, perhaps unintentional, but ironic, considering Amanda Bearse and Stephen Gefforeys.
(and, despite that once promising actor’s dive into gay porn, I *would* love a Gefforeys cameo in the remake)
Should that subtext remain, if it was there at all intentionally?
I bring it up, not because I agree it should remain or not, but simply because such possible subtexts or interpretations cause the film to be that more memorable. It’s getting something “more” out of a film, even if that interpretation is wrong. It keeps the film alive, it keeps it interesting. Most of the masses could care less. But it’s fun to debate and discuss such things.
Yes, there was once a day when horror also served as political or social commentary aside from the chills and spills. There would be something to hang your hat on.
I probably don’t make a lick of sense to the internet world.
I for one certainly don’t want to see a remake of this movie. I’ve enjoyed this film ever since I was a little kid and it’s still one of my favorites to this day.
Roddy McDowall as Peter Vincent was just the perfect casting choice for that part and really made the movie what it was. Chris Sarandon was excellent as well.
Well…since they are remaking every other horror franchise out there, might as well throw this into the mix for good measure! I just hope they can pull it off and do it right.
I’ve seen Fright Night several times. I just found ou when i read this that they’re going to do a remake. I’m afraid they’re going to find a way to screw it up though. Like MOST remakes.
I don’t think i’ve ever seen Fright Night, sounds like a lot of fun though i love me some horror comedys. I’ll try check out the original before it’s remade.
Be afraid!
I have a funny feeling they are going togo straight horrpr, which will be a huge mistake. This is a wait and see for me.
BTW, seen the original Fright Night about 20 times. Great movie.