Universal and producer Dino De Laurentiis are setting out to remake the 1984 adaptation of Stephen King’s Firestarter.
The original movie starred a 9-year-old Drew Barrymore as a girl able to start fires at will. It grossed $17 million at the domestic box office. Although there were no sequels developed (besides the unrelated TV film “Firestarter 2: Rekindled”), the studio aims to turn the reboot into a franchise property. The goal is to begin filming in 2011
Now while people will cry that “another remake” is happening, this one I have no issues with.
Let’s review using TMB’s 4 Rules Before Making A Remake
1) The original has to have a good story
Firestarter had a great story that deals with the depth of a remarkable girl with powers and her father trying to protect her innocence. I have seen movies based on less.
2) Majority of current audience hasn’t seen the original
While this is hardly an unknown movie, most people honestly would not be able to tell you much about it but vague recollections. That counts. Most people in the current audience will not have seen this (or its been so long that they have forgotten most of it anyways)
3) Original has to be at least 20 years old
May 1984. Check.
4) The story would benefit from a modern telling
There is nothing in the film that makes it an 80s thing, so the story is easily adapted to a modern setting and using updated effects. Granted, considering the limited effects they did work with in this film, it was pretty impacting. It wouldn’t hurt the story or characters so, yes. This is a benefit.
So at the end of the day, I think I would welcome a Firestarter remake, and I wonder exactly what they might do with the story.
I have no problem with this at all, but you have to know that they’ll release this in 3D. I could be wrong, but it just feels like a movie that they’ll make in 3D.
The opening statement is quite a feat seeing how Dino De Laurentiis passed away earlier this month. Since Dino produced the original (as well s “Cats Eye) perhaps some rights were freed up and Universal could move ahead.
As to remake, there is also the fact that it is based on a novel. There may or may not be elements of the book (or changes from the book) that made it into the ’84 film.
And, BTW, the miniseries WAS related to the 84 film, Rodney. as It was a “sequel”.
I gotta tell you I love this movie, and to this day it seems David Keith still gets no respect. I realize Drew Barrymore is the more bankable star but David Keith’s portrayal as her father made this film in my eyes!
I would be interested in a remake, I also think it would be interesting to see what they could do with it now.