In a previous article I spoke about how 80’s remakes are by in large a complete mess. That is not to say that there isn’t room for a truly awesome remake somewhere in the near future. By now everyone knows that Tom Cruise is back in his flight suit for the remake of Top Gun. Tom himself tweeted pictures on the first day of shooting, giving 80’s fans a bit of tingle at the mere thought of an iconic film getting a new lease on life.
But Top Gun isn’t the only classic scheduled for a remake in the next few years. Whatever your thoughts on remakes and their place in the cinematic world, there inevitable momentum of the 80’s comeback is turning the machine. Here’s what you can expect to see in the near future:
Bill and Ted
No doubt a cult classic in the same way as Elvis is in Las Vegas, the 1989 film Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure propelled Alex Winter (Bill) and Keanu Reeves (Ted) into the spotlight with their zany antics. The film was so popular is sparked a sequel in the form of Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey. Now, the studios are looking at making a third instalment called Bill & Ted Face the Music. How the film will deal with the aged characters is unknown but it could be a decent remake if done right. The question is whether audiences will pay to see Keanu Reeves in any format, even if it is a remake?
Beetlejuice
In 1988, Michael Keaton wowed audiences with his creepy rendition of Beetlejuice, the mischievous ghost-daemon with penchant for eliminating the living. Thirty years later, the sequel is finally getting written. The man penning the script is none other than Mike Vukadinovich who created the Runaways. The film will be directed by Tim Burton with Michael Keaton reprising his role in another over-the-top comedy/horror. Needless to say, we are looking forward to this one as much as we look forward to winning in real money blackjack.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
It was 1984 when the world was first introduced to Freddy Krueger. A string of sequels later, the film franchise eventually ran its course and we all though Freddy was finally dead. Then in 2010, a true flop of a remake hit the cinema with a resounding sigh of disappointment. Now, producers are having another go at it, this time with legendary horror writer David Leslie Johnson penning the script. He is the man responsible for the Walking Dead, The Conjuring 3 and Orphan so it actually could work this time.
Splash
Splash is a classic cult-film that appealed to a wider audience. Some 34 years later, the film is getting reprised with a bit of a twist. Sometimes a remake does need a complete shakeup and that is what you can expect here. In a bold move, the producers have decided to gender-swap the role with none other than Channing Tatum picked for the lead, and this could make for the perfect night of viewing, for female fans anyway.
Clue
Back in 1985, the film Clue hit the screens, taking the classic board game and turning it into a cult-classic film. The upcoming remake will see a whole new set of characters, a new murder and new suspects. Ryan Reynolds is confirmed as the executive producer and will most likely star in the quirky whodunit.
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