John Carpenter’s Starman is getting a remake

If you haven’t already seen John Carpenter’s Starman then go watch it right now (it is currently on Netflix here in the UK). It is a beautiful film that stars Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen and Charles Martin Smith. Oh, and there was a TV show sequel that aired in 1986.

Answering a NASA message intended for aliens, a space being tries to contact mankind, but an American missile grounds his ship. Scrambling, the so-called Starman (Jeff Bridges) inhabits the body of a late Wisconsinite and kidnaps the dead man’s widow, Jenny Hayden (Karen Allen). Determined to reunite with a vessel from his home planet at a predetermined site, Starman and Jenny travel to Arizona. Pursued by military officials trying to kill him, Starman forges a lasting bond with Jenny.

Shawn Levy (Night at the Museum, Real Steel) has has joined the project to direct and produce the remake for Columbia Pictures. Michael Douglas, who produced the original, will produce with Levy. I do think a cinematic sequel would have been more interesting way to go.

I love the original film, but have got no problem whatsoever with a remake. The original will always be there and the remake could be good. If it sucks, well at least it will bring the original back into the public eye.

Arash Amel (Grace of Monaco, The Titan) is writing the screenplay for the new version.

So instead of the usual, “why can’t Hollywood make original films,” “remakes are rubbish,” just take a deep breath. This is (probably) getting made so just go with it. Moaning about it won’t change things so let’s just keep on keeping on.

With that in mind, who would you like to see star in the new version?

Also, as Jamie Graham just reminded me, Jeff Nichols’ Midnight Special has a similar kind of set up and feel to it.

Could this be an April Fools’ Joke?

Via THR