Posted on 08/02/2009 11:17:31 PM PDT by tlb
Steven Spielberg has committed to his next film, and it will be an adaptation of the Mary Chase Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Harvey,” which will be done as a co-production between 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks.
It is the story of an amiable eccentric, Elwood P. Dowd, and his friendship with a six and one-half foot tall invisible rabbit, and how it affects every member of his family and community. The play won the Pulitzer Prize in 1944, and was previously turned into the 1950 Universal film that starred Jimmy Stewart and Josephine Hull.
While DreamWorks has several pictures that Spielberg loves--the Abraham Lincoln project is one--those pictures weren't ready, and Spielberg wanted to get back to work quickly. He has a strong relationship with Rothman, who with his partner Jim Gianopulos worked with Spielberg and his DreamWorks partner Stacey Snider to bring "Harvey" came together in remarkably speedy fashion, with casting and pre-production to begin immediately, and production starting in early 2010.
Said Snider: "This is a story relevant for all times, perhaps more so than ever before. We are so pleased to be able, with Fox, to be bringing this to today's audiences."
(Excerpt) Read more at weblogs.variety.com ...
Harvey no more needs a remake then does Casablanca. Intellectual and artistic bankruptcy.
What has gone on in Tinseltown the last 10 years is nothing short of pathetic! What a great industry, lost to the dolts.
Go market your drivel in cuba spielberg
I think the brainiacs that would seek to remake this classic would know that Hanks is probably the only one who has the chops to pull it off.
That being said, I wouldn’t pay to see a new version taint my memory of “Harvey”. I’d also hate to see them gratuitously drop in crackberries and modern technology into such a remake.
Why don’t they just write something new rather than ride the nostalgia??
I thought Adam Sandler did an awesome job with “Bedtime Stories”. Obviously. there is probably a cache of good material out there for them to work with. Hollywood simply lacks creativity at the studio level.
I’ll take a pass on anything from Mr. Spielberg.
He was good back in the day, but now...not so much.
As a lover of movies from the golden years (for me that’s mostly 70s-80s), I can only theorize that they are absolutely and totally out of ideas.
The fact that they are making movies out of every single comic book, toy series, and...well remaking movies shows me that their creativity is zilch.
Doing Harvey would be a daunting task for anyone, since Stewart did it in such a low-key style, totally sincere, but with the touch of edge that made you wonder if a few of the bats HAD vacated the belfry. Jack Black would wreck it. So would Cruise. Sandler, maybe, would do a good script justice. Of course, knowing Spielberg, there would probably be some instance where Harvey would intervene in some situation, and everyone would go, "Aaaah. Maybe there IS a big bunny there...." or soemthing like that.
Yay! more remakes!
We need more remakes! PLEASE REMAKE EVERY MOVIE HOLLYWOOD!!!
Agreed.
Anyone that had anything to do with that last Indiana Jones movie is toxic waste now.
They can remake Harvey all they want but never will it improve on Jimmy Stewart’s version. That one is classic!
lololol.
Luckily, I have not seen that movie.
I remember The Raiders of the Lost Ark was such an awesome, entertaining movie in its day.
It’s almost like we are going through a “dark ages” as far as movie making goes.
I almost think that I could say the same about the music industry.
Adam Sandler could take Stewart’s place the way he did in Mr. Deeds. It just wouldn’t be the same, though, what with Elwood P. Dowd thoroughly beating the crap out of Dr. Chumley.
Hanks would be my guess from that list. He’s the only one who is likable enough to give Jimmy Stewart a run. Likability and gentleness is one of the key elements of the role. It’s one of my favorite movies but for the younger crowd a black and white movie doesn’t seem to work even if it’s a great movie with a fantastic cast. Another movie from a Broadway play that “doesn’t need a remake” but would work is Arsenic and Old Lace. Again casting and staying true to the play would be vital keep it alive. I can only think of 1 remake that was better than the original (1930 and later film) and that was Unfaithfully Yours.
You know they will have a CGI Harvey and everyone will be able to see him. He won’t be invisible like in the Jimmy Stewart classic.
This will stink.
I raised my daughters on B&W movies. Once they shut up and stop rolling their eyes, they soon forget it isn't in color.
I still want to see Sandler as Elwood P. Dowd beat the snot out of Dr. Chumley.
But who would play Cary Grant's role?
Red Dust and Mogambo.
Ehhh...this would not be one I’m looking forward to. I have a soft spot for the original.
I am a bit more optimistic about Spielberg’s plans to remake The Secret Life of Walter Mitty with Jim Carrey filling the lead role (done by Danny Kaye in the original). Carrey could pull that off.
By far, the WORST remake I think is coming down the pike is the forthcoming remake of the beloved B-movie classic “The Warriors.” They’re moving it from NYC to Los Angeles, they’re letting Tony Scott direct it, and it’s going to feature ACTUAL Los Angeles gang members in the supporting cast/as extras (Scott said they were “wonderful to work with”).
And don’t get me started on the planned Three Stooges movie...
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