Kidman Twitches For Bewitched?

Sci Fi Wire ^ | September 20, 2002

[Paul Atreides]

Nicole Kidman is in talks to star in Columbia Pictures' Bewitched, a proposed feature-film adaptation of the long-running television series of the same name, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher's Red Wagon Productions is producing.

No offers have been made to Kidman, and no deal is in place for her to star, but the actress is said to have expressed interest in the starring role of Samantha, the witch who tries to abandon her powers for the sake of her mortal husband, Darren, the trade paper reported. Sources told the trade paper that Mike Myers (the Austin Powers franchise) is the top choice to play Darren.

The proposed project has no director on board and is out to writers to begin a new draft, starting from scratch. Penny Marshall, who at one point had been developing the feature film, is expected to produce the project in some capacity, the trade paper reported.

Bewitched ran on ABC from 1964-'72 and starred Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha.

[Paul Atreides]

At first, I thought this might be rather fun to see. I could imagine the great things they could do with the special effects and I think Nicole could do a great job with the role. Then, reality set in, and I realized that this would be present-day Hollywood producing the movie. I imagine that Darren would be a typical modern-day dolt of a husband; Serena would be a NOW hag; Uncle Arthur would be a flaming homosexual; Endora would be a closet lesbian; and other such p.c. nonsense.

[Paul Atreides]

I forgot to add, they would probably have to have some loony Christians on there, as well. Preferably, from the South, and staunchly Republican. Oh yeah, Larry Tate would be a evil Republican.

[Charles Henrickson]

Seems to me that the TV series "Bewitched" was itself an adaptation of a film ("Bell, Book, and, Candle"?). Is this now coming full circle, film-TV-film?

[Young Werther]

Enchanting!

[John W]

"Uncle Arthur would be a flaming homosexual..."

Well,he was.

[Paul Atreides]

He wasn't on the series. He was going to get married to a snob, who hated his practical jokes.

[Jeff Chandler]

They'll probably do to it what they always do to TV shows when they turn them into movies- use the standard "Scubie Doo" script. Witness Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, Brady Bunch, etc..

[Jeff Chandler]

[Paul Atreides]

I thought of that, they will throw in every fart joke, drug reference, and whatever, to bring up to what passes as entertainment today.

[Jeff Chandler]

The baby boomer and GenX comedy writers generally stink. The writers of the previous generation often had experience going back to Vaudeville. Could you imagine a show today like Get Smart, The Dick Van Dyke Show, or the early years of The Andy Griffith Show?

[Paul Atreides]

Plus, they didn't have the P.C. spectre to deal with. Everything was written to make people laugh and for escapism, rather than ram some liberal agenda down the audience's throats.

[Mike Darancette]

Preferably, from the South, and staunchly Republican.

Are you saying no Kravitzs?

[Paul Atreides]

They would keep the Kravitzes, probably making her a nosey Republican. However, with witchcraft involved, they would HAVE to have an intolerant Christian thrown in to get across some message.