It shouldn’t be a surprise that we’re living in a time where no film is untouchable from the most dreaded word in the Film industry: Remake.
Sometimes studios like to treat us like we’re complete morons and calls their film a re-imagining, which usually doesn’t fool anyone. By now we should be used to it, but there’s always that one film that when we hear it’s being given that modern day do-over we simply lose our shit. Thus, with a new year comes a new host of films. Here are eight remakes set to hit the big screen in 2015.
It’s worth noting The Crow was initially on this list until January 26th, 2015, when it was announced Luke Evans had quit the project, leaving it up in the air again. This day was was henceforth known as the BEST. DAY. EVER.
1: The Fantastic Four
Final day on set for Marvel’s first family
There was a ton of mystery and skepticism surrounding the upcoming reboot of The Fantastic Four, so much so, up until the teaser trailer release in January, people still didn’t actually know about it! The reason you might not have heard anything is because Fox Studios hadn’t really released too much information about the project, which is set to hit the big screen in June. There are times that a remake can actually be a good idea, and this is one of those times. Chronicle director Josh Trank is at the helm of the reboot which sees the impressive, albeit young, cast of Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michel B. Jordan and Jamie Bell take on the roles of Marvel’s first family.
Why It’s Good: The 2005 version of The Faantastic Four was okay, but it didn’t leave a good, lasting impression so a remake is much welcomed in Marvel’s master-plan of their Superhero franchise. Plus, Chris Evans is now Captain America so rather than trying another sequel with the same cast, minus Evans, a reboot makes more sense.
Why It’s Bad: Fox really aren’t inspiring any faith in the upcoming remake, which has seen delay after delay and controversial casting. Now with mere months to go, we’ve ONLY JUST had a teaser trailer released. Either they’re about to release the greatest Superhero film known to man, or they realise how much of a mistake they’ve made and they are trying to sweep it quietly under the rug. We think probably the latter, but we’re still hopeful.
Release: June 2015.
2: Poltergeist
Poltergeist was originally slated for 2013 but was pushed back to 2014 and now 2015. The scenes have been shot and we’re finally ready for a release. Despite these setbacks it boasts impressive star power with Sam Rockwell, who doesn’t tend to do bad films (we can forget about Iron Man 2), so hopes are high and the trailer (below) looks promising.
Why It’s Good: Supernatural horror popularity is at an all time high since the inception of the concept and now is the time to strike. Also Sam Raimi is attached and he can bring solid experience that remakes typically don’t get.
Why It’s Bad: Classic horror remakes like Carrie have not faired well in modern times, such is the turn of the tide with remakes in general, so this one may still struggle to be a hit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCmAaNk_iIQ
Release: July 2015.
3. Point Break
The Point Break remake is one of those remakes that, again, has taken a long time to get off the ground and it makes you wonder why. Just trying to think how it could be told in a new way, along with the new cast, who all look like poorer versions of the original cast, and you just question what is the real point for Point Break 2015? Of course it’s just to attract a new audience and you can imagine the remake being full of annoying hipsters to make it cool for the modern audience.
Why It’s Good: The one shinning light for the film is director Ericson Core, who has a wealthy history in cinematography and was at the helm of the surprisingly good 2006 Sport Drama Invincible starring Mark Walhberg.
Why It’s Bad: Simply put, it will be another Footloose. There really isn’t a need for this remake and, as mentioned already, the cast seem like a poor version in every way to the original, with particular emphasis on Ray Winstone, who hasn’t done a decent film in a VERY long time.
Release: Christmas 2015
4. Macbeth
Another year, another adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s great tales. It’s hard to keep count of how many adaptations of Macbeth there has been over the years, but it’s important to remind ourselves at this point that adaptation is another fancy-writey word for remake. When it comes to these sorts of remakes however, there’s always a lot less heat on them which seems strange, but it’s actually hard to find an argument against it. Everyone will have their favourite adaptations of course, and perhaps the 2015 film may make some of the lists.
Why It’s Good: We haven’t had a MacBeth film in a while, so an ‘update’ could be welcomed. Plus the terrific cast of Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Sean Harris and many more give a huge star-studded boost.
Why It’s Bad: There are just so many, it gets to a sort of ‘meh’ point where once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. Unless you’re particularly passionate about Shakespeare’s work, enough to be intrigued by another adaptation, this one may just get overlooked.
Release: Filmed, waiting for a 2015 release date.
5. Kickboxer: Vengeance
It’s a bit awkward going from a timeless classic, from one of history’s most renowned writers in William Shakespeare, to Kickboxing’s version of Rocky IV, but I’m going to give it a shot! Jean-Claude Van Damme is an ’80s action icon, that goes without syaing. With all action heroes we have that one film that, to us, defines that hero/actor. For me, Kickboxer is that Van Damme film. Everything from kicking the shit out of a tree to drunk-fighting, this film was ’80s fighting bliss, so knowing it’s being remade, sort of sucks a lot.
Why It’s Good: Van Damme is very much attached to the project and you’d like to think for that reason alone perhaps it’s in good hands. He’s not writing or directing, but you can imagine his influence is a strong one. Also Dave Bautista will star as the villainous Tong Po, which could be inspired or downright awful.
Why It’s Bad: The whole fighters-turning-into-actors thing can quite often turn out terribly. Dwayne Johnson has been a monumental success, but he was always one of the most charismatic wrestlers of his generation. Dave Bautista is no Dwayne Johnson. Add to the mix one Alain Moussi, who hasn’t had a notable role to date, as Kickboxer: Vengeance‘s lead and you have a recipe for disaster.
Release: Sometime in 2015.
6. Terminator Genisys
We all knew about Terminator Genisys, but the speed in-which it has come at us is unbelievable. One minute they were announcing the cast and the next releasing trailers; it all came out of nowhere and we didn’t have a chance to take it in. With that being said, the whole Terminator franchise is a little iffy to say the least. Terminator 3 wasn’t good and while Terminator Salvation had its moments, ultimately it was a bit of a disappointment and failed to bring back the audience. So will Terminator Genisys fair any better, which takes on the ‘re-imagining’ tag-line of the remake genre? Probably not, but it’s only fair to remain open about it.
Why It’s Good: Guys, Arnie’s back! Arnie is frigging back!
Why It’s Bad: Apart from the diabolical sounding premise (Emilia Clarke calling Arnie’s Terminator “Pops”), can anyone name me a good Jai Courtney film?
Release: July 2015
7. Mad Max: Fury Road
The man of the original Mad Max trilogy is bringing his own re-imagining to the big screen, and he’s got Tom Hardy with him. In theory, that sounds great. You’d like to think the crazy mind who gave us the eponymous character in the first place would have something rather spectacular in mind with better ways of telling his original story, and you can certainly see Tom Hardy channelling the craziness of the iconic character that brought Mel Gibson worldwide fame.
Why It’s Good: A solid cast with Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult. The story looks set to follow the same original premise but played out in a completely different way, which is probably the best thing you can do with a much loved cult-classic like Mad Max.
Why It’s Bad: From the trailer, you have absolutely no idea what’s going on and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looks far too glamorous for someone living in a post-apocalyptic sort of world and, quite frankly, the SFX look nuts.
Release: May 2015
8. The Raid
The big one on the list and here’s why. If you haven’t seen The Raid, then watch it. Arguably one of the greatest martial arts film you will ever see, you’d be hard to come by another modern martial arts film that’s better than it (apart from the equally superb The Raid 2). A bold statement, yes, but one The Raid fans would stand by. It was exciting, clever, and has one of the greatest fight scenes ever in film, one that breaks all codes and conventions that we’ve been brought up on. Being in Indonesian and with subtitles however, of course Hollywood were going to try and get their hands on it and they have done just that. The Raid director Gareth Evans has given his blessing towards the film and on his part that’s probably wise, here’s why:
Why It’s Good: Flop or not, The Raid‘s remake will encourage more people to seek out the original to compare the two, to see how it has been done before and how it differs. That means the remake is helping open up a larger audience than ever before to go and see the original. It’s great, and free publicity, and that can only lead to good things.
Why It’s Bad: Try and think about how many decent foreign language films Hollywood has successfully remade. Spike Lee‘s recent Oldboy went down as well as expected. Hollywood’s big budget take on Battle Royale was financially successfully, yes, but the Hunger Games just doesn’t live up (oh no he didn’t!). Hollywood tends to be afraid to pack the same punch their overseas contemporaries do. We’re living in a PG-13 generation, because that’s where the money is at for execs and ultimately that’s what they want right now. Also Taylor Kitsch is set to be the lead for The Raid: Hollywood (working title from yours truly), and you can imagine what sort of film we’re likely to get.
Release: 2015 (no month set).
Which of these remakes are you most excited to see? Or did a particular remake you’re excited for not make the list? Let us know in the comment box.
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