Michael V. Brown at 2011-01-20 14:58:56:

Why on earth can't one of the hundreds, maybe thousands of good scripts in Hollywood get made into a film. Execs favor a "sure" buck over good story telling. I'm tired of sequels. It's like eating a steak at the same place for years. After a while it's just boring.

Ferdinand at 2011-01-20 15:16:25:

Wow it's sad Hollywood execs cannot come up with something original.

Don't mess with a good thing. The Wild Bunch and Lethal Weapon should not be touched. I've never heard of True Grit until the Coen Brothers remade it, but the other two... that's just blasphemy.

What's next Chinatown and Casablanca?

Scott at 2011-01-20 15:18:27:

Alex and Michael, you can find many GITS posts where I convey your same sentiments. Sadly the only way Hollywood will redirect their obsession with pre-branded brands is if those titles fail financially and original movies succeed. The fact Inception, Despicable Me, and The Town, among others, did well in 2010 is a good sign and there were rumblings among some studio execs seeking more original material. But Hollywood will almost always take the safe bet. And in this era of so much competition for consumer dollars, anything with any brand recognition is perceived as a plus because - the thinking goes - that helps win the marketing wars.

Scott at 2011-01-20 15:19:15:

@Ferdinand: My comment crossed paths with yours. As noted in my response, I agree with your thoughts and feelings.

Steve Bedford at 2011-01-20 15:29:23:

This is just sad. Haven't seen Wild Bunch so I can't speak to that, but Lethal Weapon should not be remade. The original is great, but why? Why do they have to do this kind of crap? I know it is a pre-sold property, but seriously?!

I really hope that this remake engine doesn't run long enough that they have to remake the remakes because they have already remade all the originals.

If these do get remade, I hope they go down in flames, maybe then Hollywood execs will commit to original ideas!

Michael V. Brown at 2011-01-21 01:58:50:

@Scott, I know its true that branding gives an advantage. It really hit me the other day when I read an article about James Cameron knocking the "Battleship" movie. Anything with branding has a leg up...but really? A Battleship movie? Hey, if it is any good then great! It does make me happy to see all those great films making it, but the writers/directors are the brand there. I'm excited for more from them. Also: Elysium, Source Code...love the new wave of sci-fi coming.