Ray Talks Westworld Remake
Writer/director Billy Ray told SCI FI Wire that he's currently writing the script for a new version of the SF film Westworld for Warner Brothers, but added that he may not direct it. "There is no director attached," Ray (Shattered Glass) said in an e-mail interview to promote the DVD of his film Breach. "I would resist the idea of directing it myself, not that they've offered it to me, because I don't want the pressure of that kind of a budget sitting on my shoulders."
Michael Crichton wrote and directed the original film, which was released in 1973 and starred Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin and James Brolin. The futuristic drama cast Benjamin and Brolin as visitors to an amusement park where visitors can play out entertainment fantasies with the help of virtual reality and robots. The trouble starts when the robots begin to fight back.
"I love the basic idea of the movie, which is that our amusements can kill us," Ray said. "I also think the movie provides a great platform for exploring how sometimes machines can behave like humans while humans can sometimes behave like machines."
Ray said he'd love to speak with Crichton at some point. "My understanding is that he was offered the chance to do the first draft of this remake a few years ago, and his response was, 'I already remade that movie; the remake was called Jurassic Park,'" Ray said. "In many ways, he was right."
There is potential for suspense and extreme bloodiness. My cynical mind is thinking it would just end up being a cross between "The Terminator" and "Predator". The suits will like it because they can propose how to rip off both movies and "make it new".
I would actually like to see a remake of "Logan's Run" that had high production values and was actually BASED ON THE BOOK.
I thought the Original Westworld was an interesting movie, so I will be interested to see what they do with the remake.
Quote from: jedijeff on June 07, 2007, 08:32:05 PM
I thought the Original Westworld was an interesting movie, so I will be interested to see what they do with the remake.
Definitely an interesting concept. Would love to see either J.J. Abrams or Quentin Tarentino take it on. Or maybe this guy:
http://www.robotbastard.com/movies/index.html
I think Westworld has the potential to make an excellent remake but knowing the Hollywood types I will reserve judgment until it's released.
Kevin
This movie was one of my all time faves as a young man. Robots, guns, and lots of bionic men.
Pretty cool.
What they come up with now will be interesting!
This has come back around and a pilot for an ongoing series has been ordered by HBO, although I haven't been able to find a premiere date. Executive produced by J.J. Abrahms! I'm excited!
http://www.avclub.com/articles/westworld-is-going-to-be-an-hbo-show-now,102339/ (http://www.avclub.com/articles/westworld-is-going-to-be-an-hbo-show-now,102339/)
This is awesome news.
Great news! Brynner has some big shoes here that will be tough to fill. Maybe Vin Diesel? Or that guy who played Locke in Lost.
It will be interesting to see how they adapt the idea too an ongoing series. They obviously can't have the androids going crazy every week!
I'd be interested to see someone come up with something new. Lazy Hollywood yet again.