After Smashing with The Hulk, Leterrier will Clash with the Titans
Posted by Dr. Cole Abaius (cole.abaius@filmschoolrejects.com) on June 28, 2008
We get it. You pop out a blockbuster movie that banks at the box office and announce your next project within a week or two. It’s good marketing, and it’s quickly becoming the trend among the growing number of directors attached to major summer movies.
So it came as no surprise to hear from First Showing that The Incredible Hulk director, Louis Leterrier, is moving on to his next project, a remake of the classic Clash of the Titans, which was made famous by Ray Harryhausen’s innovative stop-motion animations and our over-active imaginations.
I couldn’t be more excited for a remake like this. My first thought was, “Another piece of my childhood about to be slaughtered!” My second thought was, “Man, I could really go for some chili dogs right now.” Give me a break – I hadn’t eaten all day, and who can’t resist a good chili dog? Exactly.
But my third thought was, “You know, this thing could actually be amazing.”
At its core, Clash is just a classic mythic tale. The story of Perseus killing Medusa and the rest of his quest is so prevalent in culture that Leterrier could have just created an entirely new movie concept had Harryhausen and Clash director Desmond Davis not made such an iconic film.
But they did, and that’s why my only suggestion on how to make this movie brilliant is to bring Harryhausen on as a consultant. How awesome would that be? The man is turning 88 years old tomorrow, and he is still cranking out great content despite Clash of the Titans being is last feature film. I realize that Leterrier in company can’t possibly vie for old school claymation techniques, but even though Harryhausen is known for working and pioneering that particular oeuvre, his imagination is limitless and could provide some incredible insight to how to redo this bad boy.
I personally agree with Alex from First Showing when he says he loves everything about the original including that damned metallic owl Bubo. He grows on you. So as odd as it sounds, Leterrier will have fans to placate while shepherding this bad boy along.
I’ll be keeping an eye on this one until I’m in full geek out mode, and yes, you can kick my ass later for using the word ‘oeuvre’ on FSR.
Can Leterrier pull off remaking this eclectic cult icon?
Read more articles by Dr. Cole Abaius
