‘An American Werewolf’ Goes To The Weinstein Company

Posted by Rob Hunter (rob@filmschoolrejects.com) on June 30, 2009

americanwerewolfremake

It’s not new news that John Landis’ classic An American Werewolf In London is on track for a remake. We’ve known for a while that some foolish production company would be bank-rolling it even though common wisdom says it’s going to suck. (Or bite.) But who in Hollywood would be stupid and/or egotistical enough to believe a remake could improve upon (or even replicate) the original’s perfect hybrid of horror and humor? Who?!?

BloodyDisgusting reported over the weekend that Landis has sold the remake rights to The Weinstein Company’s Dimension Films. Cue groans from film-lovers around the world.

I’m not against remakes in general… if a film can be improved in some way then I say go for it. If it fails, the original is still available. But what can be made better here? As I said above the movie is a near-perfect mix of humor and horror. The acting from David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, and Griffin Dunne (hilarious) is fantastic. The effects by Rick Baker are incredible even today. The machine gun-toting Nazi zombies are weird and freaky as hell. What can be improved here? They already tried a very loose sequel and look how that turned out.

If there’s any hope to the story it rests with the producers Bryan and Sean Furst. Their most recent film is the very impressive looking Daybreakers, and their past roster includes some quality indie films like First Snow, The Matador, and The Cooler. Is that enough to save this project from certain doom? Probably not.

Can a remake improve on the original at all?

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PHiL

Oh dear god! Please don't let Harvey NEAR that editting room or else we'll get something like American Werewolf in Paris!

JuggaloFam

I dont know why they waste there time, top with the remakes, if they need to remake somethin, why not do somthin that was in black and white like the first horror movies ever or somthin, but any way I agree with phil, that dude needs to get his hands cut off so he doesnt ruin this movie.

JDNobody

This is only my second post on your site (great site by the way)...I really don't understand why Landis would sell this off. Does he really need the money? I know that he's only really been directing some tv stuff as of late, but really? Why? You would think that with the sequal and the track record of "remakes" he would want to keep this close to his heart. And you are right...how can you improve on the visual fx? There are only a few films that you can say they still stand up today and personally for me...this is one of them.

I hope this doesn't happen.

AngryBroomstick

I hope the remake fails miserably.

‘An American Werewolf’ Goes To The Weinstein Company

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