Is This The Right Cast For The ‘Let The Right One In’ Remake?

Posted by Rob Hunter (rob@filmschoolrejects.com) on October 3, 2009

The inevitable US remake of the Swedish chiller Let The Right One In has taken a big step closer to production with the announcement of its three principle cast members. The original film is a dark coming-of-age story about a lonely little boy named Oskar who has a crush on the girl next door.  The girl’s name is Eli and she happens to be a vampire. Eli’s human familiar is an adult male who helps procure her food and transport her around when necessary. It’s a beautiful film filled with stunning visuals and performances as well moments of pure tenderness and brutal violence. It can only be improved by a Hollywood remake, right?

The US version is retitled to Let Me In (reportedly the title on the original novel) and will be directed by Cloverfield’s Matt Reeves, so expect the camera to be pointed in the wrong direction for half the film. Per Variety, one veteran actor and two fresh faces have been announced to star. Richard Jenkins will portray the vampire’s assistant, Kodi Smit-Mcphee will play Oskar, and Chloe Moretz will bring the vampire Eli to life. I’m guessing the character names will change of course. Jenkins is fantastic in everything so I expect nothing less here, and the role actually has potential to be truly heartfelt and emotional. Smit-Mcphee hasn’t yet had much exposure, but he’ll next be seen walking next to Viggo Mortensen in The Road. Moretz has already shown herself to be a good little actress in this summer’s 500 Days of Summer and will next be seen in the very fun looking and very violent Kick-Ass. And remember, this is a Hollywood remake so don’t expect to see Moretz’s hairy vagina on the big screen. (Watch the original movie before calling me a pervert).

Production on the remake begins shortly with a 2010 scheduled release. One side note about the Variety story, it refers to the Jenkins role as “the girl’s vampire-hunting guardian.” So either Variety has gotten a look at the remake’s script and there has been some major changes from the original… or they’re just morons. I lean towards the latter.

What do you think of this cast? Do they make the remake more palatable for you?

Read more articles by Rob Hunter