Klatu Barada… Poster: The Day The Earth Stood Still Banner

Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on June 24, 2008

That title is really just me trying to reach out to all of you and let you know that I have, in fact, seen the original 1951 version of The Day the Earth Stood Still. I have also seen its not-so-distant cousin Stranger from Venus (also known as Immediate Disaster). That is why when I say that I am just a little bit nervous about Keanu Reeves starring in the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still, there is something more behind that feeling than just my usual brand of cynicism. For some reason I just don’t see Keanu pulling off the role of Klaatu, which was originally played wonderfully by Michael Rennie.

Yet despite my reservations about the soon to be surfer boy space traveler, I am interested to see a modern take on the classic, because as you know, special effects have come along way from what they were in 1951. And for those not following along, The Day the Earth Stood Still is the story of a stranger from another planet who is sent down to Earth to warn humanity that all of the hydrogen bomb building, the violence and the politics could lead to the rest of the universe wiping out the planet. It is a story wrought with religious allegory and political relevance, and that was in the years following World War II — I can only imagine what they will come up with for this new version. That said, I have two thoughts: one is that I hope that while the message is there, the film stays away from being too preachy. Secondly, I would like to see Al Gore play Gort. That could be fun.

Anyway, I tell you that story to tell you this one: The folks over at Film1.nl, who seem to have found the 2008 Cinema Expo amongst all the other fun things one could do in Amsterdam, have uncovered the first piece of banner art for the film, which can be seen below:

The film will also star Jennifer Connelly in the role of Helen, which was originally played by Patricia Neal. Kathy Bates, John Cleese and Will Smith’s son Jaden will also star. It is being directed by Scott Derrickson, who previously brought us The Exorcism of Emily Rose. The Day the Earth Stood still is to be released by 20th Century Fox on December 12, 2008.

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