Paramount Wants to Know The Secret of ‘NIMH’

Posted by Dr. Cole Abaius (cole.abaius@filmschoolrejects.com) on July 28, 2009

secretofNIMH

When I was young, about the age that I started tying my shoelaces for myself, I had a ritual of sorts. This ritual in two parts involved me getting sick and then watching The Secret of NIMH on VHS while laying on the floor in front of the television. I’ve probably seen it at least a dozen times and own a copy on DVD now. Essentially, it’s the filmic version of chicken pot pie for me – cinematic comfort food that always makes me feel better.

Talk about a brilliant children’s story. It’s sweet, and funny, and dark, and scary. There’s real danger and a sense of adventure with a supernatural element. It’s really a brilliant book and a brilliant movie.

Which is probably why Paramount is looking to bring Mrs. Frisby and those glowing-eyed rats of NIMH back to the big screen. According to The Hollywood Reporter, director Neil Burger is negotiating to write the script. It’s unclear as to whether he wants to direct, or if Paramount has his name on the short list for the job, but it might be a great fit considering how good The Illusionist was.

It’s also unclear as to what shape the film will take, but considering the fad of the day with children’s movies, there’s a good chance that it will blend live-action with CGI rats. Sadly, because of my intense love for the first movie, I have a feeling that I won’t be able to like this new version nearly as much as the one I grew up. However, it sounds like an interesting project that, with the right personnel behind it, could be a really magical experience.

What do you think?

Related Reading:

Comment Policy: No hate speech allowed. If you must argue, please debate intelligently. Comments containing selected keywords or outbound links will be put into moderation to help prevent spam. Film School Rejects reserves the right to delete comments and ban anyone who doesn't follow the rules. We also reserve the right to modify any curse words in your comments and make you look like an idiot. Thank You!

movielover612

So is it a remake of the original, or a threequel?

Jade

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is up on my list of favorites right alongside The Neverending Story and The Last Unicorn. Those were some of my childhood staples, like you, when I would lay on the living room floor too sick to go to school. And lucky for me, those were some magical days. I hope this movie happens and the right people put it together. I know that no matter who directs it or whether it's live action/cgi, I will still go see it!

But you know, years ago I heard a rumor about Paramount making a live action/cgi remake of The Last Unicorn and I don't know whatever happened to that. Punks like to tease me.

Loopdilou

*spluttergaspchoke* NOooooOOOoo!

And that's all I have to say about that. Of course, this could just be a knee jerk reaction to seeing my beloved childhood classic remade, but then again - my daughter's already love the original so remake away!!

Morbious Fod

I am also a fan of this movie. While it had it's goofy moments, there was a good story in there with a dose of mystery and danger. It also didn't talk down to the kids that much and gave them a bit of credit for having some intelligence. The only problem is that the makers of childrens movies today tend to believe that the kids can't handle anything more complex than a basic safe story with goofy characters galore or mind numbingly idiotic writing. I really don't want to see the G Forceification of the Nimh tale.

The only thing that gives me a glimmer of hope was the release of Caroline last year. Maybe we are moving back to point where movie makers are willing to take a chance on making a film that isn't dumbed down. Yet then again they aren't even doing that with the blockbuster fare that has been coming out the past couple of years so I am nervous about this prospect.

jcatherine

I would like to see a version that actually followed the book. Don Bluth's version was cutsey & clearly for children - the book itself had many dark undertones and warnings concerning the tampering with nature and the development of human society, social mores and individual responsibility. It had a dualistic presence: one of a simple childrens story with appealed to simpler minds of children, and another story for adults forewarning of the dangers tampering with genetics can bring. How visionary for a story written in 1971 considering we are now cloning animals and performing genetic testing.

Paramount Wants to Know The Secret of ‘NIMH’

Related Topics:

Related Reading: