First Look
The Day the Earth Stood Still Teaser Trailer… Dude
Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on July 4, 2008
Why do I still get the feeling that Keanu Reeves is going to make a lackluster Klaatu in the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still? For some reason I just don’t buy him as an alien lifeform sent to warn us of Earth’s impending destruction — there is something just too nonchalant about him. Either way, he is in it, and the first trailer, which is currently playing in front of Hancock, has hit the web via Filmweb.pl. Check it out below.
Watch the teaser for The Day the Earth Stood Still:
Aside from the Keanu Reeves factor that I mentioned earlier, this film looks very interesting. I must say that while I remain skeptical, as any fan of the 1951 version should be, I will say that the potential for an awesome modern remake is there. This is one of those classics that could be enhanced by updated special effects. As well, it could very well have a relevant message. But we shall see how it goes — I don’t want to jump the gun and say that it looks like a winner just yet.
The Day the Earth Stood Still is directed by Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose) and stars Keanu Reeves as Klaatu, a mysterious man from another world, sent to warn Earth’s population that their destructive ways could lead to an attack from civilizations on other planets. As the government tries to sort things out, a woman (Jennifer Connelly) and her step-son (Jaden Smith) get caught up in the mission and ultimately learn the ramifications of this so-called “friend to Earth.” It will hit theaters on December 12, 2008.
The trailer can be seen in high definition over at Apple.com.
What do you think of the first trailer?
Read more articles by Neil Miller
15 Comments
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:10 pm
The trailer is down. Can’t view it.
July 3rd, 2008 at 6:35 pm
You can’t imagine Keanu Reeves as an awkward, stilted humanoid that speaks in stiff sentences and can’t interact with people? Try harder.
July 4th, 2008 at 3:05 am
There is an official website here is the link:
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/thedaytheearthstoodstill/large.html
July 4th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I think this looks pretty sweet…
or as Keanu would say:
“whoa… what?”
July 4th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I agree with Cole. This is the perfect role for Keanu
July 4th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I think it’s appropriate that it plays in front of Hancock…. which also sucked.
July 4th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
People love to knock Keanu… but Cole’s right, even though he was being sarcastic. All of Keanu’s negative acting traits become positives in this role.
And Keanu aside, the trailer looks pretty impressive.
July 4th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
i hate that they are remaking this film
July 4th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I dunno, this may seem like a role perfect for Keanu–but I still think he should just do Johnny Pneumonic 2.
July 4th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Another world destruction film.
Shit I’ll just watch the fake news for that.
July 5th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
i am in agreece with daniel herrera
July 5th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Wow, I don’t remember that much action in the first movie, which was amazing. I think we have here yet another remake that becomes, alas, a marketing ploy for CGI effects and a moody soundtrack, plus Jennifer Connely’s boobs. I’d rather a Johnny Pnemonic 2 as well.
July 13th, 2008 at 9:12 am
I find it hard to believe that a man of integrity, as Mr.Reeves seems to be, would would take on a remake of such an astounding classic film if it weren’t a worthy project. Look closer, kids. Writer, director, supporting cast and staff, even release date; these are the indicators to look for. I’ll go for sure.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I’ve already exhausted comments on other boards regarding this. I agree with anyone who said the original should not have been tampered with. Fox made sure they waited until after Robert Wise was dead, because he held certain rights regarding the film, as he did with many of his films, and they couldn’t touch it to make a quick buck for Fox. This is aimed for the CGI audience — no script, no real character interplay, no nuance, no subtleties — I mean, I could go on. The original was never meant to be an action flick and wasn’t, but there was something for everyone because of it’s intelligence and maturity. You could talk about the original forever in regards to what does it all mean, but it’s central message is as timely today as it was then.
But if this was like the original, complete with intelligent scripting, it would be hard for Reeves to pull this off. But, as I said elsewhere, it really doesn’t matter who the actors are because this is not going to be about acting abilities — at least not from what I’ve seen in the trailer. You could actually use MiniMe as Klaatu — it simply doesn’t matter.
I wish I was wrong, but when it comes to re-makes, especially of classic sci-fi films, it’s been extremely disappointing. They remind me of romance novels — after you’ve read a few all the characters all look alike and the stories become indistinguishable from book to book. Yes, I went through a one-year period of romance novels and got it out of my system.
I hear next up for modern Hollywood botch-up re-make is “Forbidden Planet.”
The good news about all this: The 1951 TDTESS is on many Top 10 lists and most important basic classics to watch or own, and it will most likely remain there, so it’s all good.
July 25th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
http://www.myspace.com/keanureevesklaatu