‘They Live’ Again As John Carpenter Remake Moves Forward

Posted by Rob Hunter (rob@filmschoolrejects.com) on December 4, 2008

To paraphrase They Live’s main character, Nada, Hollywood has come to have original ideas and make movies… and they’re all out of original ideas. Which is why the remake of They Live is currently gathering momentum at Universal. THR is reporting that the studio alongside Strike Entertainment is in the process of acquiring the rights with plans for John Carpenter to stay on as executive producer only.

I realize it’s a cliche at this point, but a remake of They Live is a stupid idea. For one thing, the movie was not a commercially popular film, although over time it has come to recognized as a cult classic with quote-worthy lines and whole scenes recreated on South Park. More importantly, the movie was relevant to the time, to the Ronald Reagan era of the societal elite and the parasitical upper class, to the untrustworthy politicians and crass commercialism shoved down consumers throats day and night. Today’s America no longer has those problems.

I kid, but even if a remake of They Live can recreate the theme of social awareness and paranoia, it will most likely fail at capturing the charm of the original. Would they keep the five and a half minute alley fight? Probably not. Who could possibly fill Roddy Piper’s shoes (or kilt?) And don’t say Dwayne Johnson.

And finally, as sad as this news is, it’s the final line of THR’s report that depresses the most. “Strike is also working on a remake of Carpenter’s The Thing.” Yeah, we already knew it was coming, but did they have to remind us?

What do you think of a They Live remake? Who should play Nada?

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ilryn

The first film caught on because a lot of different factors came into fruition but come on, the acting is terrible and the FX are garbage. i love the movie but its a gluity pleasure ...whats next "Plan 9" or "Mac and Me"? but i think it would be cool if they got Lebron to play the lead though.

Alericc

I also liked the movie and was one of the few people I know to actually see it in a movie theater and att he time it was released.

Thing is I am kind of torn here, while it could be remade with a better script and talented writers, will they even put that much effort into the project? If they simply grab "insert B-rated movie star here" into the title roles and go cheap on the FX then it will flop harder than a Madonna movie.

Nevernude

How about this for idea Hollywood....if the new trend is to remake classics...why dont you remake...
Citizen Kane, The Godfather 1,2 and 3, Bladerunner, Gone With The Wind, Casablanca, The Shawshank Redemption, Leon The Professional, All 6 star wars...yes remake them muthafucka! REMAKE THEM ALL YOU F*CKING ARSEHOLES!

toorandom

I think a remake would be great for this film. I remember watching this movie for a Communication class I was taking in my senior year. I think a lot of things in this film are more relevant today especially with the amount of advertising we are enduring in our lives. It will be interesting to see if they make it a little MINORITY REPORTish.

Meli

I'm against this remake (like most) however if it must be done I hope they take it seriously enough to get a good director and a couple of bad ass actors. If they go younger generation with this movie I will be so pissed. And as much as I love him, please for the love of all that is good and holy, do not cast Sam Jackson! hehe

TL_is_now_TJL

They Live was a decent film, it made some interesting points, and it would be interesting to see them update the story (aliens controling the internet, cell phones, etc), but Hollywood has to stop these damn remakes.
But, if you are going to do a remake, There's only one guy to play Nada.

Bruce Friggin Campbell!

regularguy5mb

OK, so remaking "They LIve" makes since to me. It'll suck, but the idea makes since.

But, they want to remake "The Thing"? Seriously? Um, has no one told these morons that IT'S ALREADY A REMAKE!! A remake of a remake. That's like making a copy of a copy. This makes less since than making of movie of the Broadway musical version of "The Producers". Oh wait, it already IS a movie.

Carpenter remade "The Thing from Another World" and perfected it. Don't f#$k with perfection.

Gretchen

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Ok this isn't the greatest movie in the world, but it's one of my favorites! It was perfect as is... and I cringe to think how they'll change the aliens with today's effects. And ok, yes, Roddy Piper isn't the world's best actor, but he did a damn good job. I can't even imagine anyone else playing Nada... but given that, if there really must be a (gag) remake, yeah I could see Bruce in this role... but who would he fight on a badly-disguised gym mat in a back alley? lol

Phoghat

Keerist! Don't.

Guy

dude, what r u people talking about?! this movie couldn't have come into a remake at a more perfect time, with all the BS happening around the world with shadow governments, alien cover ups, ufo sightings, and let alone the one conspiracy that actually is that we REALLY ARE BEING CONTROLLED BY ANOTHER RACE OF BEINGS, exo-politics, come on, this movie is perfect for waking people up to the BS we are all being put through, and that fight scene should definitely be cut in half

‘They Live’ Again As John Carpenter Remake Moves Forward

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