Unnecessary Remake: Chris Rock Brings ‘Death at a Funeral’ To America

Posted by Rob Hunter (rob@filmschoolrejects.com) on November 8, 2008

Chris Rock

Death at a FuneralChris Rock is writing and starring in a remake of the 2007 British comedy, Death at a Funeral. A film that came out just last year, was directed by an American (Frank Oz), had pretty good exposure here in the US, and is already in English. Per Variety:

Plan is for an ensemble comedy about a funeral ceremony that leads to the digging up of shocking family secrets, as well as misplaced cadavers and indecent exposure. While the original was set in Britain, the new film will take place in an urban American setting.

Not surprisingly, this sounds like a bad idea, but probably not for the reason you think. I don’t have a problem with remakes. People complain that they ruin the original, but that’s not true… the original film is still available for you to watch and enjoy whenever you choose. This is a bad idea because Chris Rock is no good as a feature film star. Cameos sure, voice work in animated films okay, but starring roles? He’s a terrible actor, and his movies make no money. Look at the last four movies where he played a major role… I Think I Love My Wife, Head of State, Bad Company, Down to Earth… all shitty bombs. Rock should stick to smaller roles and stand-up.

Even aside from Rock’s acting abilities, you just don’t see a lot of British movies get remade in the US. TV shows are imported all the time, with varying degrees of success, but movies? There have been remakes of older British films like Get Carter and The Italian Job, but why remake a recent one? They’re usually already visible to American film-goers and they’re already in English!

Do you care about this remake? Do you think Chris Rock can act?


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  • RandomMan Lives
    Why do Americans have to remake movies from other countries? You don't see a French remake of The Terminator or a German Wayne's World. It's like saying whatever film exists Americans would make it better and that's just plain insulting.
  • Actually, we did see a Singaporian remake of The Terminator.

    And. It. Was. Awesome.

    "That's my buddy!"

    Oh, and Americans are insultingly hubristic. Sorry about that, but rest assured, most of us with common sense in the film community are scratching our heads over this one (and most foreign remakes).
  • TL
    When is Chris Rock going to stop trying to be a movie star?
    His movies are terrible.
  • TBITS
    As long as Alan Tudyk is in it and plays the exact same role... otherwise WTF the movie came out last year! Have an original thought for once.
  • In other news, I'll be remaking Zack and Miri Make a Porno.
  • LH
    I for one loved the original, I dont know how this will go, but yea I am sure it will get people to watch the original since it is so recent and in ENGLISH...I'll probably check it out if it ever hits theaters just because I loved the original so much.
  • doctorwho904
    WTF OK OK PLZ EVERY AMERICAN IN HOLLYWOOD STOP RIPPING OF EVERYTHING BRITSH . i WAS APAULED TAT YOU WOULD REMAKE LIFE ON MARS . NOW DEATH AT A FUNERAL ! COME UP WITH YOUR OWN IDEA'S I SEAR IM GOING TO SHOOT MYSELF IF I SEE THE DAY THAT THEY COME OUT WITH A AMERICAN VERSON OF DOCTOR WHO OR NOT GOING OUT ! OR TOP GEAR
  • Syd S
    Lately (I'm talking late 90's onward) America, though it has made many quality movies in the past, cannot come up with an original thought. It seems as though more than ninety percent of American movies are either remakes, sequels, or based on books, or some conglomeration of the three, and though some of these turn out very, very well it's time to put some creativity into the movie industry.
    Speaking of this specific movie, I won't be seeing the remake as I loved the original, but I think one of their motivations is that Americans don't like seeing movies that have characters who speak in a different language or with a different accent. (Although we are getting better about it, I believe)
  • horribel film to be remake. loved the original i would actually pay to see it if peter dinkladge is in it again. dude was hilarious beyond words.
    as for chris rock i dont see him as a leading man at all. Someone tell me why he hasnt done a concert film. ala eddie murphy delirous and richard pryor . the dude gots the goods and seems like a logical step in a good directioni for him.
  • Aleric
    BOMB

    Nuff said.
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