ROTTEN TOMATOES: Lions Gate moving ahead on Scanners remake; Cronenberg not thrilled

Lions Gate moving ahead on Scanners remake; Cronenberg not thrilled

by Scott Weinberg | November 29, 2004

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Moviehole shares some interesting news and insight regarding the potential remake of David Cronenberg's cult classic "Scanners": "Artisan announced their interest to redo the film in 2002, but now that Lions Gate has taken over the company – it's their baby. Pierre David, René Malo and Clark Peterson will serve as producers on the film. Cronenberg’s not keen on the idea saying previously that 'I'd prefer that they not [revisit my earlier work].'"

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(1-3 of 3 posts) | Reply

chazbow writes:
on Nov 30 2004 05:13 AM

[b]A bad idea[/b]
I have a feeling this will be awful just like the totally unecessary remake of "Dawn of the Dead." Like most of today's movies, I'll bet it will be dumbed-down and watered-down. Besides, nobody could be as good a Darryl Revok as Michael Ironside.

(Reply to this)

Knelt writes:
on Nov 30 2004 11:25 AM

In reply to this comment (#818253)
[b]There have been worse ideas[/b]
I would generally agree, and definitely agree about the Dawn of the Dead thing, but Scanners was Cronenberg's weakest film by far. Other than the performance by Ironside and one spectacular exploding head scene, nothing else about the film really worked. Let them remake it. The worst they can do is make it as bad as it was in the first place.

(Reply to this)

Von Bruno writes:
on Dec 01 2004 11:19 AM

[b]About Time![/b]
I really enjoyed Cronenberg's film "Scanners" when it came out (1981) and recently purchased the dvd. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the movie holds up pretty well. I agree with the previous two posters in that Michael Ironside was the standout performer with Patrick McGoohan disappointing and docile in his role.

I disagree that this motion picture ought not be remade. In fact, I believe this is the perfect candidate for a redo. The premise is interesting and compelling while the original production was heavily flawed. Stephen Lack ("Cameron Vale") was absolutely dreadful as the heroic lead. The guy was never able to rise above "weak as wet toast" status.

With a good, strong "A" or "B" list director committed to remaining true to the spirit of the original would, in my opion, have this project hitting gold.

(Reply to this)