Earlier this month, it was confirmed that Bryan Singer would be be producing and directing a feature-length movie based on the old Battlestar Galactica TV show (Read: Bryan Singer To Make Another Run At “˜Battlestar Galactica’). Now comes word that Singer is piling projects on to his plate wit the announcement that he is also developing a remake of the 1981 film Excalibur for Warner Brothers. Just the same as with the the Galactica project, Singer will produce the remake, with the opportunity to direct on the table.
The film will be another one of the countless takes on the tale of King Arthur, the legendary sword set in stone, the love affair between his wife Guenevere and Sir Lancelot, the Knights of the Round Table and their quest for the fabled Holy Grail, and the arrival of Arthur’s evil son Mordred, birthed by his half-sister, Morgana. All of this overseen by the powerful wizard Merlin.
The report seems to state that this is a remake of the ’81 movie, as stated above, but considering how old the core story is and how many times it’s been done, it’s hard to really call it a remake unless it’s planning on using the exact same structure as that movie. If they do their own this with said core, then this is really just a whole new take on the tale and not really a remake.
Bryan Singer has always been the type of film maker who takes on one project and gives it all of his attention. With the announcement of this remake of Excalibur, he’s starting to sound a lot more like Guillermo del Toro, with multiple directorial and producing projects lining up at his door. To go along with this and Battlestar Galactica, he has a new take on Jack and the Beanstalk called Jack the Giant Killer that he’s expected to direct next, and even swirling rumors of a possible return to the world of X-Men in some kind of fashion.
[Source: Variety]
I know I’m going to sound like a hater here, and I kind of apologize for that in advance. But I’m definitely not a fan of Bryan Singer’s filmmaking, and have yet to see him create anything with any actual substance.
Add to this the fact that I’ve never seen a really good, engaging film version of the King Arthur legend — besides Disney’s pretty decent Sword in the Stone, have any of the movies been that good? — and I’m not really sensing a recipe for success here.
Now, if Del Toro were taking on the project, I might be a bit more excited. And, hey, if Hellboy made an appearance during the third act… (I kid, I kid…)
Comment by Doc Atomic — August 22, 2009 @ 9:05 pm
Excalibur is one of my all time favorite films.
I would rather no one ever touched it.
Comment by Jerry — August 22, 2009 @ 9:18 pm
@Doc Atomic
Not even The Usual Suspects?
Comment by The Movie God — August 23, 2009 @ 5:37 pm
@The Movie God
Okay, you’ve got me. Good point. Usual Suspects holds up nicely — I enjoyed that film a lot. Makes me really wonder, though, what happened later in Singer’s career. Maybe it’s telling that Usual Suspects features no CGI (that I can recall, anyway). Perhaps Singer only goes to hell when he’s got a computer to take him there.
I should also say, for the record, that I never saw Apt Pupil. I’ve heard generally good things about it…
Comment by Doc Atomic — August 23, 2009 @ 6:41 pm
His work quality has gone downward since Suspects, whether you love the superhero stuff or hate it — it’s not nearly as good.
I can understand what you’re saying. He’s not directing this one…not yet anyway.
Still a chance someone with more of a knack for fantasy is brought in.
Comment by The Movie God — August 24, 2009 @ 12:53 am
Excalibur, Battlestar Galactica and Superman all have one thing in common. They weren’t broken to begin with. No remakes necessary.
Comment by Devon — August 24, 2009 @ 1:19 pm