We say it often here, and we’ll say it again: most rumors aren’t worth even reading, let alone covering. But when a rumor has any kind of a backing or a solid inside source, and when it involves something one simply can’t ignore, then we shall bring it to your eyes.
Cinema Blend has word from a source that they have at Universal Pictures that the studio is “strongly” considering the possibility of remaking Steven Spielberg‘s classic 1975 Great White shark movie, Jaws, and bathing it in 3D for today’s audiences. The logic here is that everything is in 3D these days, and everything is being remade, so the smartest way for them to make a ton of money is to remake their classics with modern technologies. The same source even said that Universal was looking at actors like Tracy Morgan for the role of Hooper, once played by Richard Dreyfus.
If the very whisper of that paragraph doesn’t lead you break at least one thing in your general vicinity, than I would question your mental status as a movie fan.
There’s a select few classic films where even mentioning a proposed remake could set fans off on a violent rampage. Casablanca, Citizen Kane, The Godfather, You Got Served — these are just a few. Another one would absolutely be Jaws, which is unquestionably one of the greatest movies ever made.
Again, this is a full-on rumor, and with all the luck in the world, it will stay just that forever and ever. But because it’s Jaws, and because of how little respect Hollywood has for its classics these days, you can’t help but swallow hard knowing this is by no means an impossible future occurrence.
Even if they DID remake Jaws, the very LEAST they could do is actually try. Give me someone like Paul Giamatti in the role of Hooper — maybe Harrison Ford as Brody and Clint Eastwood as Quint. Then I may be interested enough to see what you do. Bring us Jaws 3-D (Yes…Again) with Morgan as Hooper, Matt Damon as Chief, and Queen Latifah as Quint, then you will likely have some major backlash to deal with.
Martin, it’s all psychological. You yell sequel, everybody says, “Huh? What?” You yell Tracy Morgan, we’ve got a panic on our hands on the Fourth of July.
Comment by Captain Karl — February 11, 2010 @ 7:14 am
The worst thing about this possibility is not Tracy Morgan. It’s not the 3D aspect. It’s not the obvious money-grubbing Hollywood greed that is fueling it.
The worst part is that what made Jaws so good was the tension. It was slow, and not a lot happened on screen for most of the film. The technical problems with Bruce actually led Spielberg to stumble on one of the best parts of the movie: we rarely see the shark. Most of what we get are the reactions of people around it, and how they deal with the unknown. That absence of visuals, coupled with the overwhelming threat of danger, is what drew audiences in. It’s what kept people out of the water for years. Hell, I know people who still hesitate to go into the ocean, because of this movie.
With a remake, that will all be lost. Today’s big-budget audiences expect thrills, they demand action. And Hollywood will pander to them at the expense of taking a real shot at doing this remake right. The shark will be in every shot, it will be over the top, and it will probably attack people in their beds, miles from the coast.
On top of that, who could honestly play Quint after Robert Shaw? Who would willingly step into that role, after he played it to complete perfection?
There are few things in movies that are more unsettling than Robert Shaw’s Quint detailing the sinking of the Indianapolis, with that half-grin on his face as he goes over the terror and blood in a deadpan voice.
And that won’t happen again. If, by some chance, this gets the green light, I’ll not watch it. I’ll stay home on opening night, watching my copy of the original, and weep a little for what Hollywood is doing to our movies.
Comment by James — February 11, 2010 @ 8:45 am
Oh no!!! Back to the Future II predicted this!
Comment by Schutzenegger — February 11, 2010 @ 10:58 am
This is a TRAVESTY of an idea!
Comment by Luke — February 15, 2010 @ 12:55 am
i agree that if they remade jaws it be nothing to the original, but we have to think of the younger audience, and what they want out of a film, jaws is a classic film, and no shark film could beat it, but with all the special effects they have now, it will bring in an audience for all the younger people
Comment by colleen — December 18, 2010 @ 12:37 pm