Floating around the webs the last day or two is the news that Gore Verbinski (of Pirates notoriety) is slated to direct another film version of the popular board game, “Clue.” My first thought (as usual when it comes to remakes) was “why”? The 1985 version starring Tim Curry and whole slew of other recognizable faces was terrific and funny as hell; still is. It was also innovative with the different endings depending upon which theater chain you saw it at. So why re-do this at all?
So reading further into it, I do like the idea of where this board game is expanding. According to Verbinsky’s label, Blind Wink, the film will be a “global thriller and transmedia event that uses deductive reasoning as its storytelling engine.” OK, that’s interesting. So instead of accusing Miss Scarlet of doing it in the conservatory with the lead pipe, maybe it will be a cyber hunt for Col. Dijon who used serin nerve gas in Sudan.
Hey, if you’re going to redo a film, why not expand the hell out it and make it something grander and more intricate. The comedy angle was done, now let’s try a thriller and not confine it to a single household. Sounds like an interesting idea to me.
While I’m not a huge Verbinski fan, I can see his budget and access to anything he wants a real plus in this latest endeavor. It will be years before this thing comes to fruition, but as it gets closer I’ll have my ears to the rail to keep tabs on the production.
I hope is ok, at least
There was a spoof on “Clue” back around the year “Close Encounters” came out. I don’t remember the name of the film but it was a definitely a spoof of the “Clue” game.
Neil Simon’s Murder by Death? It was more of a spoof of detective/mystery films in general.
Murder by Death. heh. Despite Peter Sellers’ attempts, I didn’t think that moie was very good (though it’s been YEARS since I saw it last). But that definitely could be the movie 790 is talking about. It’s a bunch of odd characters and they’re all trapped in a house for a dinner party and Peter Falk is in the Tim Curry role. I can definitely see the similarities between that and Clue.
Its not just spoofing murder mystery films, but the books they are based off of as well. Almost every character in the film is ripping on noted mystery detectives (Charlie Chan, Sam Spade, Nick and Nora Charles, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple are all represented).
Plus Truman Capote scared the shit out of me in that movie when I was a kid.
I loved Clue and I really don’t see the point in remaking it. But then if it has to be remade, then why not turn it into a global thriller? Of course, I’d have more faith in the project if Gore Verbinski wasn’t involved.