I am *this close* to jumping out of my chair and running around the office telling everyone this news. Yes, I’m that excited. And why wouldn’t I be when we’re talking about some of my favourite things in the world: Anne Rice, vampires and Robert Downey Jr.?
The good people (very, very good people) at Bloody Disgusting have confirmed a scoop that Universal is planning on rebooting the long dormant and badly ended Vampire Chronicles.
The first film adaptation of Rice’s “Vampire Chronicles” came in 1994 when Neil Jordan directed Interview with the Vampire with Tom Cruise as the free wheeling, troublemaking Lestat de Lioncourt and Brad Pitt as Louis, his too-human partner. That film was a huge success thanks in part to the cast and the director but the follow up, an adaptation of my favourite novel in the series, was a disaster.
Michael Rymer’s 2002 film Queen of the Damned was a huge disappointment. Stuart Townsend simply couldn’t hold his own in the role of Lestat and though Aaliyah did her best in the role of Akasha, the film’s titular Queen, the film was an unfocused, nearly unwatchable disaster which metaphorically put the last nail in the coffin of Vampire Chronicles adaptations until, apparently, now.
It’s not surprising that Universal is looking at rebooting the franchise. With the popularity of vampires in films, television, books and permeating through culture the time to restart the franchise is in today’s culture but it’s not really clear how this will play out. With news that Robert Downey Jr. is in talks to take on the role of Lestat, I could see them returning to “The Vampire Lestat”, the novel previous to “Queen of the Damned”. This would also make the most sense since the later novels are more concerned with religion and salvation, something which may not sit well with general audiences. But perhaps they’ll simply create new stories in the universe. At the moment, it’s all very vague.
And then there is the question of where Anne Rice fits into the equation, if at all. She has, over the recent years, shied away from her vampires and re-discovered her religious roots; a trip which has resulted in a number of religiously based novels. I think it’s safe to assume she will not be involved in the adaptation process though it would be fantastic if did return.
Many questions, much to ponder but much to be happy about. Now you’ll have to excuse me, I have some running to do.
If you want to watch it onl1ne for free,...
I also cannot get to excited about this, both due to my general belief that reboots and remakes are evil until proven otherwise and the depth of the characters of each book will not translate well by anyone.
On the hand, DIE TWILIGHT DIE
I would rather see them tackle The Mayfair Witches. The first two books, at least, would make for good screen entertainment.
Comment by Michael W. May — August 14, 2009
This sounds pretty awesome to me!
Comment by Shannon the Movie Moxie — August 14, 2009
What I can’t get around is RDJ. He’s just too old for Lestat.
And I agree on the Mayfair Witches. I think that series would make for a great miniseries.
Comment by Marina Antunes — August 17, 2009
I don’t know, I guess it’s a waiting game at this point. Love to see a good version of the other two, but Interview is close to my heart – they shouldn’t mess with it.
Comment by Andrew James — August 17, 2009
“I cannot confirm or deny the rumor. I have not received official word as to the truth of it yet,” she said. “But I can say without hesitation that I love Robert Downey Jr and I think he would make a fabulous Vampire Lestat.”
She continued: “He is a major actor, a powerhouse of talent and personality, and he evinces an irrepressible and seductive charm. He would bring great energy and skill to the role. I would love to see this happen. So I hope the rumors are true.”
“Some are saying he is too old to play the part. This is absolutely not true. He is quite youthful. Besides, Lestat is a man when he is made into a vampire. A twenty year old man in the 18th century is the equivalent of an older man today. Age just shouldn’t be an issue here, not with an actor of this scope and charisma. — I’m thrilled at the prospect that this rumor might be true.”
Comment by Andrew James — August 17, 2009
And I didn’t get the sense that they intend to remake the already made films but rather to reboot the series. They still have at least 2 good books to work with that feature Lestat prominently. Admittedly, I’d love to see them leave Lestat in the background and work on either Armand or Pandora’s stories but that’s wishful thinking on my part.
And the more I think about it, the more I agree with Michael – someone should really take on the Mayfair saga. Lots of good material in there.
Comment by Marina — August 18, 2009
Comment by Sammy — November 27, 2009
Comment by Esmeralda — December 16, 2009
Comment by Marina Antunes — December 16, 2009