Strangers (D: David Fincher / W: Gillian Flynn) S: Ben Affleck - Hitchcock remake
#1
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Strangers (D: Fincher) S:Affleck
Fincher and Affleck teaming up for a remake of Hitchcock's 'Strangers on a Train'
http://deadline.com/2015/01/ben-affl...rl-1201348983/
http://deadline.com/2015/01/ben-affl...rl-1201348983/
Ben Affleck and David Fincher will re-team on a Warner Bros remake of the Hitchcock classic thriller Strangers On A Train. Gillian Flynn, who adapted her novel Gone Girl for Fincher and Affleck, is in talks to write the script. The film will be produced by Affleck under Pearl Street, the Warner Bros-based banner he runs with Matt Damon. WB’s Jon Berg is overseeing. They are calling it Strangers.
#2
Strangers (D: David Fincher / W: Gillian Flynn) S: Ben Affleck - Hitchcock remake
EXCLUSIVE: Ben Affleck and David Fincher will re-team on a Warner Bros remake of the Hitchcock classic thriller Strangers On A Train. Gillian Flynn, who adapted her novel Gone Girl for Fincher and Affleck, is in talks to write the script. The film will be produced by Affleck under Pearl Street, the Warner Bros-based banner he runs with Matt Damon. WB’s Jon Berg is overseeing. They are calling it Strangers.
Though the Hitchcock remake–a Warner Bros library title and an adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith novel–will be its basis, this film will be contemporary and redefined for the times. This one might be best titled Strangers On A Plane, as Affleck will play a variation of the role played by Farley Granger of a tennis pro who is bored with his marriage and wants to get divorced, but instead gets entwined with a wealthy socialite psycho who proposes the notion of exchanging murders. The twist here is a compelling one. Affleck will play a movie star–in the middle of a campaign for an Oscar during awards season–whose private plane breaks down and is given a ride to LA on another plane by a wealthy stranger. In Fincher’s hands, who knows how that goes, but it sure does seem like fertile ground.
The idea of a remake has been kicking around for some time, with Arnold Kopelson at one point attempting it but never getting it off the ground. This is an important get for Warner Bros, and top brass is high on the project: Affleck, Fincher and Flynn’s Gone Girl was a lucrative one for Fox and New Regency, grossing $350 million worldwide on a $60 million budget.
The project will follow the track of an express train, despite Affleck’s busy schedule. He is clearing space to shoot Strangers between directing and starring in the Dennis Lehane novel adaptation Live By Night in the spring, and starring in Justice League in 2016. Fincher has his own projects at HBO that will keep him busy in the interim. Affleck will next be seen in Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice.
Though the Hitchcock remake–a Warner Bros library title and an adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith novel–will be its basis, this film will be contemporary and redefined for the times. This one might be best titled Strangers On A Plane, as Affleck will play a variation of the role played by Farley Granger of a tennis pro who is bored with his marriage and wants to get divorced, but instead gets entwined with a wealthy socialite psycho who proposes the notion of exchanging murders. The twist here is a compelling one. Affleck will play a movie star–in the middle of a campaign for an Oscar during awards season–whose private plane breaks down and is given a ride to LA on another plane by a wealthy stranger. In Fincher’s hands, who knows how that goes, but it sure does seem like fertile ground.
The idea of a remake has been kicking around for some time, with Arnold Kopelson at one point attempting it but never getting it off the ground. This is an important get for Warner Bros, and top brass is high on the project: Affleck, Fincher and Flynn’s Gone Girl was a lucrative one for Fox and New Regency, grossing $350 million worldwide on a $60 million budget.
The project will follow the track of an express train, despite Affleck’s busy schedule. He is clearing space to shoot Strangers between directing and starring in the Dennis Lehane novel adaptation Live By Night in the spring, and starring in Justice League in 2016. Fincher has his own projects at HBO that will keep him busy in the interim. Affleck will next be seen in Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice.
#5
Re: Strangers (D: David Fincher / W: Gillian Flynn) S: Ben Affleck - Hitchcock remake
I think this could be excellent material for Fincher. I can see it now.
#6
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Strangers (D: David Fincher / W: Gillian Flynn) S: Ben Affleck - Hitchcock remake
Fincher must really like Flynn. Gone Girl, she's writing episodes of Utopia, and now this. Props to her for turning a job at Entertainment Weekly and writing books on the side into a full career in high budget films with one of the best directors currently working.
#7
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Strangers (D: David Fincher / W: Gillian Flynn) S: Ben Affleck - Hitchcock remake
They need to hire Samuel L. Jackson for this movie, if only so he can say this:
"I've had it with these mother f'ing strangers on this mother f'ing plane!"
"I've had it with these mother f'ing strangers on this mother f'ing plane!"
#8
Re: Strangers (D: David Fincher / W: Gillian Flynn) S: Ben Affleck - Hitchcock remake
I'm a big fan of Strangers on a Train, but Fincher's upcoming tv projects (Utopia, noir series with Ellroy) seem much more appealing to me. Also, I can't say I'm too excited about Fincher continuing to work with Affleck. He was perfect for Gone Girl, but I don't really care to see more.
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Re: Strangers (D: David Fincher / W: Gillian Flynn) S: Ben Affleck - Hitchcock remake
The only director who should be allowed to remake Hitch is/was Hitch.
I'm sure this will be entertaining enough and look like a Fincher film, but really? He couldn't find an original screenplay or adapt something new?
At least De Palma has the courtesy of making movies that only feel like remakes...and Stoker was only heavily influenced by Shadow of a Doubt. Really liked Sotker, I should rewatch that again soon.
It's Fincher, so I'll see it at some point. But, it feels like we're such a long way from Zodiac.
I'm sure this will be entertaining enough and look like a Fincher film, but really? He couldn't find an original screenplay or adapt something new?
At least De Palma has the courtesy of making movies that only feel like remakes...and Stoker was only heavily influenced by Shadow of a Doubt. Really liked Sotker, I should rewatch that again soon.
It's Fincher, so I'll see it at some point. But, it feels like we're such a long way from Zodiac.
#12
Re: Strangers (D: David Fincher / W: Gillian Flynn) S: Ben Affleck - Hitchcock remake
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Re: Strangers (D: David Fincher / W: Gillian Flynn) S: Ben Affleck - Hitchcock remake
Afleck and Damon would be perfect for the leads. Already tons of implied homoeroticism there.
#15
#17
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Re: Strangers (D: David Fincher / W: Gillian Flynn) S: Ben Affleck - Hitchcock remake
They'll have to add a lot of extra material to make it Fincher's standard 2.5-hour run time. Still, I'm intrigued.
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#22
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Re: Strangers (D: David Fincher / W: Gillian Flynn) S: Ben Affleck - Hitchcock remake
I still haven't forced myself to watch Ben Button.
#23
Re: Strangers (D: David Fincher / W: Gillian Flynn) S: Ben Affleck - Hitchcock remake
Of the 4 films I mentioned, I would actually say that this one IMO is better than the other 3.
#24
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Strangers (D: David Fincher / W: Gillian Flynn) S: Ben Affleck - Hitchcock remake
I'm not surprised. Fincher has amazing style but he doesn't seem to have many new ideas to offer the world of film. Most of his films are adaptations of books and/or remakes. Luckily his execution is almost always solid, but I feel like he's one of the most highly acclaimed directors who doesn't actually have a voice.
#25
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Strangers (D: David Fincher / W: Gillian Flynn) S: Ben Affleck - Hitchcock remake
Outside of Zodiac, he doesn't for the most part, he sells entertainment and professionalism and does a damn fine job of it.