Welling, Grace lost in 'The Fog' remake

Tom Welling and Maggie Grace will star in the remake of John Carpenter's classic horror thriller "The Fog" for Revolution Studios. Rupert Wainwright is directing and Debra Hill, David Foster and Carpenter are producing the film, which Cooper Layne is penning from the screenplay written by Hill and Carpenter for the original 1980 film. "Fog" is set in a Northern California town where, about 100 years ago, a ship sank under mysterious circumstances in a thick, eerie fog. The ghosts of the deceased mariners return from their watery graves to seek their revenge. Welling will play a local boat owner who never left the town, and Grace will portray a college girl who is back in her hometown for the summer. CAA-repped Welling is the star of the WB Network hit "Smallville." He also appeared in the feature "Cheaper By the Dozen." Grace, repped by Innovative Artists, is best known for the ABC hit "Lost." (Borys Kit)

and it'll be PG-13. *yawn*

Here's a link to an interview with John Carpenter (who apparently is kinda-sorta producing this) and some other producer type:

http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=7625

Is it just me or does Carpenter sound like he could care less?

Anyway, yeah, more PG-13 versions of the R rated flicks that kicked ass back in the day. Let's dumb it down for the masses and clean 'em up for the "concerned" parents.

Cleaning them up has nothing to do with concerned parents. It's all about money and the people going to horror movies in the largest numbers is teenagers. If they can't get in, you don't get their money.

How do you get around this? You make the movie PG-13.

You (the general you, not you specifically) have to let go of the notion that filmmaking is a sacred art, its a business. Especially so when you're re-making something.

I just watched The Fog last week, and there's hardly any on-screen violence or anything else to speak of that would warrant an R rating by today's standards. The Fog wasn't exactly John Carpenter's best work either (which even he admits). The remake might actually turn out better than the original. I'd at least give it the benefit of a doubt before writting it off.

Pretty much what I was going to say.

someone who had the attention span to read that whole thing....did he mention anything about new seriel killer movie he is working on? my old teacher is writing that, with carpenter slated to directed.

I remember seeing that flick when I was young, freaked me out

i must be in the minority here, i thought that movie was boring and about as non-scary as you can get...

maybe its just me...

And nobody cared when I first posted it either.

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=410652

Original
Jamie Lee Curtis & Adrienne Barbeau =

Remake
Maggie Grace & Selma Blair =

I can't wait to see this. This looks to be Tom Welling's first lead role on the big screen. I know he was in "Cheaper by the Dozen", but I can't think of anything else.

This is actually the kind of thing I'd like to see more of--Hollywood remaking films with tremendous promise that failed to live up to the potential. ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 did not qualify, as it was already great, but THE FOG failed to deliver in spite of having a fascinating concept, so maybe we'll see an improvement.

The original The Fog was a classic example of "cool premise, poor payoff." As others have said, there's the potential for this to improve on the original.

Yeah, Carpenter really cranked up the "Dick-O-Meter" in that interview...having said that, it's always a little refreshing to see someone refuse to kiss ass for the media...

I'm certainly looking forward to it.. for Welling's role in it, and for what I hope will be a better version of the film. I don't mind the first one, but like many have already said, it lacks a bit. My wife thought it was just stupid.

Oh yeah, well I think your wife's...




...right on the money.

'Zackly.

The horror films that have lasted, that still have loyal fans were never the ones that went easy with the MPAA.

I *understand* the idiotic concept of making it PG-13 but it never really seems to work because it's so watered down that teens don't think it's scary enough (or gory enough) and adults don't truly want watered down horror.

The studios keep going with the mindset of casting "young sexy teens" who will be forgotten in 2-3 years (who only get work simply BECAUSE they're "young and sexy".) It's a formula that MIGHT work opening weekend but if the studio really wants to make money, you invest in a strong story, a capable director and a cast that can provide believeable (or at least) entertaining performances.

This will give you a film "with legs" whose popularity will increase over time thus allowing the studio to keep squeezing money from the fans.

A turd of a film does no one any good. PG-13 "horror" films barely qualify as something worthy of being flushed.

Are horror fans eagerly anticipating pretty boy Tom Welling? I'm kinda doubting it.

*Marketing* a film is a business, making a film is not nor should ever be but the suits continue to ignore that.

Reading some of the other posts here suggest "The Fog" is ripe for a remake since it failed to deliver originally. I strongly disagree, it's certainly more a "classic" approach to horror but that's a good thing. Do we really want more hyper-edited, no substance "teen friendly" so-called horror?

Do you REALLY want more of Paris Hilton and Tom Welling in this genre? Welling belongs on the small screen where the Whedon fans of the world can enjoy him (for whatever reason. I don't see the appeal, he's a dime a dozen these days.)

but what's REALLY sad is how Carpenter just doesn't give a rat's ass and does things just for the paycheck. Every comment I see from him only enhances that thought.

Speaking of remakes, "The Thing" is getting a (no doubt) shitty "update" FOR TV. Damn. Imagine how watered down THAT one is gonna be.

You are awesome.

I have a warm spot in my heart for "The Fog" and would'nt mind seeing someone re-imagine the story. Adrienne & Jamie Lee will be impossible to replace but I'm in it for the pirates anyway!

I always thought The Fog was quite solid from an atmosphere and directorial standpoint. I thought the script and especially the radio chick's dialogue were wince inducing at times.

wow.

guess i'll be the only one in this thread that liked the original and still wonders where the originality in Hollywood is..

Don't get me wrong, I did like the original. I just think there's a little room for improvement.

That's what Lucas thought about ANH, and now look at it.

Just as further proof that those involved with the remake have zero respect for the original, here's what pretty boy Tom Welling had to say in the new issue of 'Entertainment Weekly';

So since I love the original, I guess that makes me unsophisticated....

all this from the joker who barely had a supporting role in the awful "Cheaper By The Dozen." I guess that was for sophisticated audiences as well, eh Tom?