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Straczynski Promises His Forbidden Planet Remake Will Be Unique
December 1, 2008
Source: MTV
by Alex Billington
When it was announced that J. Michael Straczynski was writing a remake of the classic 1956 sci-fi film The Forbidden Planet, the response was highly negative. I tried to defend it, but without any actual details to go off of, it was a challenge. However, MTV talked with Straczynski recently and got some rather juicy details out of him. While he didn't exactly reveal a lot, he did finally say some things that actually make me confident that this remake won't being butchered by Hollywood. Straczynski is no newcomer to sci-fi, being the creator of "Babylon 5" and writer of comic books like "Silver Surfer: Requiem", and it seems more and more apparent that he is the perfect guy to bring us an updated Forbidden Planet.
Straczynski told MTV that "I've always wanted to do something involving Forbidden Planet. It's my favorite science-fiction film of all time." The rights were moving between companies, so he told Joel Silver to pick it up and he'd write it. "It's the dream of a lifetime to play in that universe." And how did he convince Silver that his version would be worthwhile? "I told Joel this is how you do Forbidden Planet without pissing on the original that no one has ever thought of. When I told [the idea] to him, his eyes lit up. It's not a remake. It's not a reimagining. It's not exactly a prequel. You'll have to see it. It's something that no one has thought of when it comes to this storyline." Unfortunately that means we've got to wait, too.
When asked about the retro look of the original film and whether it'll translate to this, he corrects MTV saying that the original wasn't actually retro. "At the time it was made it was cutting edge. They weren't trying to be 'retro' — they thought they were right on the cutting edge. People that went to see that film saw things they had never seen before. What we have to do now is have this one be as innovative now as the original was then. It doesn't mean we should look backwards." That task of innovating the look is left up to the director, so Straczynski doesn't have much more to add on that front. And unfortunately Warner Brothers and Joel Silver haven't actually chosen a suitable director for this yet.
In the original, a starship crew is sent to investigate what happened to a colony of settlers on a planet only to find two survivors. It turns out that the race of aliens on the planet, called Krell, destroyed themselves and left their technology intact some thousands of years in the past. So in regards to the Krell, Straczynski says he's been doing extensive research. "[When coming] up with the Krell backstory and who they are, I sat down with some of the nation’s best minds in astrophysics and planetary geology and A.I. and asked them — based on what we know now — what will a million years from now look like? The goal is to put things in there you've never seen before." I, for one, can't wait to see what Straczynski has come up with.
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Reader Feedback - 22 Comments »
1
I think I've died inside a little.
Tom Dearsley on Dec 1, 2008
2
I can't let the bad guys win! Our children can't be raised in fear!
Angry Frank Drebin on Dec 1, 2008
3
Fantastic. Looking forward to this one. Although I can't make ANY sense of this particular story. Not a 'remake', 'reimagining', or 'prequel'? That leaves only 'sequel', if I catch his meaning. When did Hollywood lingo turn into a whole separate language?
McScottsonfelds on Dec 1, 2008
4
Let me say it again…
J. Michael Straczynski's work does not reflect the level of literacy required for a truthful and meaningful adaptation of Forbidden Planet.
And guys, this is not just about J. Michael Straczynski — this is a general indictment against modern literacy in general, across the board, television to music to motion pictures.
J. Michael Straczynski writes popcorn fluff and that's great: I love the popcorn. I love Michael Bay and all the other makers of pretty, pointless movies.
The reason why the majority (90% or more) of these re-makes and re-imaginings of classics fail is because the basic level — and by "basic" I mean the fundamental stuff — of storytelling in Hollywood has long since atrophied, replaced by an unapologetic greed for the bottom line. Of course Hollywood obsesses about the opening weekend — their films don't MEAN or SAY anything, and thus, don't have "legs" to bring in a decent return several weeks and months out.
Forbidden Planet, as everyone knows, was written by Cyril Hume and Allen Adler from the novel by Irving Block. The movie is an ethical and moral tour de force that, let's face, does even draw a blush from anybody living in America of the 21st century.
The reasons why these classic films work is because they are drawn from classic literature and written by classic writers/scriptwriters. In our gaudyt, neon, vision-obsessed, symbol-culture we (as the audience) are out of touch with good stories and what they are SUPPOSED to do to us when we watch them. As a result, the standard brigade of Hollywood hacks who just recycle the last trite failure or hi-def flop (themselves incapable of depth) just pander to our dull wits.
Drama is clearly no longer welcome or respected in Hollywood.
Given J. Michael Straczynski's work to date, there is no reason to expect anything other than tinsel from tinsel town. You know, there's a reason it's called that.
Tinsel is the meaningless, shredded foil that hangs on a holiday tree to make it more commercial.
J. Michael Straczynski is out of his league.
Give him something he can handle, like Daredevil or the Buggaloos.
Accusamend
Accusamend on Dec 1, 2008
5
Bablyon 5 was a fantastic, inspired, and cohesive catalog of work that JSM poured his heart and soul into. I can't think of a better person for the job.
YK on Dec 1, 2008
6
Somebody summarize that crazy-long post. No way am I reading it myself.
Sabrecat on Dec 1, 2008
7
Listen I loved the original and worry about a crappy remake but come on "an ethical and moral tour de force" it was a fun and wonderful scfi movie. You make it out like it is some sacred bible text. Its just a movie for gods sake. Movies have evolved to something different than the way we want to remember them by. It's like music as you grow older the young kids are listening to things you no longer care about. It is a fact of life and they make pictures to relate to these new generations. They can still be crap ! We need to trust that it will be entertaining a little of both…for us and them.
Fujirich on Dec 1, 2008
8
#6
You did summarize my point — laziness.
#7
Absolutely, films evolve. Everything does.
By "ethical and more tour de force" I simply mean the film was absolutely saturated with well constructed, rich and convincing consequences that were buttressed my well-conceived ethic and moral processes.
The film's strength stems from intelligent conflicts, not just 90 minutes of busty teenagers trying to act around Mtv soundbites.
Thus, it is beyond the realm of J. Michael Staczynski.
Accusamend.
Accusamend on Dec 2, 2008
9
i always wanted to see the krell and more of the technology but i suppose my minds eye created the best illusions for me.
WERDNAFAZ on Dec 2, 2008
10
Already they are talkiing to certain people for certain roles. Viggo Mortenson Paul Walker, Orlando Bloom, Keifer Sutherland, Steve Innes, Simon O'Brien (both Aussies) Wentworth Miller, Jared Leto, possibly Val Kilmer (as the robot?) and a few others I didn't catch.
So girls so far - I'm sure there was at least one girl in the original.
I'm suprised Sam Worthington (another from Perth Aussie like Innes) has not been approached yet, as he seems to be to current go-to guy for sci-fi epics.
Please don't let it end up like lost in space - it deserves the chance to be great and the possible cast assembled so far certainly has the makings
Renee on Dec 2, 2008
11
"People that went to see that film saw things they had never seen before. What we have to do now is have this one be as innovative now as the original was then."
that's the logic that gave us the star wars prequels…sometimes nostalgia is the way to go. kirk wears gold 'sall i'm sayin.
fanboy d on Dec 2, 2008
12
that said, tdtess (best acronym everrrrr!!!) looks okay
fanboy d on Dec 2, 2008
13
the planet was called Altair. the ancient race that once lived there were called The Krell.
ballyhoo on Dec 2, 2008
14
Changeling and They marched into Sunlight are "popcorn fluff"? Wow. Remarkable notion of "popcorn fluff". And I for one haven't seen busted teenagers in B5. Maybe you've got him mixed up with someone else?
nobody on Dec 2, 2008
15
as a die hard fan of the original (which I saw with my father at a drive-in theater when it was first released) I dont really see this being offensive in concept…should turn out rather well if they live up to the ideas they are talking about for it…
moldybread on Dec 2, 2008
16
Perhaps you missed the B5 JMS episode which dealt with whether a killer, mindwiped, who later became a priest never knowing his past, can atone for sins he doesn't remember..and whether or not those who seek revenge against him are justified if that person no longer exists.
Or the episode which dealt senstiively with all the various religions of B5.
Or the episode that showed an alien race that refused to acknowledge a disease ravaging its people because it was seen as having come from "immorality" and whose self-imposed ignorance ended up wiping out their entire race.
Or the episode that introduced a healing machine that could transfer one person's life energy to another to save that person…but at the cost of that person's life as a form of execution, and when it's ethically right or wroing to use that machine.
There were, literally, dozens more, all by JMS, all raising those sorts of issues.
B5 was all ABOUT moral and ethical questions.
Not a busty teenager in sight anywhere.
somebody on Dec 2, 2008
17
@somebody
"Passing through Gethsemane" is my favorite B5 episode.
I can only assume that poster Accusamend confuses JMS with someone else, otherwise I can't imagine where the "busty teenagers" comment is coming from. There are no busty teenagers in JMS' work I'm aware of, much less busty teenagers dancing around MTV clips. Joss Whedon perhaps - but then the assessment would still be unfair.
JMS has minored in literature and philosophy. He knows classical literature as well as moral and ethics very well.
nobody on Dec 2, 2008
18
"It's not a remake. It's not a reimagining. It's not exactly a prequel."
But it will defininately be a cash-in.
If it has none of the imaginings of the original then why use the name?
I loved JMS' work on B5, but some things should just be left the hell alone, and Forbidden Planet is one of them.
nef deppard on Dec 2, 2008
19
"If it has none of the imaginings of the original then why use the name?"
Because it's set in the same universe? Notice how he said it's *not exactly* a prequel (as opposed to: *not* a prequel), and that he was working on ideas about the Krell society.
" some things should just be left the hell alone, and Forbidden Planet is one of them."
Guess it's a little late for that. Reportedly he said at LosCon last weekend that the first draft has already been turned in.
nobody on Dec 3, 2008
20
#19 Because it's set in the same universe? Notice how he said it's *not exactly* a prequel (as opposed to: *not* a prequel), and that he was working on ideas about the Krell society.
Then it's a cash in on the name. Like I said.
nef deppard on Dec 3, 2008
21
I have always loved Forbidden Planet; not only for the 'special effects, but, the story line. However, the film is quite dated in respect to some of the film's characters. The 'Blonde Bimbo' daughter, the alcoholic cook, etc. A reasonable, well balanced re-make would be difficult to do. Common pitfalls are as follows 1. All tech, no script. 2. The Xena female warrior - overcompensation for aforementioned Bimbo. 3. Obnoxious children e.g. any Spielburg film. 4. SciFi becomes Bloody Horror film. There are more, but, you get the point. Incidentially, name one re-make equal to or better than the original.
SciFi Lover on Dec 21, 2008
22
the origin of "forbidden planet" lies in shakespeare's "the tempest".
ruben canonizado on Jan 31, 2009