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Johnny 5 is Alive - Short Circuit Being Remade!

by Alex Billington
April 4, 2008
Source: Variety

Oh no! Now all of you who claim that Wall-E is a "rip off" of Johnny 5 will get your moment in the spotlight, too! The Weinstein Company and Dimension Films have acquired the rights to remake the 1986 family classic Short Circuit. Even the original creators, S.S. Wilson and Brent Maddock, who created the characters and wrote both of the original movies, are back on board again writing the script for the remake. No director has been hired yet, but the producers do claim that it will at least be similar in its theme, with technological advances accounted for. Johnny 5 is still alive!

The original film is about a military robot called Number 5 that runs away from the government after it's struck by lightning and develops a conscience and a personality. With the help of a young woman, Number 5 tries to evade capture and convince his creator that he has truly become alive. As Peter at SlashFilm points out, Bob Weinstein probably noticed all of the discussion comparing Wall-E and Johnny 5 and thought that they could capitalize on the renewed interest. Unfortunately I don't think that's going to help turn this into anything good.

Although Short Circuit is undoubtedly a beloved 80's classic, that doesn't mean it's ripe for a remake. In fact, I think just the opposite. I've got a feeling deep down inside that we're going to get Stealth mixed with Wall-E - and that really makes me sick... Thoughts on this remake?

Short Circuit

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Zach D.

As long as Steve Guttenberg and Fisher Stevens are involved. Ha.
Canadian Jeff

Stonecutters Unite!
http://rioranchofilmreviews.blogspot.com/ Ricky Roma

Sweet Jeebus. As if the original isn't bad enough.
r1000

OH god... i really hop not... really hated these movie(s) with a Passion... I love Sci fi and have a huge love for Robots... but that robot had to be the most obnoxious robots EVER...
http://www.supersatellite.com Michael

Interesting news. Not sure how to feel about it just yet though. I'll reserve judgment till more news comes out. Quoted this in my blog about it (w/ original trailer posted!): http://www.supersatellite.com/2008/04/04/johnny-5extreme/
Spider

Great opportunity for Steve Guttenberg to get another shot at mainstream success. I too believe he was booted off too early from "Dancing With the Stars". Even Ally Sheedy could use a comeback opportunity. Let's see how modern effects technology will bring back Number 5.
http://www.theaterhopper.com Tom Brazelton

As long as there is a romantic implication with Ally Sheedy, I'm there!
harrison

does this mean we get a Batteries not Included remake too?
interl0per

there is NO GOD
bltzie

I used to love these movies when I was kid, there was some sort of "magic" about them, I mean c'mon a robot in the 80's! but now with all the cgi and special effects... we even have the transformers for crying out loud! I think this is going to be baaad! I was thinking the same thing while watching "the spiderwick chronicles", it's a kiddie family oriented film, but there's nothing great about it. I mean were I 10 years old, nothing and I mean NOTHING of it would amaze in times like this, like for example "The Never Ending Story" did back in the good old days. There's so little of that "magic" in todays films...in a child point of view that is. My point is "Short Circuit" did what it had to do back in the 80's because it was the time for the movie. Don't bring this back.
http://www.millsworks.net Robbo

Oh please! If there's one thing Hollywood "creatives" excel at it's showing just how derivative, unimaginative and totally bereft of originality they truly are. Every frickin' year there's another off-loading of excreble re-make rubbish - and they wonder why their industry is slowly sliding further and further into the toilet. I worked on Short Circuit II - it was fun. It wasn't as good as the first for a wild array of reasons. Few sequels are. Complete and total re-makes NEVER are. Unless you're Howard Hawks and you want to work with the Duke one more time then you should pack up the films from the past and keep them on the shelf where they can pulled down from time to time to WATCH AGAIN. Re-makes like this - or for any other film - should set aflame and crammed up the fetid butt holes of whomever gave the greenlight. Cheers.
http://www.hamiltonrobotics.org Moheeb

Thats rite! Screw over another amazing movie with a shitty remake. Lets add some slutty teenagers and myspace promotions to the equation and we have a box office hit!
http://www.tyrannous.net pT

people act like movies are some sacred vision that was sent from the gods, no these movies are made by people and people run out of ideas, and old ideas arent always bad. everything can be improved. let remakes be done, it will happen if you like it or not, you dont NEED to see them. i have high hopes for this, and most remakes! its the way of the future.
Raptor007

Ugh, I'll bet the whole damn thing will be CGI. Yuck. I hate that about movies these days... the 80's and early 90's were so much better in that regard. In happier news, the original Short Circuit is coming to Blu-ray! Yay!
http://www.tyrannous.net pT

i think the problem is that movies were made into an industry, and not kept an art. so what happens in industry? factories churn out products. here ya go.
itomato

I was fearful that Wall-E was a remake. Looking at the trailer, it's clear that there's no connection, aside from the triangular tracks, binocular-like vision appendages, and claw-like hands. Let's face it, though.. There's really no simpler, better way to elucidate a sense of human-robot identification and pity than with those elements. I think Wall-E is an homage to Short Circuit, if anything.. I haven't seen Wall-E yet, but Short Circuit was one of my favorites as a Fifth Grader. Ally Sheedy notwithstanding. Steve Gutenburg I could do without, but he has his contemporaries, I'm certain. NO DISASSEMBLE!
sticksmcfly

I hope he gets that bitch this time. ...and then they could have a scene where Johnny's on trial for rape this time - that would be a twist! ...but he's actually innocent, right? - a victim of technological profiling.
kj

NOOOOO! Leave my *#@&$*@&$ing childhood alone. Please.
poopsmith

Is El Debarge signed on to do the soundtrack? "Who's Johnny" was epic the first time cant wait for the remix!
wm

isn't is already remade as wall-e ha
edd

i have to see this, along with the tron remake =] xD
doubleagame

Wasn't Short Circuit 2 enough, guys?
no way!

NO.
ama5707

I love that movie! Hopefully they won't mess up the remake too badly...
Gomus

He's alive and hes catch phrase will be: Jooooohnnnyyy. >Not associated with waaaaalleeeee.
John Willis

C'on will Number Five find love with Number Nine? What a great romatic interlude.. seague to the Battlestar Galatica sequel 'Caprica' It's a natural..
John Willis

After all.. When know the final four.. the fifth cyclon has to be Johnny Five!
cornholio_by_the_sea

totally unnecessary....will wind up a steaming heap...
Sepiid

i loved these movies, about 3 weeks ago i had them from Blockbuster Online. was talking to my wife, Wow they should do a remake of these movies. and bam here it is!
rand76

I'd prolly watch it just to see johnny 5 go to radioshack for parts and have a cell phone forced on him.
http://askabouttech.com Tyler

This will be interesting to see how the film makers will use our current technology in the movie and how different it will be from the original.
http://torley.com Torley

I love the original Short Circuit — it's one of my fave flicks, with such offbeat sensibility combined with heartfelt warmth that makes me feel good all over. I'd like to know what the people planning this remake think will be better. I'm just concerned it'll either (1) cover too much of the same, albeit tweaked for the present and/or (2) unabashedly disgrace the heritage of the original. They'd likely be better off choosing a different creative path that doesn't overlap the source's storyline. I'd cringe to see Johnny 5 surfing the Internet at warp speed as opposed to flipping through a book really fast, that's just not going to have the same effect. :\
Andrea

Why? I would rather go without any new movies than have to hear about perfectly fine movies being remade because noone has an imagination or, even worse, wants to take a chance on something new. Remakes almost never work, just look at King Kong.
Mik

Heh heh, how about a "Howard the Duck" remake. There is NO WAY on Earth that could turn out any worse than the original, so I would vote for that one. As for Short Circuit, well, let them at it, it might just turn out fine. Besides, remakes have been happening for decades now, often with good results: like 3:10 to Yuma, I thought was awesome. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was also better than the original IMO.
Johnny 5 Fan

The only bad thing I can see about this movie is that Johnny 5 will most definatly be completly CGI. But other than that I really don't think it will be that bad. I will never be as good as the originals but I'm glad Johnny 5 is back. Short Circuit 2 was the best to me.
Tom

If they're going to appeal to us older folks who saw the original in theaters they better be prepared to offer up the goods. Johnny 5 better have a lot more fire power and be a hell of a lot less whiney, and I hope he has some attitude. Cute doesn't work anymore for those of us worn down by life. There better be a reference of some kind to taking a rocket launcher to somebody's ex wife - (Could we work in that Steve was involved in a fatal marriage?), and does Ally Sheedy still look good topless? Number 5 should have some sort of bra removing device installed.
anon

"I've got a feeling deep down inside that we're going to get Stealth mixed with Wall-E - and that really makes me sick" hahaha! Wall E is a rip off of Short Circuit.
weewoo

I like Short Circuit, but a remake would be horrible. I know it won't be near half as good as the original.
http://www.boredquiz.com Movie Quiz

Oh gosh I hope this doesnt taint the original
frankie smales

why not if they are bringing back every single movie from the 80's like a fourth indianna jones film and they did another rambo movie and the opposed ghostbusters 3 movie and i am ready for short circuit to be braught back and a short circuit tv series willbe fab following the adventures of the cute robot johnny 5 and a third movie in the short circuit trilogy and have natalie portman as stephanies daughter and have cameos from steven guttenberg and ally sheedy as the parents of natalie portmans character and have topher grace as portmans love interests and please don't make johnny five cgi because it will not be the same as the original and take johnny fives adventures to london where he rescuse the royal jewells from thieves simon pegg and orlando bloom and have timothy dalton playing the prime minister and johnny five accidently ends up in an episode of dr who as david tennants robotic sidekick it willbe cool. from frankie smales (frankie smales movie and tv review uk )
Joe Blow

I can’t wait for the new Short Circuit. Johnny Five is the best! That Wall-e looks like a cheap rip-off… I also just got a copy of Short Circuit on Blu-Ray. The sound and picture quality is sooo amazing!!! It was like being a kid again and watching it for the first time in theaters.
Jim

As long as Eric Allard, the original designer of Johhny Five, is involved will I support a Short Circuit sequel.
Maz

Oh, I was so excited on hearing this However, I'm disappointed its a "Remake" as they are likely to change the design and concept of Johnny altogether to cater for today's audiences. I would prefer something more like a sequel, setting the movie years later when technology has advanced, it could open up so many prospects for a good storyline, rather than just "redoing" the original script and redesigning Johnny Five =( I also hope they don't ruin the original movies with a remake. That robot has so much personality and really comes to life, last thing we need is some (hard to believe and unrealistic) CGI which doesn't do Johnny Five justice.
Nef

way 2 go, hollywood. remakes, nothing but remakes. stupid, heartless greedy bastards.
Rhia-Bia

I think this is great. I was born in 1984 and that movie (to my generation) is nostalgic. I WANT MORE! SO what if it flops? It'll be funny
tamara

this is a lie why do you people keep going to these web sites that are run by nerds with no life and get fuax info on movies you don't understand that the people who write for aol news and other movie sites write fibbs sometimes don't beleave the hype
perrin

i kinda always wanted them to keep the story going, not so much to remake th movie, can't they give johnny like a hover craft or something instead of the tank treads
Will

Now this news is awesome. I love Johnny 5 and would love to see what new and crazy things the movie industry can do with him now. Cant wait.
Pockets

I always loved watching the short circuit movies when i was a kid, they even inspired me to get into robotic. i just hope they used the same guy to do johnny's voice. El loco's kick your balls into out-ter space!!!
http://www.fireresistantclothingchoice.com/ fire resistant clothes

I am very disappointed with it:S
jamjarr

As long as Fisher Stevens and the bloke who did Johnny 5's voice is there, I'm in. God, I hope they use as little CGI as possible though. Oh,... I know I am in the minority here, but I prefere the second one to the first one. Better memories I guess.
CDace

Seems like most people r not for a remake but I'm thrilled. Yes there's a lot of opportunity to f**k it up but I say let them try. I mean hey, what's so wrong if they actually get it right. If not better?
Ronthekanuk

Remakes are so noriginal.
chelsea

Please make a short circuit movie. The 1st and 2nd movies are so brilliant.