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Natalie Portman to Lead Suspiria Remake?! Talk About Horror

by Kevin Powers
August 6, 2008
Source: Bloody Disgusting

This news is probably going to irk some horror fans. Bloody Disgusting brings us word that decidedly non-horror Natalie Portman is wrapping her dainty mitts around one of the horror genre's sharpest blades, 1977's Suspiria from the Italian horror icon Dario Argento. Come to think of it, how more pissed could you be after we learned back in March that director David Gordon Green (of this week's Pineapple Express) would, in fact, helm the remake? Portman's own production company, Handsome Charlie Films, will produce the film. Is it me or does everyone have a production company nowadays? This doesn't seem to be shaping up well for the return of a film that has been described as having "the most vicious murder scene ever filmed." Will Portman be able to bring this remake some justice?

For the life of me, I can't make heads or tails why these two are attached to the project. For Portman, I will say that she does have some range (from Closer to V for Vendetta). However, anything resembling Suspiria is certainly lacking in her resume. She may very well do a fine job as the put-upon American ballet student Suzy, but I (and I imagine many out there besides me) have doubts. Obviously, this is all assuming Argento's style will sustain in the remake, but we're not entirely sure about that yet.

As for Green, well, I know Alex enjoyed spending time with him and Pineapple Express is definitely going to do well, but his involvement is just puzzling. The director freely admitted back in March that "it doesn't make a lick of sense." So who's idea was it? Apparently some "Italian producers came to [Green] about it, wanting to do a pretty amazing, ambitious, artistic [version]." Judging from these comments over the last year and recent developments, it seems that the remake might be a far scream from Argento's original. That's sad. But, when you think about, it'd probably be even more disappointing if these two tried to do an authentic remake.

If you don't recall, Suspiria surrounds "a young American dancer [who] travels to Europe to join a famous ballet school. As she arrives, the camera turns to another young woman, who appears to be fleeing from the school. She returns to her apartment where she is gruesomely murdered by a hideous creature. Meanwhile, the young American is trying to settle in at the ballet school, but hears strange noises and is troubled by bizarre occurrences. She eventually discovers that the school is merely a front for a much more sinister organization." Remakes will be remakes and some will be true to the original while others will be a shoddy "inspiration." Which do you think Portman and Green's Suspiria will be?

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np

She exhibited something in The Darjeeling Limited?? Really?? Or do you mean Hotel Chevalier? Since when are actors judged by their cameos? Beyond that... Given that it's an Argento remake, her presence in Hollywood and on the world stage with FINCA (it's frowned upon if a non-comedic celebrity doesn't have a foothold in some good cause) I'm confident that they will make money globally, not domestically. The trailer's probably going to keep us on the edge of our seats more than the actual movie. And in 3-4 years it will be long forgotten in the sea of remakes that overcrowd the $10 DVD stand at Best Buy. But... It's cool to see that she's venturing into something like this instead of, say, doing voice-overs. But, then again.... I'm sure she will within a year or two.
Dave

I don't see why Portman can't pull it off. It's not like Jessica Harper was a staple of horror movies in the 70s and she did just fine.
Carlos

im pretty sure this has pg-13 written all over it... ;P
http://www.spill.com me

Who the fuck cares There's always the original if this one stinks I am not going to see it in theater unless my hardcore friend says its worth I will salvage in bloody galore Argento original, after this one comes out for old times sake I don't care besides she could do a great job after all she is an actor and its her job to take on different character and besides if we can see Natalie Portman naked and bloody fuck I might see it even if the film turns crap
pt

Portman's company actually denied that this project is happening. She has another film in the works.
http://handfulofwires.blogspot.com DCompose

She's an actress. Maybe she can act in a horror movie. It's not that radical an idea.
janet

Why does every star have a production company? It really seems like that's the case. I don't even get it...I mean do they have an office and letterhead too or is just the name? Ugh
goudos

Everyone starts a production company because its the way to get paid in Hollywood. Tom Cruise, for example, does not get $20 million dollars a picture, his production company has a corporate income of $20 million dollars for every Tom Cruise product they sell and the guy Tom Cruise draws a salary from the company. Tom Cruise then pays personal income tax based on the salary he is paying himself and the bulk of the $20 million is an asset of the Tom Cruise production office. It’s a trick. In addition, studios don't produce anything anymore (a decline that has been going on since the Paramount Decree in 1948). The production company develops the projects; the studios are just distributors really.
Xerxex

She was amazing in Garden State, give her a chance.
http://www.myspace.com/kevjohnphotography kevjohn

Don't be so cynical. Wow, I can't believe I just said that. Not every star is forming production companies just to shoot vanity projects or get out of paying some taxes. I saw a great indie dvd earlier this year called Saving Face and was surprised to find out it was made by Will Smith's production company, Overbrook Entertainment. Maybe some stars actually like having some sort of involvement in making 'real' films in between all the hyped up blockbusters. I always thought the original Suspiria was boring and overrated though. It was was pretty to look at, but I almost fell alseep in a few places during a late-night viewing. In my mind it shouldn't be too hard for Portman & Co. to at least match the original.
http://www.firstshowing.net Kevin Powers

yeh...I just never thought I'd see Natalie Portman and Dario Argento mentioned in the same breath!