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Jason Statham to Star in New Brian De Palma-Directed 'Heat' Remake
by Alex Billington
February 8, 2012
Source: THR, Deadline
Another day, another remake. This time it's another one of those don't-mess-with-that classics - Heat, from 1987, starring Burt Reynolds (not Michael Mann's crime classic Heat from 1995). The project is being put together and sold in Berlin this week, which is why this news is hitting (via Deadline). Filmmaker Brian De Palma, who's been laying low recently after The Black Dahlia and Redacted, is set to direct this remake with Jason Statham in the lead. Sierra/Affinity is developing the film about a recovering gambling addict working as a "soft-hearted bodyguard" in Las Vegas who gets in over his head with a woman and the mafia.
This new Heat is just being announced and sold, but it sounds like they've got a good package together. Legendary Oscar winning writer William Goldman (Butch Cassidy, All the President's Men, The Princess Bride, Misery, Chaplin, Ghost and the Darkness, Dreamcatcher), who wrote the original 1987 script from his own novel, is writing the screenplay. Steven Chasman will produce alongside Jason Statham. Shooting is aiming to start in France in late 2012 or early 2013. Sold as a "tightly-wound, fun action-thriller," Statham's character doesn't use a gun, strictly "hand and edged-weapon combat" only, and he goes after a high-rolling mobster after he brutally beats up his female friend, but "ends up in more trouble than he ever imagined."
Out of everyone involved in this so far, I'm honestly most concerned about Brian De Palma. Not only have I seen his recent films, but I've encountered him multiple times at the Toronto Film Festival, and frankly I think he's just lost it. Kind of like Francis Ford Coppola and the kind of films he currently makes (refer to Twixt). Has De Palma devolved into the same? Only time will tell, but I'm much more excited about Statham starring in a William Goldman script, than I am about De Palma directing an action-drama again. This does sound like it could actually be pretty good, thankfully it's not a remake of Michael Mann's Heat. Stay tuned.
12 Comments
1
Thank god they're not remaking the other Heat. Would have been extremely upset
Elyk1887 on Feb 8, 2012
2
1995 Heat is already a remake of Mann's own TV movie L.A. Takedown from 1989.
Max Renn on Feb 8, 2012
3
With a 5.1 on IMDb and less than 1,000 votes I seriously doubt anyone cares that they're remaking it. Plus De Palma might improve it.
Davide Coppola on Feb 8, 2012
4
My head was about to explode before I read its not Mann's Heat.
grimjob on Feb 8, 2012
5
It's about time they remade the other Heat, what's it been, 10 minutes? I think I sorto remember the Burt Reynolds one, but not that much.
Crapola on Feb 8, 2012
6
Oh God! Did anyone else's heart stop for a minute aswell? Thank goodness it's not Mann's 'Heat'.
Agent Kid Society on Feb 8, 2012
7
I was never a big fan of Burt Reynolds or his comedy films, but I really enjoyed his run of serious action films in the 80s. I gather that not many people will remember the straight to vhs phase of Reynolds' career. Lesser know films like this are the perfect vehicle for remakes. Hopefully Statham will play the character in a similar manner to Reynolds and they don't resort to the oversaturated use of "Statham Fu".
Dangerous Don Danger on Feb 8, 2012
8
Only Heat I am aware of is Pacino and DeNiro............
Rosalee on Feb 8, 2012
9
I just love De Palma, with movies like Blow out, Carlito`s Way, Scarface, Carrie, Casualties of war and many more he is one od the greatest filmmakers alive. Granted he has made some awful duds to. But I really hopes he is back in prime mode again. I even love Body Double and enjoyed Raising Cain. He is a visual master and tension builder. Anyone know if he is going to team up with Stephen H Burum again on this one?
Loser on Feb 8, 2012
10
Statham and De Palma? That is some potential B-movie magic right there.
Lebowski on Feb 9, 2012
11
THE HOTTEST MAN ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOO ONE COMES CLOSE HOT HOT HOT
Christy76840 on Feb 18, 2012
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