This remake idea is more dog than wolf
A remake of Teen Wolf -- the werewolf flick made infamous by Michael J. Fox in 1985 (and unwatchable by Jason Bateman in 1987) -- is in the works. Tom Welling (TV's Smallville) is reportedly on-board to co-star in the flick.
Why remake Teen Wolf? In the immortal words of Bluto Blutarsky, "WHY NOT?!?"
No, seriously ... why? It wasn't exactly a classic the first time around, even though it has a soft spot in the hearts of some 80s fans. When Michael J. Fox sat down on The Actor's Studio, he even tried white-washing that role, saying no one probably remembers it. (The student audience, however, gave the movie an enthusiastic and surprising round of applause).
An interesting twist this time around: The werewolf will be played by a female. (Are you waiting for a punchline? Because one isn't coming. That's really the only difference reported so far.)
Teen Wolf is easily one of the least memorable movies of the 80s. Is that the rationale to remake it? Well, then, try these other movies from the 80s:
Five more unremarkable movies from the 80s to remake:
5. Light of Day (1987): If it must be a Michael J. Fox movie, this would cries out to be done better.
4. The Pick-Up Artist (1987): Molly Ringwald and Robert Downey Jr. reunite!
3. Vice Versa (1988): This plot has been reused more often than a J-Lo wedding dress.
2. Endless Love (1981): The most overrated romantic flick of the 80s, and nobody has been tempted to redo it? Incredible.
1. Last American Virgin (1982): Keep the soundtrack, but get Lindsey Lohan to play the "virgin" role originally played by Diane Franklin. Delicious.
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
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I also like Secret of My Success, very under-rated from the 80's movie
Posted by: Hamptune | March 30, 2007 at 09:01 AM
Steve - bring back the podcasts!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are in withdrawl.
I have listened to everyone twice now!!
Posted by: Missing the podcast | March 29, 2007 at 11:53 AM
I'm a big fan of Secret of My Success, and I don't know why. I just enjoy the hell out of it. And it's really probably just as cheesy as Teen Wolf. Go figure.
Posted by: Spears | March 29, 2007 at 10:14 AM
Ahh! Teen Wolf.
I remember it and liked it as a young teenager. Nice go from geek to most popular kid story. The breakdance scene is great, and him wearing the shades in school. I love when he "hulks out" on the basketball court for the first time. Classic!
GROSS SCENE: Not a pretty thing to see a hairy wolf in basketball shorts.
I also remember that Teen Wolf had been shot and finished before Back to the Future, but they held off release of the movie until after BTTF to capitalize on Michael J. Fox's huge rise to movie stardom. Smart move.
Nice one Steve! Hope you start up the podcasts again soon. Would love to see a Michael J. Fox podcast done.
Another nice 80s MJF movie: The Secret of My Success.
Posted by: Buffalo Jeff | March 29, 2007 at 09:47 AM
Awoooooooo! Arf Arf!
Well if they make it R-rated and have Teen-Werewolf sex, it has a shot. John Waters is famous for saying that only bad movies should be re-made, so you can make them better...but I think Poseidon blows a hole in that theory. And speaking of bad ideas for re-makes...did you know they are cobbling together a new version of Escape From New York??? WTF? And taking over the Snake Plissken role is none other than Gerard Butler, fresh from 300...but hey, isn't he Scottish? Kurt Russell thinks this is a huge steaming pile, since he believes, and rightly so, that Plissken is 100% American. Maybe they can combine the 2 and have Snake Plissken fight the female Teen Wolf...could be fun, what do you say, Hollywood??
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | March 29, 2007 at 08:51 AM