I thought all the talk of board game and bubblegum movies would give us a break from news of remakes, and yet Hollywood is there to oblige us with the latter once again. This time it’s the cult 1986 film Flight of the Navigator that’s getting the update treatment.
Let the anticipation and excitement commence… not…
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The Flight of the Navigator remake will be written by Brad Copeland, best known for writing Arrested Development, as well as for My Name is Earl and the funny-at-times TV show Grounded for Life. Oh, and don’t tell anyone, but he also wrote Wild Hogs. Yeah, way to go on that one, Copeland…
Mandeville partners David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman will be acting as producers on the remake, with the executive producer from the original, John Hyde, stepping back into the role of exec producer for the remake.
I don’t know about you, but original Flight of the Navigator was a beloved film for me when I was young. I don’t remember everything about it as it’s been years and years since I’ve seen it, but I do remember it constantly being on my TV screen. And this just makes me even more annoyed that they’re remaking it.
All this complaining about the rash of movie remakes from us bloggers may be getting as annoying as the prospect of remakes itself, but if they’re going to keep (re)making them at the rate they are, then we’re going to keep saying why they shouldn’t. The original Navigator definitely has its fans – a “cult” film it most definitely could be described as – but I doubt it still has enough mainstream recognition to capitalize on the name.
That begs the question, then: are they just going to use the name, forget about the original story – a 12 year old boy gets abducted by aliens and is returned 8 years later, un-aged and with no memory – and go completely their own way with it? If so, why base it on Flight of the Navigator? Why not call it something like “Jimmy’s Flying Alien Space Adventure“?
It would be as good of an idea to call it that as it would having the remake in the first place…
Like most remakes of ’80s movies, it just won’t be the same. Part of the charm of the original Flight of the Navigator is that ’80s feel it had about it, and no doubt that would be eradicated in lieu of expensive special effects (although the special effects in the original were considered awe-inspiring back in the day) and cheap laughs. And, like pretty much all remakes, if the new version sucks it soils the name of the film we enjoyed so much, which is a damn shame…
What is your opinion on a Flight of the Navigator remake? Are you looking forward to it? or is this another movie that just should not be remade?
Source: THR
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22 Comments
I like the original and I am curious to see what becomes of this.
STOP WITH THE REMAKES AND REBOOTS!!!
I love the original, and I’m not sure that you can do “better” per se. However, I think that some interesting stuff could be done with a remake.
I thought Wild Hogs was great. A very funny film that I have enjoyed watching several times. IF you didn’t think that film was funny, you really must have a different sense of humor.
As for Flight of the Navigator, I thought the original was ok, but not one of those cherished films (like Predator) that should not be remade. I have no problem when they remake relatively unknown (which this film is) movies.
I liked Wild Hogs, and I liked Race to Witch Mountain, I say the last part as this is the tone I imagine the latter will take.
NO!
We dont need a remake of this fine film.
Pick something crappy and remake THAT!
The only reason Hollywood are remaking these particular type films is to update the SFX. It’s not a particularly original story to tell and the first one was very good during its time, so that only leaves the SFX. I’ll take bets right now that every shot of the ship will be CGI and every interior shot will be on green screen and every shot of the alien guys will be CGI as well. Sigh, that’s what we have been reduced to, what’s next? Krull?
Wild Hogs did indeed suck. It’s amazing how no matter what film a writer mentions, there’s always someone who has to post how he’s wrong in his thinking.
As for this remake, they COULD do a good job on it but they most likely won’t.
@Sharpe..
Who told Ross he’s wrong to not like Wild Hogs? I said I thought it was great. I wasn’t telling him is opinion was wrong and neither did anyone else. I prefer films like Wild Hogs over anything that Tarentino puts out. That is my taste and MY opinion. Doesn’t make it any less valid than Ross’, Vic’s or yours.
Quoting Andy S — “I thought Wild Hogs was great. A very funny film that I have enjoyed watching several times. IF you didn’t think that film was funny, you really must have a different sense of humor.”
Then why would you mention it at all since the article isn’t about Wild Hogs? You mention it because you’re disagreeing with the writer and being petty about it like many who post often are. Arguing semantics is ridiculous.
i loved this moive too even if the only thing i can clearly remeber is the kid getting his hat eaten by one of the creatures on the ship ^-^ its one of thoughs moives where you know you loved it but thats about it as far as remebering.
but now that you have reminded me about this one im going to have to hunt down a copy of it.
I didn’t like Wild Hogs but I like My Name Is Earl ( haven’t watched much A.D. ) a lot so I have no worries about Copeland tackling this one.
I loved Flight of The Navigator ( still do ) , I think its a terrific movie.
The amount of blatant remakes coming out these days is a wee bit tiresome to me sometimes but I also think that a good remake COULD be made of this one. Modern FX could make this flick even more fun the second time around .
I choose to remain optimistic on this one
The original was a fun movie. Still remember Max and how annoying he could be (like the kid brother) and think that was the first time I heard the Beach Boys.
A new one would look a lot better, but would likely just be rehash to appeal to the kids of today. So no enthusiasm from me.
Batteries Not Included will be next.
The only time Sarah Jessica Parker was hot!
this movie totally doesnt need remaking the 80s version was awsum whats the point of a remake when they can only make it worse!
@sharpe
you didn’t say much about the topic at hand either… at least andy had more to say about the flight of the navigator then you. He just gave his opinion… i’m pretty sure he wasn’t going to “argue semantics” with ross. If screenrant doesn’t want our opinions they would take the option to comment off… or am i wrong ?
Now on behalf of this remake… i’ll probably watch it cause i honestly don’t remember the original so all the details wouldn’t really matter to me. The 80’s “charm” is indeed hard to translate to the present but like all remakes i’ll welcome them. I don’t see remakes as not having an original idea i see it as 2 things…
1. A Money Maker
2. An updated version of whatever the subject might be
so hollywood bring on the remakes… they don’t have to fill seats at the theaters but i can always buy them at the 4.99 bin at wal-mart.
Heh, talk about a blast to the past… all the way to my early childhood.
I’d prefer a sequel rather than a remake but I get the feeling a remake would feel like a sequel, anyway… so I guess I don’t care either way. I’m a special effects guy to tell the truth. I’ll watch it if it’s got good SFX. Usually.
I remember Navigator as a favorite from my childhood.
However, after seeing it recently for the first time in a very long time, it hasn’t held up. As an adult, it really isn’t that great of a movie (though I can see why it would be a “cult classic”).
So I am fine with a remake – most especially if the spaceship ditches the Pee Wee Herman voice.
I probably haven’t seen Flight of the Navigator probably since the early 90’s on TV. I don’t remember it as a fantastic film. Good idea, but I think it’s one of those movies that is ripe for updating. Not saying it SHOULD be updated, but I have no previous attachment to original so it doesn’t bother me as much as a remake of Karate Kid or Predator does.
As for Sharpe’s comment, I wasn’t arguing with Ross. He made a point (negatively I might add about Wild Hogs) AND this site IS called Screen RANT, so I decided to defend a film that I liked. I wasn’t bashing him, I just mentioned he must have a different sense of humor then me. So what if I liked it, it’s not going to change the fact that the film was made OR that other people enjoyed it, too.
LOVED the original 1. Eh I’ll watch the remake.
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