We reported early this year on the fact that the Coen brothers (No Country for Old Men) are remaking the classic 1969 John Wayne Western, True Grit. Fast-forward to almost six months down the line, and it appears things are firmly on their way with the project – Jeff Bridges is reportedly in talks to star in the late-great John Wayne’s Oscar-winning role.
Big, tough boots to fill, I think you’ll agree.
Bridges is in talks with Paramount to star in the Coen’s True Grit, which would see him work with the filmmaking duo for the first time since he was The Dude in their 1998 cult-classic, The Big Lebowski (one of my all time favorite movies, FYI). Along with reuniting the Coens with The Dude, the project (which the bros. are lining up as their next) also reunites them with No Country for Old Men producer, Scott Rudin.
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When we first reported on the Coen’s True Grit remake, it was noted that it would stick much closer to the Charles Portis book than the John Wayne version did: The story is about a 14-year-old girl who tags along with an aging U.S. marshal and another lawman to track down her father’s outlaw killer. The 1969 movie told things from the viewpoint of Wayne’s Marshall Cogburn, but the Coen’s remake will tell things from the little girl’s point-of-view.
The Big Lebowski fan in me instantly has me looking forward to a reuniting of the Coens and Bridges, whatever the genre. So maybe in that respect I’m a bit biased. Nonetheless, I think it’s an interesting idea, and an interesting choice for a remake. I’m usually against remakes for the most parts, but I have such faith in the Coens, and Bridges is a fantastic actor, so I have to say I’m looking forward to what they come up with. I’ve seen every single one of the Coen’s movies so far, and IMO, even the weakest of their films are still well worth checking out (yes, I include The Ladykillers and Intolerable Cruelty in that).
What are your thoughts on Bridges possibly starring in the Coen Bros. remake of True Grit? Do you think this particular remake is a good idea (keeping in mind who is going to be re-making it)?
True Grit is currently in the early development stages and doesn’t have a release date yet.
Source: Variety
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6 Comments
John Wayne is a legend and we don’t need a remake of his most famous role.
Jeff Bridges seems like he would be a great choice, he has the chops and is “grizzled” enough at this point to carry it off. Don’t know that it really needs to be remade, the original was pretty damn good, IMHO. Of course prolly 90% of the current crop of remakes should just have left well enough alone, after all is said and done.
I thought the original movie *was* told largely from the young girl’s point of view? Maybe I am remembering it wrong. I did enjoy the style of dialog in the movie, it was kind of unusual – I don’t know if that was true to the novel or not.
I may be inclined to commit certain crimes if this movie actually moves towards being made.
How sad.
I’d much rather see Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn than some of the ideas bandied about on a different message board; their ideas are presented below, with the warning that you should clear your mouth of anything food-or-beverage-like before reading, as I refuse to be held accountable for spit-takes:
Ready?
Set?
Aaaaaaaaannnd….
1. Bruce Willis 2.Stan Lee 3. Cliff Robertson 4. Gene Hackman 4. Johnny Depp 5. Peter Weller 6. Paul Ruebens (WTF????) 7. Kevin Spacey 8. Gerard Butler
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