Red Riding is a mini-series (three movies in total) based on four novels that center around the fictionalized investigation into a series of murders, including those committed by the Yorkshire Ripper, a serial killer that terrorized the Yorkshire area in England in the ’70s and ’80s. The mini-series aired on TV in the UK back in March (it’s set for a Fall release in the U.S.) to mostly positive reviews – praised for its realism and strong performances (from such Brit actors as Sean Bean and Paddy Considine), amongst others things.
In a rather surprising piece of news, today we learn that Ridley Scott (yes, THAT Ridley Scott) is in talks to direct a one-film remake of the Red Riding mini-series, with Steve Zaillian (Hannibal, American Gangster) also in talks to write the script.
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Variety reports that Columbia Pictures has acquired the rights to both the Red Riding mini-series, as well as the original novels by David Peace. Both Scott and Zaillian are also in talks to produce through their Scott Free and Film Rites production banners, respectively. Andrew Eaton of Revolutionary Films, which produced the original mini-series, will also produce.
For the remake (I think we can call it such…), the events will be transferred to the U.S. from the original UK setting (Yorkshire). I managed to catch some of original mini-series, and it’s very steeped in the atmosphere of its setting, so it’ll be interesting to see where exactly in the U.S. they set this version (and who will the killer be instead of the Yorkshire Ripper?). The mini-series clocks in at around five hours, so Scott and Zaillian are really going to have to work hard to make it work in a presumably two hour movie.
We’ve mentioned a few times around these parts that in true Guillermo del Toro style, Scott is really building up a heck of a work load for himself. Ready? Here goes:
- He’s been confirmed to direct the Alien prequel.
- He might be directing an adaptation of Brave New World.
- A Monopoly movie has been in the cards for quite a while now.
- A project called The Kind One is listed on his IMDB page.
- And he’s potentially got directing duties upcoming for a vampire film, based on the 1200 page book, The Passage.
And none of that includes his list of producing duties…
So where does this Red Riding U.S. remake fit in? In my opinion, the Alien prequel should be number one priority, simply because he was the man behind the original, and I’m sure I’m not alone when I say it’s the project I’m anticipating the most.
I still need to catch the rest of the original Red Riding mini-series, but I’d certainly be interested to see Scott and Zaillian team-up again (after their last project together, the excellent American Gangster) to see what they’d do with the story in an American context.
What do you think of Scott and Zallian potentially remaking the Red Riding trilogy? Have you seen the mini-series from earlier this year? And is a U.S. remake warranted (particularly as a one-shot film), even with Scott at the helm?
In case you missed them, be sure to check out our own Naill Browne’s three interviews with Red Riding writer, Tony Grisoni.
Source: Variety
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3 Comments
The miniseries was grim from the grim kennel, and although the books it was based on took liberties with the facts surrounding the Yorkshire Ripper murders, it relied on a very specific time and location for its impact (West Riding is an area of Yorkshire, for a start). This won’t be a simple transposable nostalgia-fest like remaking Life On Mars.
I can almost understand remaking a foreign language film. But come on, the mini-series is British, that mean’s it’s in English. There’s nothing stopping them from just releasing the original over here. It’s not like Sean Bean doesn’t have drawing power in the US.
Unnecessary, the entire project is unnecessary. Watch the miniseries.
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