Early this summer, we announced that Dimension Films was in the process of giving Johnny 5 a remake-over with a new Short Circuit film. They just about had all of the pre-production people in place to make it happen; all they needed was a director. Dan Milano (Greg the Bunny) was putting together the script; David Foster, who produced the original, was returning to produce the remake and joining him were Ryan E. Heppe and John Hyde. So where did Dimension Films go to find a director? Where everyone else goes when they need to find something, of course – the mall.
Steve Carr, who directed 2009 surprise hit Paul Blart: Mall Cop, has been chosen to direct the Short Circuit remake and that just means one thing – a embarrassingly, unfunny actor will surely be cast as the male lead. What brings me to that conclusion? I’m glad you asked…
Taking a look back at Carr’s previous work we see that he has given the world such movie gems as: Next Friday (Ice Cube), Dr. Dolittle (Eddie Murphy), Daddy Day Care (Eddie Murphy again), Rebound (Martin Lawrence), Are We Done Yet? (Ice Cube again), and Paul Blart: Mall Cop (Kevin James).
Yeah, sure, Eddie Murphy is listed twice but we aren’t talking about Beverly Hills Cop or Raw Murphy; we’re talking about Haunted Mansion, Meet Dave, and Pluto Nash Murphy. I’m not too thrilled about the prospect of either an overweight white guy that is funny because he’s fat or an African-American rapper/comedian that is funny because he’s stereotypical playing the male lead. I’m not saying Carr will go in either direction during the casting phase, but so far his reputation precedes him.
Well, as long as they don’t mess with the original story, then the Short Circuit could turn out to be a fun throwback to 80s comedy. Here is what Variety is reporting the story will be about:
“Built by the military to be a highly sophisticated weapon, Johnny 5 develops a conscience and personality after being hit by lightning. He befriends a lonely boy and his fractured family.”
Sigh. A lonely boy and his fractured family? Why must every family story in Hollywood include a messed up kid and their messed up family? Is everything written by Disney? (ZING!) Seriously, what was wrong with the original story? Man builds robot, robot gets conscience, robot meets girl, girl meets robot building guy and falls in love, robot rides off into the sunset. Done and Done! Carr still has time to salvage this potential train wreck if he will call Steve Guttenberg right now and offer him a great co-starring role.
What do you think about this announcement that Steve Carr is directing the new Short Circuit and what do you think the film’s potential could be?
Short Circuit is planning on a 2011 release.
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