‘The Little Shop Of Horrors’ Remake On The Way
Apr 16, 2009 by Ross MillerHow much more sap does the remake tree have left?! Yes, yet another remake is on it’s way, this time of the classic B-horror/comedy from …
How much more sap does the remake tree have left?! Yes, yet another remake is on it’s way, this time of the classic B-horror/comedy from 1960 called The Little Shop of Horrors. In case you don’t know, it tells the tale of a man who discovers a carnivorous plant who forces him to kill people for it’s dietary need of human flesh.
The man who’s going to be directing this remake is Declan O’Brien, the guy behind such works as the upcoming Wrong Turn 3 (there was a Wrong Turn 2?!) and a few TV sci-fi movies called Cyclops, Monster Ark and Rock Monster.
O’Brien talked a little bit about his plan for the remake:
“I just optioned the remake rights… We’re going to set that up as a studio feature… After I did this movie for Roger [Corman] called Cyclops he was so happy he said, ‘This is the best movie that’s come through my doors in 20 years, so here’s my catalogue, pick something else.’”
When asked about what his version was going to be like, O’Brien responded very vaguely:
“I have a take on it you’re not going to expect. I’m taking it in a different direction, let’s put it that way.”
This won’t be the only remake of the film – 26 years years after the original, Frank Oz helmed a remake starring Rick Moranis, Steve Martin, Ellen Greene, James Belushi and John Candy. So clearly the original idea had potential considering that those classic comedy names came on-board for a remake of the original more than 20 years ago.
O’Brien is going to be under the wing, so to speak, of director/producer of the original, Roger Corman, as well as the Bourne trilogy producer Andrew Tennenbaum (no attachment to the Wes Anderson film, just so you know…). Perhaps O’Brien’s relative inexperience won’t harm the film too much since he’ll be under the watchful eye of two experienced guys, one of which directed the original.
I must admit, I can only vaguely remember the 1986 remake (it’s one I have to watch again, actually), but I haven’t actually watched the 1960 original. I’ve seen plenty of images and info about it because of my love for reading up about classic movies (even if I haven’t actually seen them), though – and I have to say, I’m not actually sure if it would work nowadays.
Not that it isn’t a nifty idea for a movie, but unless O’Brien is going to continue on the comedy/horror route, I just don’t see it working. My guess would be that the new direction he mentions he’s going to go with it might be a deadly serious one, and for a story about a man-eating plant, can that really be done seriously without being unintentionally silly and laughable? I’m not so sure.
As always, I’m willing to be proven wrong, but to me this just doesn’t seem like the kind of story that can work in the modern movie age. However, on second thought, they did succesfully update Corman’s Death Race 2000 into a heck of a fun movie (simply called Death Race) starring Jason Statham – who knows, maybe the same can be done here.
What are your thoughts on a Little Shop of Horrors remake? Do you think it’s needed or is this just Hollywood, again, digging needlessly for movies to remake just for the sake of it?
Screen Rant will keep you up-to-date with this remake as more news gets released.
Source: ShockTillYouDrop
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The 1986 remake was a camp classic. I haven’t seen the original, yet. Still, this is one remake I’m actually looking forward to.
i really dont mind this remake, i mean even if its does suck at least we still have the original and the 1986 version
The 1986 version was not exactly a remake per se — it was a screen adaptation of the Off-Broadway musical “Little Shop of Horrors,” which did a takeoff on the original film and 1950s horror film, girl groups, and other cultural artifacts with amazing puppeteering and voice work for the alien plant Audrey II. I saw the show in a little theater on Fourth Avenue in New York, I think that it was the WPA Theater or a former Yiddish theater, with friends. It was great. The film version with Rick Moranis, Steve Martin, etc. was good but not as good, in my opinion.
Shoot me now.
Yeah, the first ‘remake’ had a lot of singing and was quite daft and fun.
Oooh, trivia. In the 1986 one it was Bill Murray who played the dentist’s patient who loved having his teeth fixed. But before that it was Jack Nicholson. Think that might have been his first role (very minor).
Have seen the original, was in black and white. Don’t remember much from it though.
Oh, and there was a Wrong Turn 2. About some kids doing a reality tv survival show and horror ensues. Not a stunner.
I don’t think they will be able to top the 1986 remake. Why…… Because Im a Mean Green Motha From Outerspace……..that’s why. J/K. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Wrong Turn 2 was basically the cheaper version of The Hills Have Eyes 2, seeing how as they had the same Latina in each movie.
HEY! Listen i can’t take this, they need to stop making remakes and start being original-plus what they can do is get David Geffen to bring in the color version of the original ending for the dvd, and thats my best bet for a great remake. If you have seen the original ending, its in black and white, but omg its great. To those who saw the show, you’ll love the original ending, its on Youtube, check it out
okay people need to stop complaining about remakes, i mean they make money and as long as they are hollywood will keep remaking films, besides its not like they get rid of the original film, i mean even if the remake turns out bad then we still have the original to watch
for example: i hate the godzilla remake, but as long as i still have the original then there is nothing to whine about
maybe you right, but i mean they doing the same with Rocky Horror Picture Show, and i mean thats an all time classic, and you knw, why ruin the classic, would u rather want retarded children who are too lazy to see good old films which were original when they can see a stupid remake
The 1986 version is one of my favorite movies, and probably one of the last truly great movie musicals. The 1960 original is pretty good, too. They’re both well-done and very cynical dark comedies where neither the comedy or the darker horror elements threaten to overpower each other (except with the original movie’s abrupt horror movie ending). It’s a difficult thing to pull off well, and I don’t see that happening. They should just let this one be.
I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing a director’s cut of the 1986 movie though (it was supposed to be much darker, with a completely different and much more appropriate ending).
I'm 13 and just discovering Little Shop of Horrors for the first time. It's a good idea cuz I HATED the movies. New generations need one to relate to. But they SERIOUSLY need to keep this into a musical.
Idk i just can’t imagine little shop of horrors without being a remake. I am quite curious of how Audrey II is going to look and who will play the characters(Keith David will probably play the plant)who knows it can be good but maybe not good enough to be the 1986 Frank Oz version
I think They Need to DROP this. don’t pick it up!
Wait until Tim Burton Can Remake The movie-MUSICAL, it would be so awesome! This Movie Should STAY musical!!
Little shop of horrors is my favorite musical ever