Dan Bradley To Direct Red Dawn Remake Second unit director moving up Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Dan Bradley – long considered to be the finest second unit director in the business – is stepping up to the big leagues of first unit.
The man who’s smashed cars together and co-ordinated jaw-dropping stunts and action sequences on the likes of the Bourne trilogy, Spider-Man 2, and Indy IV, has agreed to direct MGM’s remake of John Milius’ action classic, Red Dawn.
Carl Ellsworth – writer of Disturbia, Red Eye, the upcoming Last House On The Left remake and an adaptation of Brian K. Vaughan’s comic book, Y: The Last Man – will write the script, from a story by Jeremy Passmore. "The tone is going to be very intense, very much keeping in mind the post-9/11 world that we're in," says Ellsworth. "As Red Dawn scared the heck out of people in 1984, we feel that the world is kind of already filled with a lot of paranoia and unease, so why not scare the hell out of people again?"
Now, Empire has been in two minds about the Red Dawn remake since it was announced at the Cannes Film Festival. On the one hand, the movie – which tells the tale of a group of American schoolkids who form a guerrilla army called the Wolverines after the US is invaded by Russia – is ripe for a remake, in the quote unquote current climate. Instead of Cold War Russkies, you can choose from any number of threats to American soil.
On the other hand, Milius’ exercise in machismo is a hugely enjoyable guilty pleasure (although there will be those who disagree with its politics), and is worth watching for the number of breakthrough performances alone. From Patrick Swayze to Charlie Sheen, C. Thomas Howell to Lea Thompson, it’s like watching a John Hughes movie turn into The Dirty Dozen. A remake might sully the original (which was the first ever PG-13 movie, incidentally).
But Bradley’s appointment has gone some way to assuaging our fears. Of course, there’s a risk that Bradley may find the gulf from directing second unit to being the big cheese too great; that he may be able to deliver great actions, but might find working with actors and telling a story more difficult. And, of course, rather than shooting sequences designed to blend in with the style of whichever director he’s working for, now he has to come up with the style of the movie all by his lonesome.
It’s a tough task, but so great has Bradley’s reputation become over the last few years (helped enormously by the Bourne car chases, which secured him the gig on Quantum Of Solace) that it would seem that he can handle anything.
Red Dawn will be just the latest of MGM’s key franchises to get the remake treatment, following The Pink Panther series with Steve Martin. Next up? RoboCop. And if you think we’re torn about Red Dawn, you ain’t seen nothing yet. (Although the news that Darren Aronofsky is under consideration to direct appeases us somewhat.)
L: VijayUK
'Instead of Cold War Russkies, you can choose from any number of threats to American soil.'
Nice one Mr Hewitt. More opportunity for Islam-bashing, pro-America propoganda, and an obvious US/UK military recruitment strategy. You may get what you wished for.on't be silly, anything that casts a more focused eye on religion, Islam being one isn't a bad thing (although I don't think that'll happen here), they're a scourge and an anachronism. As for the supposed atlantic militar... Read More
What's next, a remake of Terminator? Maybe Titanic? Why not just reissue all these films in cinemas instead of wasting money remaking them? I have to say, I've never seen the documentary Red Dawn yet, but is it really worth remaking films from the 80s? ... Read More
bender_rodriguez: Unbelievably, my favourite director is in pre-production for the long awaited 'Thomas Crown Affair 2 (2009).
I wish someone would just give him $200m every 2 years to make sci-fi movies until he drops. ... Read More
'schnerkle' - If you are as smart as I hope you are, you will know that movies are not just movies...there is usually a subtle political slant which is enough to brainwash dummies. But I agree with your cencorship comment. 'bigmurds' - I'll wait for the trailer to see if there are any Swedish sunbathers, and if so then the movie has my £7. Anything more sinister than that, and I'll just buy some booze instead. ... Read More
Oh and if they remake Robcop i will firebomb the studios responsible personally (joking, or am I?? :P)
on another note whats Paul Verhoven upto these days?? ... Read More
Stupidly I Sky+ed this last night instead of Midnight Run, d'oh! I vaguely remember seeing Red Dawn when I was a lot younger and I didn't care for it but after watching it again I can say I'm genuinely dumbstruck.
To start with it had zero character development, you don't know the kids back-stories & nothing they do or go through brings you any closer to liking them or caring if they make it through to the film's conclusion. The Soviet invaders are two dimensional lazy stereotypes. You migh... Read More
Red Dawn is an awesome flick, mainly because of the afore mentioned breakthrough performances. It's like "ooh, there's Patrick Swayze. Ooh, there's Charlie Sheen, Oooh there's that big nosed bird from Dirty Dancing. Ooh there's C.Thomas Howell going completely fucking psycho!" love it!
A remake could be good though, .....but the baddies are a problem! I think the baddies should be from Durkadurkastan.
And Trey Parker should direct! Wicked! ... Read More
Although I'm tired of needless remakes I'm not that bothered about Red Dawn. A Robocop remake, however, is another matter. NO! NO! NO! It's a classic! Leave it! I pray Aronofsky sees sense and does an original project instead. ... Read More
VijayUK,
Are you suggesting that Chris should not even be allowed to mention the fact that America has been or is under threat by any foreign body? Just in case it i] imply that it is in someway relating to Islam?
This is a movie website and contains information about movies. The type of censorship that you're suggesting is far worse than any 'American propaganda' spread by what will probably be some B-rate movie.
... Read More
