MGM to Remake Fame for Summer '08 Release

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 7:03pm

"Backstage reports that MGM will bring Fame back to the screen with a remake of the 1980 movie musical about students striving for success at the High School of Performing Arts.

300 producer Mark Canton and Lakeshore Entertainment will be behind the remake, which will be released in summer of 2008. A writer and director are reportedly on board, but no details have been announced. "We'll update it, (but) we'll still keep some of the songs. The script is being written right now, but we are keeping it under wraps. There will be a strong musical component, though," said MGM COO Rick Sands."

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=17639 Updated On: 4/18/07 at 07:03 PM

[B3TA07]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 7:07pm

Maybe I have a reason to go rent the original now.

[withoutlovewithoutU]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 7:26pm

::sob::
One of those movies I hoped that they would never remake.

[silent]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 10:45pm

Mya (Harrison) would be perfect for this. But knowing Hollywood, they'd probably cast Beyonce. *rolls eyes*

[acrocksyo]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 11:01pm

here's me thinking that they are going o cast unknowns,

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 11:06pm

Naw, it'll probably be some kids from the Disney channel/Nickelodeon.

[bschneid76]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 11:09pm

No doubt that is true.

[courtnyj]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 11:10pm

I feel like the only person in the world who hated this movie. Maybe the remake will be better, but I doubt it.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 11:17pm

All I know is the musical, and the musical is lame. I HOPE they cut "tryone's rap." VERY LAME.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 11:19pm

I've been very upset since I first heard this rumor because seeing the original movie was such a moving experience for me. It gave me amazing insight to the world of adolescence and provided me with this fantasy school with the perfect kids for me to hang out with. Nothing will beat the 80s feel to the original and the amazing, fresh, and raw talent who were in the movie. AND nobody, may I repeat NOBODY is ever going to replace Irene Cara as Coco, NOBODY. Some movies should never be remade and this is the best example I can think of.
Updated On: 10/21/08 at 11:19 PM

[violet72]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 9:35am

why? It is not going to work. In the original NYC was such a huge backdrop and it was set in the early 80's or late 70's (I forget) and NYC was a totally different place then. Some of the issues in the first one were shocking because they were never talked about in a movie dealing with teenagers. I mean back then it was shocking to have an innerracial relationship, abortions, homosexuality, suicide, perverts exploiting young impresional girls, drug use. I hope they don't disneyize it and cast people like Hilary Duff. I don't understand at all why they want to remake a groundbreaking classic that influenced many.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 9:58am

jewishboy and violet72, you both nailed it perfectly.

I have a feeling that the remake is going to focus less on the kids and more on the music. I bet it will be one long music video. What made the movie so great was that each character had an interesting storyline and we see them grow over their four years of school.

Every so often, I remember how mad that girl was that auditioned with Leroy. "This was MY audition, Leroy!!!"

Rentboy86, please rent the movie. The tv show and stage versions are nothing compared to the movie.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 10:11am

One of my favorite movies of all time. I agree that the stage version (horrendous) and the tv show do not compare. I can't imagine a remake being as wonderful as the original.

[Craig]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 10:23am

File this movie as one that got it right the first time and I believe doing a re-make will add nothing to it. I'm not "for" sequels per se, but why not just either make a movie about a performing arts high school or do some sort of sequel. Again - not that it would be better.

But I can't for the life of me figure out why some movies are being remade. There was a rumor for awhile (not sure if it's still happening) that they were making The Breakfast Club over again. Why?

This happens a lot in the horror genre lately. For example - The Omen. Why make a sequel?

You want to remake a musical, there are several that got VERY POOR adaptations - remake one of those.

I wonder how far off we are from hearing that MGM is remaking Singin' in the Rain. OYE

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 10:31am

"I HOPE they cut "tryone's rap." VERY LAME"

Although I like the musical, I agree, some songs are just BAD!

But if you see the musical with an open mind, I think its an enjoyable show.

Updated On: 4/20/07 at 10:31 AM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 10:35am

"But I can't for the life of me figure out why some movies are being remade."

Laziness and greed. It's easier to repackage old material than to take a chance on new material.

[Weez]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 10:35am

People have been remaking movies for about as long as movies have existed. And y'know what? I don't really care. Some of my favourites films are technically remakes. If this remake turns out to suck enormously, then yeah, it'll be sad. But we won't know if it sucks until we see it. Sooo... benefit of the doubt, anyone? No? Just me? Ehhh, could've seen that one coming. XD

[Craig]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 10:45am

Weez. I'm not against remakes - when there is a genuine need or new spin that can be put on it. Something that MAKES it worth re-visiting. I'll reserve judgement until I see the remake of FAME. But my initial reaction is that there's nothing new or exciting you're going to bring to the table to exceed the original. The movie itself just doesn't lend itself to a remake. Especially since there have been so many movies SINCE fame that cover similar topics (Center Stage, etc).

A good example. Father of the Bride - very worthwhile remaking even though the original is great. The remake is very different. Additionally - the SOURCE material for both movies is a book. Which perhaps has something to do with the viability of making it "again"

Other movies simply stand on their own. Would you re-make The Godfather? Citizen Kane?

And no.. FAME isn't in that class, but again - offhand, there's nothing new you need to present there. You could easily do a movie about a performing arts high school Camp (good or not) did it...

I'm well aware of greed, name recognition, etc aspect. My commentary was frustration, not lack of understanding :)

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 10:50am

"Other movies simply stand on their own. Would you re-make The Godfather? Citizen Kane?"

I think some remakes are just vanity projects. Did we need a remake of "Psycho" which was a definite "stand on their own" movie?

[Craig]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 11:03am

No. We didn't. And certainly not one that was "shot for shot" as bragged about.

[Weez]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 11:05am

Well, they remade 'The Seven Samurai' and 'Yojimbo' pretty successfully. Granted, with a lovely new spin (ie; not samurai XD) that warranted the remake, but who's to say this remake won't be equally viable? I'm not a fan of dismissing things without giving 'em a chance, so I'm going to see how this one turns out before starting with the wailing and gnashing of teeth. Saves energy that way.

[Zeitoujo]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 1:22pm

can't wait=] im in fame now at my high school as a soloist. great play, so much fun, i love it.

_________________________________________________________________
"a perfect scene from a play unknown, lets play a love scene of our own." FAME, 'lets play a love scene'

[MungoGypsy8232]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 2:26pm

I hope Kristen Bell is involved. She did a nice job with the title song at Emmy Idol!

Kristen Bell on Emmy Idol Updated On: 4/20/07 at 02:26 PM

[kyle.]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 3:29pm

Cashing in on High School Musical.

[Blonde]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 6:19pm

I love kristen bell!!