Missing In Action Gets Remake; 63% Less Roundhouse Kicks Confirmed
With the selection of 80’s horror movies still available for a reboot running low, it seems Hollywood is turning its eye on that other mainstay of the decade; the action genre. The most recent remake to be announced is Missing In Action, with the original starring Chuck Norris as a Vietnam vet who returns to the jungle to free American soldiers still being held prisoner years after the end of the conflict. The remake is being co-financed by World Wrestling Entertainment.
I’m a fervent supporter of the WWE banner. Hollywood seems to be concentrating its efforts on effects-driven blockbusters and arthouse character pieces, with medium-budget spectacles getting relegated to direct-to-DVD. The WWE has seen this abandoned niche and is attempting to fill it. Regardless of the quality of the efforts they’ve produced so far, I feel their heart is in the right place, and I look forward to the day when they spearhead a return to straight-up action cinema.
While I’m normally no fan of remakes, the plot of Missing In Action is certainly versatile enough to transplant to just about any time or location and still speak to audiences, the core demographic for the WWE in particular. The obvious concern is whether anyone alive can fill Chuck Norris’ sizable shit-kickers. With few exceptions, the majority of current action stars are less rugged and more urbane. At this point it’s safe to assume that a wrestler will be taking on the lead role. My knowledge of professional wrestling ended with the demise of Piper’s Pit so if anyone has any ideas as to who could fill the beard, or if you feel that, like a sports jersey, Chuck is so great that all his movies should be exempt from remakes, say your piece.
Comments (10)
Chuck Norris destroyed the periodic table.
Posted by Glen on March 9th, 2009He only recognizes the element of surprise.
My guess it will be John Cena since his films have the biggest success out of all the WWE films so far.
Posted by swarez on March 9th, 2009Cena may be the safe bet, but he’s already involved in a second movie for WWE, and I wonder if they’re going to shake things up a bit. After all, though The Marine performed the best of the three WWE films so far, that’s not really saying much.
Posted by Wintle on March 9th, 2009True. But these things have been surprisingly entertaining. I’ve liked all of the theatrical releases which are all a nice throw back to the good old 80’s action madness.
Posted by swarez on March 9th, 2009I couldn’t squeeze it in, but the only one I’ve seen so far was See No Evil, and I really enjoyed it.
Posted by Wintle on March 9th, 2009The Condemned is pretty fun as well.
Posted by swarez on March 10th, 2009Here’s a classic quote.
Ian Breckel: Where abouts in the States are you from?
Jack Conrad: Alaska.
Ian Breckel: Where abouts in Alaska?
Jack Conrad: A little fishing town about 80 miles north of Anchorage. You’ve probably heard of it. Its called Fuck Your Momma.
The Condemned is pretty fun as well.
Here’s a classic quote.
“Where abouts in the States are you from?
Posted by swarez on March 10th, 2009Alaska.
Where abouts in Alaska?
A little fishing town about 80 miles north of Anchorage. You’ve probably heard of it. Its called Fuck Your Momma.”
I already have too many movies in my queue. Participating on this site is just going to add to my woes.
Posted by Wintle on March 10th, 2009Based on the comments in this post, I decided to suck it up and finally watch The Marine and The Condemned. I just finished The Marine, and it’s like someone filmed my dreams.
Posted by Wintle on March 12th, 2009For everyone keeping track of my WWE viewings, I just finished The Condemned, and it confirms my theory that the WWE has the best track record of any film concern. 3 for 3, baby! Here’s hoping 12 Rounds continues the streak.
Posted by Wintle on March 23rd, 2009Leave a Reply