Russell Brand to Star in Drop Dead Fred Remake
At this point it has become a daily occurrence to hear about a new remake heading into production that makes absolutely no sense at all. Today’s wacky remake involves a cult classic of sorts from the early ’90s called Drop Dead Fred. It stars Phoebe Cates as a young woman who loses her job and her husband and is forced to move back home with her parents, only to find herself re-united with an imaginary friend from her childhood. The imaginary friend is played by UK comedian Rik Mayall. I’m not sure how many people remember this movie, but it wasn’t all that successful then, and I can’t see it being a big hit now either.
The Hollywood Reporter tells us that Universal Pictures is setting up the remake as a starring vehicle for Russell Brand (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), who will obviously play the kooky imaginary friend. Brand’s on the verge of becoming a major star in North America, but I’m not quite sure why he’d waste his time with something like this. The script is being written by Dennis McNicholas (Land of the Lost, The Ladies Man) and produced by Marc Platt (Wanted, Rachel Getting Married). The one interesting thing is that they are planning to “make a film in the tone of Beetlejuice, building a universe around the concept of imaginary friends”. Sign up Tim Burton as a director and I just might be interested. What do you think… does Drop Dead Fred really need a remake?
Comments (14)
First of all, “Drop Dead Fred” does not warrant a remake. Even in nostalgic terms, it’s a mediocre film. Second– I think Russell Brand should actually drop dead. He’s awful.
Posted by Jon Rocks on April 28th, 2009I love Rik Myall from the Young Ones and remember Drop Dead Fred but I never actually saw it.
What I know of Myall and that character though tells me Brand is a perfect casting choice, hate him or not.
Posted by Goon on April 28th, 2009i actually think the original drop dead fred was a fantastic film i’ve loved it since i was a child, rik mayall played the roll fabulously, a re-make isnt necessary because the first was so good
Posted by funkymunky on April 28th, 2009is that a Phoebe Cates sighting, got to go..be back in 5 minutes….
Posted by rus in chicago on April 28th, 2009(2 minutes later) o.k. I’m back
Posted by rus in chicago on April 28th, 2009I loved this movie as a kid, but kind of like Howard the Duck, when I saw it as an adult, it fell flat. I kind of like its dark concept of an imaginary friend who was basically a creep … but most of the jokes were just fart humor from what I recall.
Well, maybe Carrie Fisher can make her glorious return to the silver screen and resurrect her role as the sassy best friend.
Posted by Joel on April 28th, 2009I loathe Russel Brand, but if they really did get Tim Burton to direct this movie i’d go see it just because I love Tim Burton. He brings out imaginary worlds unlike any other
Posted by Rick on April 28th, 2009oh come on people. you’re always complaining about hollywood remaking movies that are actually great and don’t need to be remade. well, here’s a movie that wasn’t great, but was seriously entertaining, and could actually benefit from a remake. i love the original. saw it in ‘91 when it came out and i was 10. loved it then, love it now. and what’s not to love about it? phoebe cates, rik mayall, tim matheson, carrie fisher, ron eldald. the original is great, but it’s dated, and it could easily be remade. seems like a surefire idea for kids. and remember, that’s who this movie was made for, kids. not jaded 20-somethings. and let’s not be retarded here, tim burton is NEVER going to direct this movie. so, let’s just find a good director for kids material and call it a day.
Posted by musicsoup on April 28th, 2009I am proud to say I own a copy of Drop Dead Fred. There is no need to remake it however, because it was perfect the first time around!! russell brand is kind of lame, but i somewhat liked him in forgetting sarah marshall. LAME
Posted by Dane on April 28th, 2009I’m still undecided on Brand. Thought he was pretty good in Forgetting Sarah Marshall but thought he sucked as the host of the MTV awards. Haven’t seen much else of him.
Posted by Choater on April 29th, 2009Drop dead fred is a brilliant film if you are a Rik Mayall fan. I have been since I was a kid and have watched and enjoyed everything the man has put his hand to. I still watch drop dead fred now in my mid twenties and still find the antics fresh. If Tim Burton were to remake drop dead fred then I for one would be happy to see his take on the films surreal and dark world which is suited to him. But russell brand must not be fred! to do that would be a travisty and injustice to Rik Mayall and to the film. Pick anyone else just not that talentless smack head! If Tim Burton does remake it then clearly the excellent partnership of Burton and Depp should continue and I think Johnny Depp would make an excellent more sinister fred.
Posted by rik on April 29th, 2009I really do not understand why people get so angry when they hear about a movie coming out, remake or not. If you loved the original, or if you hated it for that matter, you have the option of not going to see the remake, just like you have the option of not going to see any movie you think might suck. Of course, then you’d have to find something else to bitch about on internet comment boards in a way that makes you look like you have an ounce of wit…i say let hollywood remake every movie ever made if they want…i’ll see the ones that look like they are going to be worth the effort
Posted by tommyboy on August 28th, 2009I LOVED THIS FILM GROWING UP!! snd my nephews and niece love the original it would ruined it if they remade it it would just ruin it ……………
Posted by jessica on October 23rd, 2009i was just wondering if anyone knew when this new movie is comming out, i love this movie and have been trying to find it everywhere and cant find it…its no where ive even tried movie stores to send away for it and apparently no one knows how to get it. if anyone knows plz let me know its a child hood movie i really love and has so many memories and its killing me not being able to find it
Posted by Dianna on November 12th, 2009Leave a Reply