The 1987 film from 20th
Century Fox, based on the screenwriter’s own 1973 fantasy novel, may have had
an average box office run despite good critic reviews. But in the decades that
followed “The Princess Bride” became a cult classic and fountain of internet
memes, regarded highly by fans and already preserved in the National Film
Registry. So when a Sony Pictures executive interviewed for a profile on the
movie’s producer dropped hints at a possible “Princess Bride” remake, the
original cast and the internet went off on a meme and catchphrase-laden online
campaign, only mollified later when it was revealed the remake prospects were
just talk and not concrete.
It began this week with an article
in Variety concerning the career of
Norman Lear, producer of the “Princess Bride” film. One of those who spoke of
Lear’s work in the industry had been Tony Vinciquerra, CEO of Sony Pictures
Entertainment which has ownership of the 97-year-old film veteran’s production
catalog, including “The Princess Bride.” Vinciquerra mentioned the existence of
“famous names” he would not divulged, who have approached Sony to propose a
remake of the film. When this part came out to the internet, the reaction was
like fireworks.
CNet then reports that immediately comments to the article decried
the possibility of a “Princess Bride” redone with modern cinematic processes
and techniques, paraphrasing many quotable catchphrases from the film. “Inconceivable!”
they exclaimed. Social media was abuzz with notions that if ever the identities
of the remake-interested parties mentioned by the Sony exec were known, they
would blitz their social media accounts with the duel challenge/death threat of
the vengeful swordsman Inigo Montoya.
There’s a shortage of perfect movies in this world. It would be a pity to damage this one. https://t.co/5N8Q3P2e5G— Cary Elwes (@Cary_Elwes) September 18, 2019
Even British actor Cary Elwes,
who portrayed male lead Westley/Dread Pirate Roberts in the movie, expressed
his dismay at the reboot speculation by quoting a famous line from his own
character. In the same vein, actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who is married to
Christopher Guest who portrayed the murderer of Inigo Montoya’s father, chimed
in that the only real versions of “The Princess Bride” are William Goldman’s
book and the film, in which Goldman wrote the screenplay.
Twitter: everyone is my enemy, we will never have peace!— Brian Stevenson (@Ashitaka1110) September 18, 2019
Hollywood: I think we should remake The Princess Bride
Twitter: TONIGHT WE RIDE AS ONE
But if there is any justice in
the world for dedicated anti-remake fans of “The Princess Bride” then it came on
Wednesday, September 18 according to USA
Today. They received a follow-up statement from an anonymous source
familiar with the Sony discussions but under non-disclosure. Said insider noted
that while Sony did entertain talks from these famous names, they are not in
any way working to remake “Princess Bride” soon. Perhaps that will suffice to
make the not-so-positive excitement die down, but one never knows.
Image
courtesy of Variety Twitter
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