As Hollywood gears up for their biggest night of self-congratulation, that also happens to celebrate their finest achievements over the past year, they wasted no time in closing off the week by reminding us that, for the most part, great ideas are few and far between in LaLaLand. Late yesterday we learned that, inexplicably, a sequel to Robert De Niro’s 1989 comedy “Midnight Run” was in the works, and though we’re only getting to it this morning two more pointless reboots are on their way as well.
Over at Paramount, Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary” is being brought back to life (ha ha). For those of you who may not remember, King’s 1983 novel is about “a family that trades the city life for the country life in Maine, then discovers that they have moved near a pet cemetery that rests on an ancient burial ground. When the husband’s toddler son is killed in an auto accident, the father takes the boy’s body to the cemetery, where it is resurrected in demonic form.” As ridiculous as that sounds, it was made into a movie in 1989 largely with a cast unknowns that is perhaps only notable for The Ramones terrible-but-sort-of-endearing title track song (see video below).
Anyhow, apparently a reboot has been in the works for a while and at one point had (we’re guessing a very drunken and desperate) George Clooney circling the project. Thankfully, he’s moved on but the project has been given new life as Matthew Greenberg, who adapted King’s story “1408” is on board to write this new version.
Meanwhile, over at New Line, they’re looking to bring “Police Academy” back for a whole new generation of viewers who want to waste their money. We’re sure we don’t have to remind you about the original movie that spawned a seven film series, but original producer Paul Maslansky, is hoping to capture the audience that watched the TV series, “It’s going to be very worthwhile to the people who remember it and to those who saw it on TV. It’s going to be a new class. We hope to discover new talent and season it with great comedians. It’ll be anything but another movie with a numeral next to it. And we’ll most probably retain the wonderful musical theme.” Wait, there was a TV series? Good luck with this one Paul.