Remake Of Richard Linklater's 'Slacker' In The Works In Celebration Of Film's 20th Anniversary

Numerous Austin Filmmakers To Contribute; To Premiere On August 31st


Twenty years after Richard Linklater‘s unleashed “Slacker” to the world, a remake of the helmer’s breakout film has been commissioned by the Austin Film Society and the city’s famous Alamo Drafthouse with numerous local filmmakers attached to stand behind camera.

Each scene in the remake “will be recreated, using the original dialogue and locations (whenever possible), and individual scenes will then be compiled to create the remake, presenting the city’s changing face while showcasing some of its most exciting talent” with the result of the collaboration to premiere on August 31st with Linklater present. While the project sounds more like an homage to Linklater than anything substantial, it’ll be fascinating to see what will end up on screen — though, we guess, it remains to be seen whether or not the film will see a theatrical release outside Austin.

The 23 filmmakers/filmmaking teams currently listed for the remake include Miguel Alvarez, Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, AFS Film Club, Austin School of Film, Bradley Beesley, John Bryant, Bob Byington, Mike Dolan, Sam Wainwright Douglas, Jay Duplass, Chris Eska, Paul Gordon, Amy Grappell, Duane Graves & Justin Meeks, Berndt Mader, Geoff Marslett, Spencer Parsons, PJ Raval, Bob Ray, Reel Women UT Chapter, Elisabeth Sikes, Karen Skloss, Ben Steinbauer and David & Nathan Zellner.

Interestingly, the project is also selling executive producer credits, producer credits, walk-on roles and tickets to the premiere. Now, if only they’d go all Kevin Smith and use it to fund that spiritual sequel to “Dazed And Confused” that Linklater’s been talking up. Either way, the Austin native still has the Jack Black-Shirley MaClaine black-comedy “Bernie” due for release later this year and, of course, has his long-term parenthood-childhood tale with Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette still in the works. [AustinFilm]