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All this has happened before...

Imagine Entertainment Hops On the Dystopia Train With a Remake of George Orwell’s 1984

by Jamie Frevele | 4:01 pm, June 17th, 2012


In news that might not be all that upsetting, Imagine Entertainment has announced that they’re remaking the movie based on George Orwell‘s famous novel 1984. Why is this interesting rather than being outright infuriating? Because this will be the first trip to the big screen for the dystopian classic that introduced us to Big Brother since, well, 1984. Aside from an opera (yes, an opera) in 2005, 1984 has been largely left alone by pop culture. But now, we have a serious crush on a world gone mad with power and chaos of the worst kind. I’m going to say it: This might not be a bad idea.

That’s right, you heard me. I don’t think this is necessarily a bad idea. Is it necessary? No. It’s entertainment. None of it is necessary. But it’s interesting, and probably more relevant now than in the past. And considering how successful The Hunger Games has been as both a movie and series of books (not to mention a new Mad Max on the horizon), it’s a theme that will appeal to a very large audience. To say nothing of the name recognition.

It will be produced by Imagine’s Brian Grazer as well as Julie Yorn (The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Max Payne, and We Bought a Zoo) and Rick Yorn (Gangs of New York, The Wolfman, Boardwalk Empire). Tasked with writing the screenplay is Noah Oppenheim, whose career as a screenwriter is not a typical one; he has a background in news, having previously worked as a producer of Hardball with Chris Matthews and The TODAY Show, and is currently working on other remakes including War Games and the 2010 Swedish movie Snabba Cash (Easy Money). He’s also writing The Secret Life of Houdini, to be directed by Gary Ross (The Hunger Games). And for those of you who are fans of the 1984 adaptation (there was also one made in 1956) and are leery of a remake, Gina Rosenblum, a producer on the film that starred John Hurt and Richard Burton, will executive produce along with, weirdly enough, street artist Shepard Fairey.

No word on a possible release date, but personally, I think this one might be a remake we can get behind. Let the casting speculation begin!

(Deadline via /Film)

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  • Anonymous

    Reason I think this is a bad thing: I get endless enjoyment from seeing people invoke the name big brother in any social/political discussion when it’s transparently clear they have never read the bloody thing. If this gets made, they’d just watch the film…

  • http://roseeclipse.livejournal.com/ Rose Jones

    As long as Hollywood is tackling dystopian futures then I’d like to see them do “Brave New World” as well.

  • Anonymous

    While it is indeed a while since the last straight adaptation, I think pop culture hasn’t been leaving 1984 alone, so much as it’s been mining it mercilessly in other works.  I can’t even remember all the Orwellian dystopia films that came out in the last 30 years: V for Vendetta, Equilibrium, Children of Men, Battle Royale, The Island, etc. Then you have video games like Half-Life, and Big Brother being co-opted for reality television.

  • Anonymous

    Damn–I wasn’t terribly interested until you mentioned Shepard Fairey. Considering that a good adaptation would at least need good visuals for the propaganda, now I’d really like to see what he’d come up with for this.

  • Adam R. Charpentier

    I liked the original adaptation, thought it was spot on, and don’t see the point in a PG-13 remake.

  • Kath

    Considering how ratings have shifted, relaxed and so forth, the original would probably be about a PG-13.

  • Anonymous

    what @Jeffrey:Disqus answered I didnt know that any one able to earn $7257 in a few weeks on the internet. have you seen this site 

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  • Hugh Davis

    Is there significance that you say they are remaking the previous adaptation and not simply creating an adaptation of Orwell?

  • Adam R. Charpentier

    Bony, naked John Hurt will be missed.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1141556552 Jason Dabrowski

    For real, I read the wikipedia entry and it’s rather easy that there aren’t THAT many parallels to today. People try to make it with certain things, like, Facebook or Google, but my understanding is that Big Brother, the whole setup wasn’t a marketing leverage NOR was it optional. 

  • Anonymous

    just as @Randy:Disqus responded I am shocked that a stay at home mom able to earn $8788 in one month on the internet. did you look at this website 

    *Just Click At My name for The Link*

  • Faust

    I wasn’t even remotely excited until… Shepard Fairey. If he will contribute to the visual of the film, it will be a masterpiece.

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