Deadline is reporting that Disney is working on a remake of The Night Stalker, the cheesy horror tv show from the 70′s about a tabloid reporter on the prowl for vampires, werewolves, zombies, and aliens – directed by Edgar Wright and starring Johnny Depp.
Here’s the thing. I’m a HUGE fan of Wright and I think that Depp, when partnered with a strong director, is still one of the most talented actors working today. When left alone or unchallenged? Well…..
Depp’s upcoming movies will now include Dark Shadows, The Lone Ranger, and then Night Stalker.
I’m just sayin’
I can only imagine that he’s also hoping to secure rights to HR PuffnStuff, Fantasy Island, and Shazam! Or maybe a remake of the Gargoyles tv movie with Bernie Casey?
Johnny Depp is now like a middle-aged nerd at a comic book convention, but instead of dressing up in costume and buying collectibles he has the power and the $$ to create the most expensive “fan films” of all time.
Yes, I’m sure I’ll pay $ to see this thing because I have absolute confidence in Edgar Wright…but I’d be much more excited to hear that Wright and Depp were working on a modern and contemporary horror/comedy hybrid that was based on an original script.
And … Night Stalker? Really? Has Hollywood learned nothing from the failures of Land of The Lost, The A-Team, and Mars Attacks? The failed tv reboots of Charlie’s Angels, Bionic Woman, Love Boat, and Fantasy Island? I think time has regularly shown that a fringe fanbase who appreciates a form of entertainment with a sense of irony mixed with nostalgia RARELY translates into anything that contemporary audiences will support.
Again, I hope I’m wrong because I hate to slag on these guys. Still…just… Night Stalker? C’mon!
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But, in a vacuum, the idea of Johnny Depp as a journalist doggedly seeking out proof of the supernatural in a world of ironic danger sounds awesome. In fact, all of those titles you’ve listed COULD be great movies or TV shows. It’s not the concepts that are the problem; it’s the execution. Besides, I can’t blame Johnny Depp for wanting to pay homage to the influences of his youth when someone else is about to destroy any fond memories we may have had OF his youth in the 21 Jump Street reboot.
Execution, yo.