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Gary Ross to produce a re-make of CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON!

Published at:  Dec 12, 2001 6:03:31 PM CST

Hey folks, Harry here.... I remember when I very first met Gary Ross at the Omni Hotel here in Austin, Texas during the AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL, we sat with his lovely wife and talked about film for hours... Quickly in the conversation it came up that his father was Arthur Ross, the screenwriter of THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON... The idea that someone's dad thought up THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON.... well it was just unbelievably cool to me. Afterall, that was the last great Universal Monster.



About 3 months later on my birthday I received a poster tube from Gary Ross with a reprint of the poster from CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON autographed by his father. It was quickly added to my Creature collection... a series of models, toys, snowglobes, paddleboards and misc. that features the Creature.



This weekend at BUTT-NUMB-A-THON 3 on our Bad-Ass-Creatures Trailer Reel, we had all 3 Creature trailers play... CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, REVENGE OF THE CREATURE and THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US!!! The audience was quite enthusiastic about it!



Now, the word hits from Zorianna Kit and Hollywood Reporter that Gary Ross is going to be producing a remake of CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON. Now as of now, Gary isn't writing or directing it, and the actual article said that no director or writer was attached to it yet, but frankly.... I hope Gary talks to John Carpenter about it because John LOVES the original to death and was trying to mount a remake for years. I know it is one of John's dream projects.



Well, personally I hope they don't try to 'improve' the design, that they just make it more alive... The gills moving better, the movement of the creature faster.... But that Creature is ICONIC to the UmpTeenth Degree! It can not be done better. Keep the DESIGN!!!!!



You can bet that AICN will be keeping its eyes fixed on this project for some time to come....



    + Expand All

    Readers Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 6:08:29 PM CST

    This could be cool / what's the point?

    by patch

  • Dec 12, 2001 6:11:08 PM CST

    Oh boy, another remake...

    by lordhoban

    Haven't they learned their lesson from this past year? I guess no matter how old some get, they never learn anything new...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 6:11:09 PM CST

    At least Stephen Summers isnt involved!!!

    by dariokubrick

    All remakes of classic horror films have been unwatchable.Especially those horrendous Mummy movies.We'll get a cool looking cgi creature and not much else. Bring on the summer of 2003 with the hulk, matrix reloaded, daredevil, and T3.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 6:13:39 PM CST

    No, better yearm 2002, the year of overpriced sequels!

    by lordhoban

    Damn, more sequels than you can shake a stick at.. X-Men 2, Matrix 2, LOTR 2, Blade 2, Starwars 2... and I'm sure the list goes on.. hopefully, for once, it'll be a good time for sequels.. it certainly is starting to shape up that way..

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 6:17:22 PM CST

    Just don't Godzillaize it!

    by hardyboy

    If they're going to remake "Creature," I hope they don't treat it the way Roland Emmerich treated Godzilla--taking away all of the Creature's menace and badassedness and turning him into some sort of PC endangered species chased down by vicious human beings. And Harry's right: the look of the Creature is bloody well perfect and shouldn't be altered.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 6:25:32 PM CST

    What GREAT news !!!!!!!!!!!!!

    by no.6

    Harry....that hit the spot.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 6:26:39 PM CST

    I never thought I'd say this but- DON'T BRING IN JOHN CA

    by blue devil

    I love John's work to death, Halloween, Halloween 2 and The Thing are three of my all-time favorite films. However, his track record the past 15! years has been pitiful. Please leave John out of this unless he's brought on solely as a producer (no writing and no directing). If this was 15 years ago, I'd say "hell yes", now, I don't think so. I'd rather see someone like Twohy involved.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 6:42:23 PM CST

    Underwater footage- groundbreaking

    by dannyocean01

    The underwater footage for that film was truely awe-inspiring, and I don't know if it could any better purely because the gloss of Hollywood would make it look really fake, whereas the footage had a creepy naturalism about it.

    Maybe if Carpenter can regain his Precinct-13 brilliance then it could be good.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 6:55:10 PM CST

    Harry's right

    by silvio dante

    There's no need to mess with the design too much, it's classic. Okay, it's a man in a rubber suit but they make quite elaborate rubber suits these days. But if it's done with low budget and no passion it's just another Blob/Body Snatchers disaster. Big budget or a producer/director who feels passionate enough about the subject matter and this could be cool in ALIENS meets JAWS sort of way. I too fear that John Carpenter is beyond redemption. But we always forgive and hope the next one is the cpmeback hit. Just Imagine: John Carpenter's Creature Of The Black Lagoon.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 7:09:39 PM CST

    Creature from the Black Lagoon (in 3-D?)

    by jim3d

    Ok, its great to hear that an actual remake is planned for "Creature from the Black Lagoon" Part of the original film's notoriety in the 50's was that it was a 3-D film that Universal took a chance on---after the trend had died (Creature was released in 1955). The film, of course, was very popular anyway and the first sequel "Revenge of the Creature" was also in 3-D. By the time the 3rd one was made, many screens were no longer painted silver, which may have had something to do with a non-3D version for that installment.

    As many of your readers may know, there is a move in Hollywood to produce films digitally and avoid film until negative and release prints are ready to be manufactured. This also includes
    HD 3-D image acquisition. Jim Cameron is currently in production on his 3-D large format Titanic documentary which primarily uses HD Digital cameras to get the shots of the Titanic. Word is that the shots of the Titanic look terrific. The other group, Cobalt Entertainment, with years of experience in theme park as well as commercial film projects, has a dual camera HD system that produces stunning 3-D images - possibly the reason we will be seeing 3-D films in large format venues in the future (large format negative is becoming prohibitively expensive to make these films otherwise).

    Now, a really great remake of a film like "Creature from the Black Lagoon" would be outstanding in 3-D. The first film is synonomous with 3-D so why not the remake? Besides that, there are droves of silent 3-D fans out there who will shell out the bucks to see a new 3-D version of "Creature" in theatres and, well, you know who you are.

    Also, appears that the 4 3-D giant screen films that are currently available in 3-D DVD versions (which require electronic field-sequential glasses) are selling...these include "Encounter in the 3rd Dimension" (with Elvira) - with effects that really work including Elvira herself, "Alien Encounter" "Haunted Castle" and "Ultimate G's" which puts
    3-D afficionados in hog heaven.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 7:37:25 PM CST

    ANOTHER remake???

    by insane tiki

    Holy christ, can't anyone write anything original anymore?! What the fuck is the world coming to when every movie coming out HAS ALREADY COME OUT!! The original "Creature" was FINE! WHY do we need A NEW ONE?! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 7:56:47 PM CST

    Gary, Need A Writer/Director For CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON?

    by buzz maverik

    I'm your man, right here! Buzz Maverik! Look that fucking Creature! And I have credits! I write a lot of talkbacks! I wouldn't fuck with the creature design too much, just slime it up some, make it a little less human. Oh, and the Creature wouldn't exactly be the last of its' kind. Let's talk terms, since I'm sure you're ready to call my agent (one Johnny C. who runs Vortext Tours in Sedona, AZ. -- you get a ride on an old school bus to look at the vortext and a peyote button): I get paid for writing, then an identicle payment for directing so double this: one million dollars, a Purdy shotgun and a Chevy Suburban filled with Cuban cigars.
    I also get final cut, cast approval, my nephew Mosh (Rob Zombie hates him) will do the soundtrack, and my friend Eriglione's mother will do craft services (she's the only one in this thing with an actual film credit; her canoli has been enjoyed on several independent sets, but who cares?). I await my checks.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 8:06:13 PM CST

    The concept is sure cool.

    by superninja

    But then Hollywood has a lot of cool concepts and can't deliver on them. The Creature always vaguely reminded me of Swamp Thing from comics, although I know the Creature came first. I would love to see someone like Ed Burton remake it in B&W (but take the concept seriously). This kind of project is right up his alley.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 8:06:51 PM CST

    i dont think this will work

    by yeah i'm a jerk!

    i love the creature from the black lagoon, but i think a contemporary take on the gill man will probably cheapen the character and make me wish that i hadn't wasted my 10 bucks to see this smeg.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 8:10:51 PM CST

    Tim Burton, I mean. TIM Burton.

    by superninja

    He has a knack for doing loners and making them empathetic while providing a twisted fairy tale world for them to inhabit. I would like the timelessness of the Creature to remain intact. Burton in B&W.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 8:11:46 PM CST

    no subject

    by fleagle

    Three words...

    NO

    FUCKING

    WAY...

    My fave monster flick is not going to be updated by some coke-addled studio exec...never, ever, ever. I can imagine the bloody lump of dog dirt this will turn into. Its ok having the son of of the screenwriter of the original (thanks Arthur, you created a cracking story)on a project, but you can imagine the fun and games those "suckers of satan's cock"(thanks Bill H, miss ya!) will have with this flick?

    Teens in swimsuits getting butchered by a bloke..no..CGI abomination "conceptualised" by that overated theopdodododpolopolis fella or whatever he's called, who ruined another classic creature design, with Godzilla. Fekkers!

    Just leave these classics alone!

    They work better in black and white for a start (all horror should be in monochrome)and im not about to have my vhs copy (which was a chore to find by the way, in the high street-lobotomised stores of the UK)of TCFTBL cheapened by some half-witted remake that will be out on DVD the same year it was released in the multiplexes.

    Anyway what do I know, fuck all thats what, I mean all I do is watch these films and fall in love with them..like the original "The Haunting" for example, so my opinion means f-all with the demographic obsessed minions of Hollywood Inc. who take these cherished films and tear the souls out of them.

    One more point, and its a geeky one! Who ever is going to do the remake should get Arthur Adams on board in some form. His adaption of TCFTBL in his Creature Features one-shot (isbn1-56971-214-x Dark Horse Comics ;-) ) was spot on, oh yeah and make sure Jennifer Connely takes on the Kay Lawrence part...only she is worthy of filling out Julie Adams old swimsuit.


    Last point before I retire, somewhat drunkenly to my bed, some one make Michael Moorcock an offer he cant refuse and get Elric of Melnibone greenlighted..quick! while the fantasy irons still hot!

    Steven Mcintosh for Elric (the same actor who should have played Richard in "The Beach", but its too late to start on that one!).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 8:14:46 PM CST

    Does anyone else think we need more black & white films?

    by superninja

    I mean, the Man Who Wasn't There certainly wasn't my favorite film of the year, but gee-whillikers! What a thing of beauty to behold.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 8:27:29 PM CST

    hehe suburban of cuban cigars

    by jeff bailey

    That's from Milius, right Buzz? When he did Clear and Present Danger? Anyhow, I agree that most monster remakes fuck everything up (though Godzilla was a guilty pleasure) and we need some new stuff! Isn't the fun of those great movies that they are in B and W from the 50's? But I do think 3D is the way to go! I just went to my first one at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin and it was a BLAST! I truely hope the previous TBer was correct and the technology has advanced and we can start seeing them. BTW they showed Creature in 3D on TV when I was a kid and the damn glasses never worked!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 8:29:50 PM CST

    In defense of Carpenter regarding the "Creature" project

    by rodzilla

    "The Creature From the Black Lagoon" is one of my favorite Universal horror films too, and it's certainly the one I watch the most. The pace is quick, the story is exciting with its siege plotline and the Creature is an iconic marvel.

    I've been a John Carpenter fan for most of my life, as "Halloween" was my introduction to the modern horror film. We must remember, however, that after the critical and box-office success of "Halloween" pretty much every Carpenter film released was loathed by critics and fans alike during its theatrical run. Even his greatest triumph, that I might argue would be "The Thing," was savaged by critics and (esspecially) genre fans at the time. "Escape From New York," "Big Trouble in Little China" and "The Fog" were all absolutely savaged by the same people who now look back on them fondly. Only his most mainstream film, "Starman" escaped critical brutality, and now it's one of his least remembered efforts. Carpenter's films have always been rebellious, edgy and without regard for current popular tastes. They don't develop an audience right away. If we wait another 15 years, I bet "Vampires" will have a strong cult following similar to some of these previously mentioned films. There are even interesting Carpentarian ideas at work in "Ghosts of Mars": the main character is a drug user, and in fact, drugs become her savior. Drugs allow her the individuality of mind to resist the hive mentality of the invaders. That's not a commonplace view in a typical B action flick. The retro 80s fistacuffs and use of models and matte paintings seemed a little refreshing in today's post "Crouching Tiger"/ "Matrix" world of wire work and CGI effects.

    I had the pleasure of interviewing Carpenter a few years ago before the release of "Escape From L.A." and I asked him about the "Creature From the Black Lagoon" project. Here's the real story. He was ready to begin casting and shooting the film when the studio brought him in and told they wanted to make "Creature From the BLACK Lagoon": a gill-man from the ghetto!!! Some studio executives thought themselves clever for coming up with a blaxplotation comedic take on the film's title. They wanted an all black cast and were sure that hilarity would ensue. Carpenter was completely blindsided with this directive, since he already had a completed script in hand with a more traditional storyline, and asked to be removed from the project. He had a pay-or-play contract with the studio and was paid to leave happily. Afterwards the project fell appart.

    I won't argue that Carpenter's skills behind the camera have faded with age and financial success. It seems many film makers do their most creative work under very limited budgets and intense schedules. Youth and creative energy are critical elements; almost like being in a rock n roll band. Everybody always goes back to your first album or two and dismisses everything else after you become successful. I know I'll be taking the brunt of Talkbacker angst by defending anything Carpenter has done in the last 15 years, but like Harry, I hope he gets a chance to work on the "Creature" project as I know he is passionate about it.

    And before you label me an ass-kisser, let me tell you that I hated quite a few of his films too. "Village of the Damned" just sucked. It didn't need to be remade. "Invisible Man" was a mess. I didn't care for "In the Mouth of Madness" either, since I've seen Lovecraft done better in mucher smaller budget B-movies."Escape From L.A." was as big a disppointment for me as "Phantom Menace" was to many of you. I can watch it as a guilty pleasure, but I wanted more than a camp reworking of the original. I'm still trying to get the image of Snake surfing out of my head.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 8:41:58 PM CST

    Has anyone out there actually seen Ghosts of Mars?

    by horus

    Because if you have you , won't want Carpenter anywhere near a Creature remake!GoM has got to be one of the most pathetic things I've seen in a long time.Vampires was shit.Escape from L.A wasn't even a real film was it?I don't even want to see this creature remade {Im having POTA flashbacks }...but if it has to be done , keep it simple... leave the suit more or less at it was{Guyver Dark Hero: Features a Creature from the B lagoon type homage that would be a perfect update} a nice lagoon set , a boat and a few actors.I've wondered why this movie has been so long in rumoured production , how much could it cost to make?Directors wise.Before he f***ed up POTA bigtime , I'd have said Tim Burton would have been the man for this film.But what about someone like The Crows ,Alex Proyas?He can handle styalised imagery well , and displays quite a bit of emotion.If not him someone like David Cronenberg , might be an odd choice.Hes quite good at twisted , doomed love stuff .

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 8:59:32 PM CST

    Enough of the f*ckin remakes!!!

    by johndogg

    Can't these Holloywood fucks come up with something original? It's either remake of this or a story of famous dead dude starring Russel Bloody Crowe. Cinema is DEAD!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 9:01:10 PM CST

    This news is spurious.

    by mrdunphy

    See, I have it on good sources that Gary Ross's great great great great great grandmother knew something about making flags. See, her name was Ethyl. But enough of this noise, part of the reason why remakes are horrible is because of a lack of rubber masks and puppets. When will Hollywood learn? More masks, more puppets, more fun.
    www.itsthecatsass.com

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 9:56:43 PM CST

    Great NOOOZ

    by monster mash

    Never posted before, feel compelled to. Creature from the black lagoon was one of the first movies i saw with my dad when it was re released for a few weeks in the 70s here in New Zealand, too scary for the rest of the family, felt very grown up ..and it was in 3D!! which i had never seen, cool. It is my favorite creature design, i have a cute little key ring of him about 6 inches high, from the universal monsters collection i think..he has a light in his head..never found a switch to turn it on?. Im sure it started my love of monsters, i was thinking recently what the attraction with these bizarre creatures is? i spend time drawing them, hours trying to animate them, robots and creatures..well we can blame it on our parents for getting us hooked on them while we were young and impressionable....harmless fun?Strange addiction.. Wouldn't it be great if the remake was in the same style, black n white and 3D..bring back 3D!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 10:45:07 PM CST

    Creature Design

    by pagz

    Anyone remember the Creature as he appeared in the 80's movie "The Monster Squad" ? I thought that update worked very well. It was the same creature design that we all know and love, but made much more alive. If they do something like that this'll be super cool.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 12, 2001 11:49:14 PM CST

    Maybe he'll still be in his p.j.'s

    by aquafresh

    Actually I heard they were already remaking "Mummy Returns". Seroiusly though, I saw a supposed design at a model store on St.Marks for a new Creature. Looked kind of the same, but a little Predator like. Apparently this remake has been in the works for years, even went thru a kitchy teen phase script wise. (think Jaws 2). I think pajamas would be nice, ala "Walks Among us" A classy creature for the new mellenium.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 13, 2001 12:27:57 AM CST

    Right On! I just got the DVD

    by x-girls

    and was thinking about how cool a remake would be.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 13, 2001 12:30:13 AM CST

    BRITNEY SPEARS TO POSE NAKED

    by x-girls

    in a PETA 'Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur' poster that should be out by Christmas. Making this a Merry X-Mas, indeed.

    http://www.pagesix.com/seven/12122001/pagesix/pagesix.htm

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 13, 2001 1:57:04 AM CST

    Re: Creature design.

    by horus

    The same FX guy {Steve Wang} that created the creature-sque suit In Guyver Dark hero.. I mentioned in my earlier talkback also created the monster squad *Gillman*He also created the Predator suit{Whilst working at Stan Winstons studios.}So If theyre going the man in a suit path {which they should!} He's THE man to contact.As for the Monster Squad creature ..the body was pretty good , but the changes to the face , weren't so hot .He looked a bit dead fish eyed , too teethy and ferocious , compared to the slightly repulsive, but sad faced original. I saw a drawing of , what I believe J .Carpenter had in mind a while back and it was , more like the snake/cobra man thing from Dreamscape .With a long neck and tail.The head was like a snakes or eel..and the body like a superheroe.It looked like it had strayed wayyyy toooo far from its source.The original creature design is great as it is , resculpted with a little muscle and sinew definition on the arms and legs , a little more detail on the skin.Better eyes and movement to the face and a more exotic {slightly tropical} colour scheme and thats it.its updated.Have Miro Sorivino as the girl he's after ..and everyones happy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 13, 2001 2:19:24 AM CST

    Since this seems to have mutated into a Carpenter talkback....

    by carmillavondoom

    ...I can't believe that no one has
    mentioned 'THEY LIVE.'!!!!
    The *definition* of cheesey fun!
    Forgot that he did Starman.
    As far as CFTBL remake, wish
    they wouldn't, one of the few
    fright flicks I saw as a child
    that really stayed with me. Eerie! (Anyone remember those
    Creepy/Eerie Warren mags?? None
    of my friends here had ever seen
    'em...)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 13, 2001 3:24:15 AM CST

    Oddly enough, William Alland hated the Creature design used in t

    by kingkrypton

    They interviewed him about the original CFTBL in STARLOG about ten years ago, and he bashed the Creature design that ended up on film. He gushed about a "beautiful, horrifying" makeup design he'd pushed for that would have looked like a normal man with fish-like deformities, and how the studio wanted a more bestial design for the character. When told by the interviewer that people loved the final character design, Alland asserted that the design he championed was much better. At any rate, if they're going to remake this, my advice is this: Don't hire John Carpenter (he's losy his edge) or Tim Burton (king of hacks). Hire someone who actually is at the top of his game and will honor the original. Keep the original Creature design, as has been mentioned. Just update the actual costume to make it more fluid and manueverable for the stuntmen. And also, don't cast teen idols or flavor of the month stars in the key roles. That sort of thing WILL ruin the movie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 13, 2001 4:24:53 AM CST

    Keep Carpenter As Far Away As Possiable, Hell Don't Even Let

    by the founder

    Or should that be reimagining? Seriously though it sounds like a cool idea, but I hope they make it more interesting then the oringal, hell I don't see what the big fuss is about, the only thing classic about TCFTBL, was the creature itself. Maybe I'm being to hard, I was a kid, and don't remember to much about the movie, but it was cheesy, and any good changes will be a welcome. I do agree that despite its cheesiness, the creature itself shoud remain the same, but with modern improvments, or at the very least it still be reconizable. This is a project that can and will probably go wrong. I can see it being PG-13, add the Burger King tie-ins, and action figures, I'm not kidding, and were going to have a mess, but who knows, Miss Cleo says it has a 5% chance out of a 100 of actually being worth seeing.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 13, 2001 4:28:34 AM CST

    Damn! I Was Cut Off. The Word After OF is REMAKE, But You All P

    by the founder

  • Dec 13, 2001 5:44:09 AM CST

    does anyone have the creature designs Rick Baker did for the pro

    by monkey_king

    Rick Baker, who recently did some kick-ass(not surprised) work on Tim Burton's PLANET OF THE APES and now the upcoming THE RING, HELLBOY and HULK, did some design work for the proposed Carpenter remake years ago. A protege of his, Steve Wang did a great updatig of the 'GillMan' for Fred Dekker's MONSTER SQUAD, but like a previous poster said "It looked too much like a dead fish" or better yet, a humanoid pirahna. If anyone has the desing work Baker did I'd love to see it, actually I'm sure we'd all love to see what direction Rick was going with his designs.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 13, 2001 5:45:37 AM CST

    Yo, Monster squad gill-man was tight.

    by kung-fu bot

    Especially for the day. Yeah, it wasn't that long ago I know, but for guy in a suite I was impressed indeed. Hands down he was the best monster in that film.
    Hey, yeah, how come no one's said like "The creature has a beer and cheets on his Tuna/octopus/sea monkey/Ariel the little mermaid/Orca/etc. while (literally?) jumping the shark" yet? I've come to expect these things.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 13, 2001 7:44:20 AM CST

    "Hey let's get Tim Burton!" or "Why this is wrong!"

    by dr.zeus

    Creature from the Black Lagoon is hands down the greatest Man in the Monster Suit ever put on film. It was/is still sheer perfection. It shows creativity and skill at a time way before CGI. If ever there was a film that didn't need to be "reimagined" this is it. In defense of Harry about Carpenter. The Thing was a film that had plenty to work with in a remake. I'm crazy about Howard Hawks original, but I'm also crazy about Carpenter's version. There was enough gap between interpretation of the Thing that you could do it again, and do it justice. Not so with The Creature, the original was able to capture all the fear, pity, and humanity in the design alone, and in this age of Planet of the Apes I don't think it's possible to remake CFTBL, and not screw it up. I don't believe Hollywood today is up to the task of taking on the Black Lagoon, and living to tell about it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 13, 2001 8:38:22 AM CST

    just a suggestion

    by brooklyn bred

    We've all seen and been impressed in the past with realistic masks and computer graphics to the point they've become the norm so make sure that the P-L-O-T is good.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 13, 2001 11:12:10 AM CST

    Creature

    by someguywithaname

    I recall that Carpenter's version was initially hyped along these lines:

    He would get John Agar to play some Creationist preacher who goes to the Amazon to discount Darwin by showing that the creature doesnt exist--then he finds it--so he and his followers plan to kill it.
    At the end it is discovered that the creature isnt some remnant of evolution--but waiting to replace humans(shades of Abominable Snowman--a great film).

    But the final Carpenter version script was said to be ludicrous.

    Reply to Talkback

  • I agree with most of you. If you change the look of the Creature very much then it isn't the Creature anymore. A good example to follow would be what Toho did with Godzilla in the 80s and 90s (and continues to do with "GMK" today). It's still a guy in a suit, but the overall design was updated with greater detail and much better scuplting. You look at it and still recognize it as Godzilla. A bad example would be what Tri-Star did with Godzilla in the American version. The results in the hearts of fans speak for themselves. As far as the script written by Nigel Kneale goes, I've never read it, but he was one hell of a science fiction writer. If you have any doubts, just do some research on his career. But one of his scripts was twisted into "Halloween III" too. You can see the Kneale stuff in it (the use of Stonehenge, the druids, etc.) but it was obviously altered quite a bit. None of us can make a good judgement though, because it was never brought to the screen.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 13, 2001 1:59:11 PM CST

    Shades of the "Kong" remake.

    by robinp

    They'd change it ! No question. They'd have to bring some kind of scientist investigating pollution bringing about mutations or something, then, the creature's Amazon home would be under threat due to us humans levelling rainforests. It would never be the simple fun tale told by Jack Arnold. There'd have to be an unwanted "hip" politically relevant message, I guarantee it ! Even the Creature himself would be unrecognisable, and entirely CGI generated. It would end up sucking as much as De Laurentis "Kong" remake. Thank God that they haven't mentioned bringing in Lorenzo Semple as scriptwriter.
    There's a simple artistry to the original. It's undefinable, but it's definitely there. The sequence where the creature is swimming underneath the girl and going to grab at her ankle (which actually inspired Spielberg's look for "Jaws" just can't be beaten. The creature himself, based on an Oscar with fins still looks cool to this day...I know, I'm looking over at my awesome Sideshow "Creature" figure as I type this.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 13, 2001 3:28:14 PM CST

    Here's what they had planned for the Creatures look

    by justice41

    http://gammillustrations.bizland
    .com/monsterart/id8.html
    nothing else to add but just remember POTA.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 13, 2001 3:45:40 PM CST

    RE:Justice41, and The Look From The Website

    by the founder

    Thanks for the info. The design is in the right direction, but it needs to be toned down some, particularly in the face, and the head and neck should be more humanoid, but the body ain't bad, maybe human legs would be better, and not that animal like stance, but it's pretty good.

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  • Dec 13, 2001 4:33:27 PM CST

    Leave the old design and shoot it in B&W.

    by superninja

    It'll be 10x creepier that way. On second thought, this shouldn't be remade.

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  • Dec 13, 2001 5:10:40 PM CST

    Remakes are okay...

    by theshavenmonkey

    I think Sci-fi/Horror movie remakes turn out to be good. Sure, Planet of the Apes was a disappointment, but in correlation with the rest its pretty good. The Mummy remake is good if you watch the o.g. Karloff flick first. Coppola's Dracula is good...no disputing that. So was Branagh's Frankenstein for the most part. If the Creature is gonna be remade there should be no Carpenter (Vampires and GoM ruined him) and there should be no special effects (one of a hundred reasons Mummy 2 sucks). They need to get Stan Winston involved. Animitronics and costume are necessary to get the realism across. Also, get someone talented involved...there aren't many left in Hollywood. Anyway, if they stick to the story or at least the outline for the story, they should be okay.

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  • Dec 13, 2001 10:12:50 PM CST

    Don't remake Creature, do another sequel!

    by directdoor

    Listen, I don't want to see another crappy remake like the horrible Planet Of The Apes stink. If you want to revisit the black lagoon, I'm all for it, but revisit it modern day, years after the first film. Guess what? There's another creature and he's evolved a lil' more. Same cool design, just updated. Have someone like RICK BAKER do the effects, don't let those KNB hacks touch it.

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  • Dec 14, 2001 12:23:03 AM CST

    Dude, that design sketch from the link is pretty damn cool!

    by elgyn6655321

    Maybe not even neccesarily for a "Black Lagoon" remake - it`s just a cool design. I`D definetly be afraid of that thing.

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  • Dec 14, 2001 1:32:32 AM CST

    I'm Still Waiting, Ross! You Wanna Play Hardball? Fine! I Ca

    by buzz maverik

    I thought maybe instead of my agent (Johnny C. of Johnny C's Vortext Tours, Sedona,AZ for $10 bucks you get a ride on a school bus to see the vortext and you get a peyote button) you might have contact my producer Gunthar who sells those 4x4 and hotrod style wagons at the Rose Bowl Swap Meet. But Johnny C. said no and Gunthar has been busy welding all day. Anyway, the Creature could be this great Lovecraftian horror. Anybody else looking forward to the book SWAMPMEN about all the great Swamp Monsters in comics starting with the Heap in the 40s up to the new Swamp Thing? I know I am. Oh yeah, Ross, by the way, you don't have to worry about Creature designs either. I've already got the kid with all the piercings at the comic book store working on 'em. He'll be the designer. My friend Lenny will be the cinematographer. I can handle the editing myself if somebody'll show me how to work the damned thing and one of my ex-girlfriends was a synchronized swimmer so she can play the Creature. Also, if you want to be cheap and avoid "name" actors my friend Glen can play the male lead and whatever wanna-be actress he's currently pooching can play the chick in the swim suit. So we're covered.

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  • Dec 14, 2001 2:52:26 PM CST

    Carpenter!

    by l.a 2013

    Carpenter is The Man to direct this movie. GOM Is a great popcorn movie!And JC is still one of the greatest directors alive!

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  • Dec 14, 2001 4:02:05 PM CST

    Script For Sequel To The Creature

    by ananka

    I wrote a sequel to THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON a few years back - you can read an excerpt at
    http://www.angelfire.com/anime/ananka/creature.html
    I contacted several UNIVERSAL people by email but no response - so, I guess, if they're doing thr dreaded remake, I'm out of luck, eh?

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