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Now Up For Remake: ARTHUR, Now Starring Russell Brand!!

Published at:  Mar 02, 2010 12:45:08 PM CST


Merrick here...



Jason Winer, an Executive Producer/Director on ABC's MODERN FAMILY, will direct a remake of ARTHUR from a script by Peter Baynham (a Producer & Writer on the BORAT movie).

The original movie centered on a boozy playboy who is set to inherit a fortune if he marries an heiress his family thinks will make something out of him. However, he falls in love with a working-class woman and turns to his valet for help when his family makes him choose between money and love.

...says THR HERE.

Wonder if we'll get a rap version of Christopher Cross' Oscar winning theme song from the original film:




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    Readers Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 12:47:10 PM CST

    Orcus claims this thread in the name of Guam

    by orcus

  • Mar 02, 2010 12:48:00 PM CST

    Trevor...

    by yeahbigjimmy

    Eat your fudge!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 12:48:39 PM CST

    uh,,,gay?

    by ih8harry

  • Mar 02, 2010 12:48:40 PM CST

    Perfect match of actor to material...

    by epitone

    ...and a doubly perfect reason for me to avoid seeing it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 12:49:11 PM CST

    The idea doesn't make me shudder

    by i87d

    but Russell Brand certainly does.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 12:49:45 PM CST

    Who the fuck is Russell Brand?

    by yackbacker

    I've seen his name on TMZ.com, etc., but I have no fucking clue what that guy does for a living.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 12:50:37 PM CST

    @JackSlater4

    by i87d

    I'm pretty sure Jason Winer didn't get attached 'til this week. So if you knew all this two months, congrats. You're psychic.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 12:51:28 PM CST

    I like it

    by quin the eskimo

    BECAUSE we still have the original.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 12:51:36 PM CST

    Will he play it as himself, though?

    by belasco_house

    Like always? I might actually be intrigued if that's not the case

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 12:51:52 PM CST

    And Jack Slater

    by quin the eskimo

    is my sons name

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 12:55:11 PM CST

    I don't hate it. He was funny in SARAH MARSHALL.

    by flickapoo

  • Mar 02, 2010 12:56:49 PM CST

    He's a dandy Jack Skellington with

    by belasco_house

    bird's nest hair, and a stand-up comedian.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 12:58:42 PM CST

    ARTHUR was fucking hilarious

    by slone13

    ARTHUR 2: On the Rocks was not.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:01:48 PM CST

    John Gielgud was the only good thing in that awful fucking movi

    by johnwaynewasgay

    Russel brand should play the butler.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:10:12 PM CST

    ...his FRESH AIR interview was witty and charming...

    by flickapoo

    ...he thoroughly charmed Terry Gross.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:10:32 PM CST

    Ain't It Old News?

    by karl childers

    Ain't it?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:10:32 PM CST

    Will he get lost...

    by sailor rip

    ...between the moon and New York City?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:18:35 PM CST

    should be much better with all the advances in CGI

    by lettersoftransit

    Because the effects in the old movie seem so dated now

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:18:46 PM CST

    Hugh Laurie should be Arthur! This will suck!

    by rev. slappy

    I love the original but I do think a remake could really improve on the lack of chemistry between Dudley and Liza. But Russell Brand? This will be a complete disaster.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:24:22 PM CST

    I can't stand this guy. Why do they insist on shoving

    by hucksterfinn

    him down our throats. He's always terrible as MTV VMA host.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:25:56 PM CST

    I actually thought this was to do with King Arthur...

    by knighteternal

    ...thought how the **** is Russell Brand in that!....i now stand humbled...and silent....

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:29:51 PM CST

    author's theme?

    by soup74

    the guy who posted the youtube video liked the song so much he had to put it on youtube... but he couldn't be bothered to double check the title of the song.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:32:25 PM CST

    Another week,

    by gameforall

    another remake.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:33:22 PM CST

    What. The. Hell.

    by bigbaldpapa

    Way to take a classic and shit directly in it's face, kick it in it's balls then piss into it's moaning mouth.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:35:38 PM CST

    I actually don't hate this idea...

    by fscottnational

    Even if he's in skinny jeans and has the bird-nest hair, Brand might be able to pull it off. Cast Jenna Fischer as the working-class girl and Stephen Fry as his valet, and I'll watch it on cable...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:36:36 PM CST

    flopping to a theater near you.

    by idrinkyourmilkshake

    God,I can't stand Brand either.He is NOT funny.He is NOT charismatic.He's a lame turkey!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:37:39 PM CST

    KnightEternal, I was right there with you...

    by lang the cat

    Then I remembered who Russell Brand was. I think the Arthurian story might be more fun. A really randy King Arthur who pulls the sword out of the stone as he practices masturbating.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:37:50 PM CST

    JackSlater4, amen on the skinny jeans . . .

    by nice marmot

    . . . They look ok on the ladies, but make "men" look like total pussified d-bags.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:39:54 PM CST

    Folks here are right...

    by bigbaldpapa

    It would not be bad to see a modern take on Arthur. But Russell Brand does not hold an ounce of the charm that Dudley Moore commanded.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:40:40 PM CST

    Might as well be Brand...

    by bigbaldpapa

    We get a futuristic Sgt Rock.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:42:40 PM CST

    Did I just go back in time to months ago when this news?

    by wickedjester

    Should be ashamed when Perez Hilton is getting scoops before you.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:43:23 PM CST

    Oh director attached so now it's news. Meh.

    by wickedjester

    I still stand by my statement.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:44:37 PM CST

    Morgan Freeman as the butler

    by drill

    the most important role and the one they will fuck up so badly

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:48:24 PM CST

    DRilL

    by bigbaldpapa

    With Brand they are already scraping the bottom. Morgan Freeman is far too epic t play costar to Brand.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:50:58 PM CST

    FUCK YOU HOLYWOOD!

    by azultool

    The original is a classic, this is bullshit. That's starting to become a familiar refrain.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:52:03 PM CST

    Fuck this remake

    by colt19801980

    And fuck everybody who thinks it's a good idea...go work for a studio exec.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:52:07 PM CST

    This doesn't work ...

    by threeoranges

    Russel Brand is rich trash. He can't pull off the class Dudley Moore could. The whole defiance of class expectations and arranged marriage bit is going to fall totally apart, because he's already a slob.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:52:43 PM CST

    Meryl Streep to play his butler too.

    by wickedjester

    But I guess that's not important news.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:55:21 PM CST

    Wanna remake some crap, Hollywood?

    by datoman413

    My Mother the Car
    Hogan's Heroes
    F-Troop
    Remington Steele
    Gilligan's Isle
    Far-Out Space Nuts
    H.R. Puffinstuff
    Heckle and Jeckyl
    keep it coming, y'all...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:58:50 PM CST

    goddam this is old news

    by celebritydave

    seriously dudes. im not a film guy that reads all the sites and even i knew this was happening. lift your fucking game. also, thank the lord for your talk backs and the funny bastards that post here.. if not for them, you people would have to get real jobs.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 1:59:38 PM CST

    There are no words...

    by triple_j_72

    "NOOOOO," "Stop it," "This sucks," "boycott," "Jesus Christ," "WTF," ...none of these do it justice.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 2:01:49 PM CST

    John Gielgud had most of the best lines in Arthur.

    by alan_poon

    Meryl fucking Streep to take his place? And I feel ashamed that that talentless prick Brand is British.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 2:05:19 PM CST

    This has been announced a long time ago...

    by eustisclay

    ...I hate the idea. Arthur is my favorite comedy. My friends and I quoted line for years(It would take a real woman to stop you from drinking. It would take a real big woman). I don't know, Dudley was great as Arthur, though he was a litle old for the part. For me, the real problem is the loss of Steve Gordon, the writer-director of the 1st one. He was killed after making it, and you can see how badly he was missed in the sequel. Russell Brand was good in "Sarah Marshall" but really, the only good news about this is maybe we'll get a good widescreen special edition of the 1st one.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 2:10:25 PM CST

    Dudley Moore: Genius; Russell Brand: Scuzzbucket

    by kal reeve

    Brand is arguably the scuzziest guy in current pop culture. While Arthur was a drunk, he also possessed charm, class, and heart. Brand has not shown any of those traits. TO HELL WITH THIS REMAKE!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 2:13:02 PM CST

    Right before this lenses, REBOOT IT

    by idrinkyourmilkshake

    Cast Jack Black as the drunk.Then, cast Russel Brand as Crocodile Dundee.Why? Cause its Hollywood baby!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 2:14:46 PM CST

    If Brand is playing Arthur...

    by the goat

    they should just go for it and cast the worst possible comics. Kathy Griffin as the arranged fiancee, Janeane Garofalo as Liza, Joan Rivers as Arthur's mom (or was it grandmother? eh, either way), and Dane Cook as the butler.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 2:19:48 PM CST

    And Gary Busey as Liza's dad

    by the goat

    I know he's not a comic, but he is comedy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 2:29:48 PM CST

    The goat

    by alan_poon

    You leave Janeane Garofalo out of it. She is someone I have much desired since her Larry Sanders days.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 2:37:56 PM CST

    Hollywood...

    by majorfrontbum

    ...you CANNOT get me to pay to watch your shit on screen. Fuck off, you are a pathetic bunch of miscreants, without a brain between you.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 2:39:50 PM CST

    he is a fucking tool and you Yanks are welcome

    by famouseccles

    to him - hope he dies soon from an OD or STD though.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 2:49:32 PM CST

    Orcus!

    by toadkillerdog

    Too funny dude!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 2:50:48 PM CST

    "He's taking the knife out of the cheese! Do you think he wants

    by toadkillerdog

    Only Dudley cool make that line funny.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 2:51:54 PM CST

    Do you think he wants cheese?

    by toadkillerdog

    see above

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 3:10:58 PM CST

    Is She's out of my League a remake of 10

    by macready452

    cause it looks like it. Trying to top Dudley Moore is a mistake. Replacing Liza Minelli is always a good idea.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 3:29:32 PM CST

    Wait a few more years and shoot this with Michael Cera.

    by royston lodge

    If it HAS to be done, then wait a few more years for Michael Cera's testicles to descend so he can play the title role.
    A grown-up Michael Cera would almost but not quite make this remake not a complete waste of time and excrement.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 3:32:19 PM CST

    Fuck the Liza haters...

    by somerichs

    She was gold in Arthur, and whoever it was up there who commented on the lack of chemistry between Dudley and Liza is a moron, or they didn't actually watch the movie. Arthur is a classic largely because of their chemistry...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 3:34:22 PM CST

    I just wanted to say...

    by grinning white skull

    Susan: A real woman could stop you from drinking.

    Arthur: It'd have to be a real BIG woman.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 3:44:33 PM CST

    kill brand!

    by nightmute

    Hate this guy. My ex loved him, which made me feel like shit.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 3:45:25 PM CST

    Skinny jeans?

    by yourstepdaddy

    ... sounds like some people here have been listenin to JayZ... "dont wear skinny jeans cuz my knots dont fit"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 3:47:08 PM CST

    "Authors" theme??

    by fleshmachine

    lol! great song though.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 3:50:15 PM CST

    Will Katy Perry portray the Liza Minelli role of Linda?

    by thanos0145

    Ian McKellan should portray Hobson, Arthur's butler.Another pointless remake. Hollywood should only remake movies that were BAD, "Arthur" was a good movie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 3:54:06 PM CST

    Heroin addict, belieable, drunk? Nope

    by hatespeech

    fucking shit

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 3:54:55 PM CST

    Aint It Ancient News

    by quantize

  • Mar 02, 2010 4:09:27 PM CST

    Aint it Cool news REMAKE

    by tampabaylightning

    Remake this site, with some talented contributors.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 4:46:34 PM CST

    Russell Brand To Play Bea Arthur

    by fievel

    ......yeah that's as good an idea as this piece of shit remake. The amount of remakes in Hollywood is disgusting and we as a collective audience should be embarrassed for supporting them.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 4:59:18 PM CST

    Remake this site for the win!

    by yourstepdaddy

  • Mar 02, 2010 5:05:24 PM CST

    Didn't you guys report this like half a year ago?

    by themarinebiologist

  • Mar 02, 2010 5:12:34 PM CST

    Is Arthur supposed to be a douchebag this time around?

    by sardonicus

    Nice job, Warners. Another title for the discount rack.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 5:23:30 PM CST

    Russell Brand...

    by fireball xl-5

    ...is this generation's Yahoo Serious. Only Yahoo was funnier.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 5:24:56 PM CST

    "a working-class woman"

    by immortal_fish

    I guess that confirms at least one alteration on the original. Not that prostitutes are ever portrayed with any level of accuracy by Hollowood.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 5:27:08 PM CST

    Russell Brand...

    by immortal_fish

    I don't know anything about this guy, what he's done, why he merits, etc. Never seen or heard him in anything. I think it's because he looks like someone I would thoroughly enjoy watch spill searing hot soup on himself. Just like that "Lady Googoo" or whatever it is.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 5:29:48 PM CST

    Unnecessary. Just watch the original.

    by dingbatty

  • Mar 02, 2010 5:48:15 PM CST

    Dreck.

    by godovhellfire

  • Mar 02, 2010 5:53:59 PM CST

    Brand

    by mel garga

    should play the creepy onlooker in the first-date arcade scene. Or the guy constantly asking for his roll in the diner scene. That's about all the douche deserves.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 6:35:23 PM CST

    The valet in the remake...

    by kubricksbellend

    ...will be played by Russell Brand's ball bag. Hey look, someone's pissing on Dudley Moore's grave.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 6:35:30 PM CST

    PotC4

    by yourstepdaddy

    ...Is he still gonna be a Sparrow? i dunno why i asked here since AICN doesnt speak of that movie unless its bout the same boat we have been seein...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 6:41:49 PM CST

    I'm telling you, the 'Back To The Future' reboot draws near.

    by azultool

    It will be the last swift kick in the nuts to my movie-going generation

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 6:42:09 PM CST

    Russell Brand Vs. Dudley Moore?

    by rabidfnark

    Give me a fucking break. I won't even justify that with a...you know what? Fuck it! I'll say it: Moore has it all over that prissy, unfunny, wannabe-rockstar, son of a bitch! And, yeah, maybe it doesn't need to be said, but how bankrupt for ideas and desperate for more money do people need to be that this seems like a good idea?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 7:05:43 PM CST

    Completely not needed remake

    by rogueleader66

    Nothing about the original will benefit from a modern retelling especially not with this ass clown Brand starring in it. Dudley Moore and Sir John Gielgud are not replaceable by anyone. Won't see this, don't give a rat's ass about it. This is old news anyways, and it aint cool news.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 7:07:15 PM CST

    Immortal_Fish are you 72 years old?

    by disgustin_justin

  • Mar 02, 2010 7:20:51 PM CST

    Brand sucks...

    by powerring

    He is the British counterpart to the equally unfunny and pathetic Tom Greene.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 7:51:20 PM CST

    Russell BLand

    by cricklewood

    A one-note, camp, pseudo-intellectual who thinks he's Jack Sparrow. (only not one-tenth as interesting) Overhyped twat.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 8:06:35 PM CST

    Arthur is an authentic classic

    by mpd1958

    I would like to remind everyone that the original "Arthur" was selected by the American Film Institute as one of the top ten funniest movies of all time. Dudley Moore is dead. John Gielgud is dead. The 80's are dead. Leave it alone.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 9:26:09 PM CST

    G.W.Skull

    by juggernaut125

    GREAT line. If they're going ahead with this, and I don't think they should, I'd pick Tom Wilkinson to play the butler. And Tyler Perry for Liza's part.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 02, 2010 10:17:59 PM CST

    I think the world kinda liked Dudley Moore

    by beyondthunderdome2girls1cupbillcosby

    kinda found him funny a bit sad but ultimately the underdog hero, that's why the movie worked, in that time period. this one seems like it will be forgetable like any other romantic comedy from the last 10 years.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 03, 2010 12:07:53 AM CST

    I can see this casting, BUT...

    by tinkertiw

    ...Russell Brand hasn't been funny since FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL. I love FSM but there isn't a single laugh in the trailer for the follow-up GET HIM TO THE GREEK, which isn't a good sign.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 03, 2010 1:13:15 AM CST

    Ricky Gervais should be the butler.

    by rev. slappy

  • Mar 03, 2010 1:28:15 AM CST

    Peter Baynham has a top notch comedy pedigree

    by penhapus

    which slightly lessens my dread at this remake. Only slightly,mind.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 03, 2010 1:34:55 AM CST

    ARTHUR'S THEME = KILLING ME SOFTLY

    by burnhollywood

    I've been waiting over a quarter century to get that off my chest...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 03, 2010 3:34:09 AM CST

    holy sweet fuck me jesus

    by bendersshinyass

    i always thought the arthur song was sung by a woman

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 03, 2010 5:13:09 AM CST

    Russell Brand?

    by scratchmonkey

    That chap is an unfunny cunt.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 03, 2010 6:54:19 AM CST

    That's actually a damn good fit

    by killakane

    Brand's break-out flick for sure.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 03, 2010 7:43:16 AM CST

    no subject

    by duncandisorderly

    Well, ain't it shit news?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 03, 2010 8:30:48 AM CST

    Would rather see it with Robert Downey Jr.

    by cletus van damme

    And whoever said Ricky Gervais as the butler...genius.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 03, 2010 9:44:17 AM CST

    They'll have to change it too much

    by sonny_williams

    No fucking way that MADD and many other groups will stay silent regarding a movie about a loveable, funny DRUNK. Way too politically incorrect anymore. If you think that'll happen, you must be expecting a remake of BLAZING SADDLES with the original script!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 03, 2010 10:40:28 AM CST

    Cletus -- Downey is amazing choice.

    by rev. slappy

    I'd love to see that movie, Downey's own substance abuse problems would give the comedy a lot more substance. Plus he'd be spectacular in the role.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 03, 2010 11:59:33 AM CST

    Disgustin_Justin, re: "are you 72 years old?"

    by immortal_fish

    No, 39. Which, given the average age here at AICN, still means that I prolly got laid for the first time long before you were born.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 03, 2010 2:58:55 PM CST

    Just found out there going to remake Gilligan's Island.

    by datoman413

    I rest my case. @$##& Hollywood.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 03, 2010 5:00:52 PM CST

    Who's gonna play Hobson?

    by citizen sane

    Jeffrey Rush? Michael Caine? Better be somebody good or fuhgetaboutit!

    Dudley Moore was not a funny man. But he was hilarious and charming as hell when given the right material.

    Russel Brand IS NOT funny. I hope the material is good.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 03, 2010 7:18:49 PM CST

    Thank you, Rev. Slappy

    by cletus van damme

    I see it was you who made the Gervais-butler suggestion. I like that a lot.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 03, 2010 7:21:44 PM CST

    Sonny Williams: MADD was founded a year before Arthur

    by cletus van damme

  • Mar 03, 2010 7:22:33 PM CST

    Iggy Pop as the Liza Minnelli character!

    by scriptgirl_nipples

    It's perfect for him.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 03, 2010 9:36:37 PM CST

    ALL RUSSELL BRAND MUST END IN BROKEN BONES...

    by sexx ed

    ... it's the first rule of cinema.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 04, 2010 12:37:18 AM CST

    Russell Brand is a joke.... And this is a dumb idea!

    by sns

  • Mar 04, 2010 2:33:21 AM CST

    Russel Brand Remakes...

    by tensticks

    This news isn't 2 months old, it's 2 YEARS old. This was one of three remakes he was attached to in the immediate wake of Sarah Marshall. (The other two are Drop Dead Fred--which he confirmed last April, though there's been no movement on it that I've seen)--and ROCKY HORROR, which fortunately has been shelved. Definitely wondering when his 15 minutes are up though. And if he regards Katy Perry as a consolation prize for the fact that it's Lady Gaga he spent all last year's VMA's trying to get into...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 04, 2010 4:02:57 AM CST

    There was a time when Hollywood was interested...

    by hanyoyo

    ...in the better acting and directing talent coming out of England. Now it seems they're willing to take the shit off our TV screens and stink up their movies with talentless hacks! Hasn't America got enough talentless hacks that it need not import new ones?

    Reply to Talkback

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