Cool News
Dimension Hires Guy With No IMDb Page To Write SHORT CIRCUIT Remake!
Update: Probably would've found Mr. Lieberman's IMDb page had I been looking up <em>Matt</em> Lieberman instead of Tim. Ah, the perils of rushing up a news story at the end of a long day. My apologiest.
Beaks here...
Hey, I don't have an IMDb page either, so I'm not making fun of Matt Lieberman with that headline (who actually does have a rather slender IMDb entry). If anyhing, I'm encouraged by Dimension Films' willingness to issue a press release trumpeting the hire of a rookie screenwriter. If only he'd been hired to write something I want to see.
The original SHORT CIRCUIT is a nostalgic favorite of some, but it's really just John Badham drowning the antiwar message of WARGAMES in Amblin-esque schmaltz. I understand why Dimension would like to revisit the property, but I lost all interest when they brought on the director of HOP and ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS.
But I'm not the audience for this. Like the original, it's a kids movie. But some of you might have more affection for the original than I do, so feel free to unload. Just lay off Mr. Lieberman. Everyone's gotta start somewhere.
Here's the press release from Dimension...
New York, NY, February 2, 2012 - Dimension Films announced today that they have hired Matt Lieberman to pen their family film SHORT CIRCUIT. Lieberman will work closely with already attached director Tim Hill (HOP, ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS) in the reimagining of the 80s classic. Lieberman is a recent alumni of the Disney writers program. Details of the new take are currently being kept under wraps.
“Dimension has had great success with the SPY KIDS family series which grossed over $500 million worldwide,” said Bob Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company (TWC). “We are looking for SHORT CIRCUIT to be our next family franchise and are excited to be working with Matt Lieberman and Tim Hill, who has had great International success with HOP and ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS.”
David Foster, who produced the original, is producing with Ryan E. Heppe, John Hyde and Brian Manis.
Shooting is scheduled for the end of the year with a release in Summer 2013.
The deal was negotiated for Dimension Films by Adrian Lopez, VP of Business and Legal and Matthew Signer, SVP of Production and Creative Affairs; for the filmmakers by Brad Rosenfeld at Preferred Artists and Melissa Rogal at Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Adler & Feldman, Inc.. Lieberman is represented by Rosenfeld, Rogal and Adam Kolbrenner at Madhouse.
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Wouldn't it be fucking awesome if they flew this shit in the face of PC and hired say, Jim Carrey or Will Ferrell to do a ridiculous Indian caricature for no real reason?
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The press release says his name is Matt...
and you are calling him Tim. -
FUCK YOU!!!
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Feb 02, 2012 7:57:31 PM CST
Leave the original the fuck alone. Which is actually
by bedknobs_and_boomsticks
a thoughtful and well-crafted movie, for an 80's kids flick. Far superior to the shit kids movies we get these days.
And, Ben Jabutiya never said he was Indian:
"Newton Crosby: Where are you from, anyway?
Ben Jabituya: Bakersfield, originally.
Newton Crosby: No, I mean your ancestors.
Ben Jabituya: Oh, them. Pittsburgh."
;-) -
Feb 02, 2012 7:57:50 PM CST
I never got why people liked this movie the first time around.
by margot_tenenbaum
It must have been the El Debarge song. Yet another marketing masterstroke from good old TriStar Pictures.
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http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1073238/
That's not the right one? -
Whose only listed writing credits are 2 episodes of Judging Amy and 2 episodes of In Plain Sight. If that's the guy in the press release, he might as well not have an IMDb page.
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Don't know if I've ever seen SC1, actually.
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Feb 02, 2012 8:10:29 PM CST
i only liked it when he went rogue. other than that its a step above Heartbeeps
by gk1
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Feb 02, 2012 8:19:10 PM CST
Does Steve Gutenberg come in and do an anti-semitic joke in this one too?
by menstrual_bloodfart
God I hope so. Take the Jews down a peg or two.
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I need a hero hero hero
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Even I have an imdb page.
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When I woke up this morning, the first thing I thought was, "Dear God, please let there be a Short Circuit movie." Also, I hope they keep all the stereotypes in there, cause that's what really brings it all home. And then, later on that day, my spiritual crisis was thwarted by the boon of this news.
Thank God. Praise Jesus. Praise his mother and step dad, and the deity who raped her. THANK FUCKING GOD! -
Feb 02, 2012 8:31:04 PM CST
Sorry, meant, "Dear God, please let there be a Short Circuit remake."
by neonfrisbee
I'm so excited! More trash! YEAAH! (As the shitslide to de-evolution continues to accelerate to terminal velocity...)
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How can one dude be a group of people?
#LatinFail -
Feb 02, 2012 9:01:09 PM CST
Dear Hollywood: Let's have less Johnny Depp and more Johnny 5.
by jet_jaguar
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Feb 02, 2012 9:06:37 PM CST
They remade it a few years ago. It was called Wall:E
by grammaton cleric binks
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Feb 02, 2012 9:08:03 PM CST
These guys are getting a jump start on the WTF Hollywood column.
by grammaton cleric binks
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Fisher Stevens obviously South-Asian inspired stereotype performance in Short Circuit from 1986 is easily recognized as politically incorrect, yet Peter Sellers' Hrundi Bakshi repeatedly calling out BIRDIE NUM-NUMS while whipping seeds at a parrot in 1968 is generally regarded as comedic genius.
I just wonder, is there a specific year where we figure filmmakers should-have-known-better, and the hillarious became insensitive?
I just like to know when I should laugh. -
just sayin
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Feb 02, 2012 9:25:41 PM CST
@lochkray I always found Peter Sellers' performance in The Party super-offensive. It's why I've never been able to watch it all the way thru.
by jet_jaguar
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Yep, he did.
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Feb 02, 2012 10:01:24 PM CST
So it's another case of "let's see what this movie would look like with CGI
by sweeneydave
instead of practical robot effects". Why do they always think it will look SO MUCH COOLER with CGI? I'm not a huge fan on the original either, but the robot effects was where all the FUN of the movie was.
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Feb 02, 2012 10:19:05 PM CST
I would write a shitty remake for the Chipmunks guy in a heartbeat.
by robram89
It's work as a screenwriter. I'd whip it out in a week and be done with it.
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^^^TRUE
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Feb 02, 2012 10:24:40 PM CST
You know, I might have gotten some wood from this announcement if it were something crazy
by lv_426
like Michael Bay was going to direct a Short Circuit remake (for some reason I think that might actually work), but not when I see that the director of this did Alvin and the Chipmunks and Hop.
Good God.
Seriously...?
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Feb 02, 2012 10:37:31 PM CST
Are the studios seriously TRYING to go under? I don't get it? Will they blame US (The public) again when this garbage fails?
by mentaldominance
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"Oh, time is fun when you are having flies!"
It BLOWS MY MIND that guy was fucking Michelle Pfeiffer in her late 80's/early 90's prime. -
Feb 02, 2012 10:43:07 PM CST
This was back when Arabs were hilarious and didn't blow anyone up
by melgibsoncalledmethenword
Thanks a lot, Bin Laden.
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If I'm remembering correctly, Short Circuit was my first theatrical live-action experience. I remember it both fascinated and terrified me (the robot battle in the woods was the first time I think I ever saw things fighting each other in a realistic context). I've watched it more recently and it doesn't really hold up. Still, it's better than 99% of all "family movies" Hollywood puts out now.
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First of all, it's honestly not that hard to have an IMDb page -- anyone who's shot or worked on some kid's YouTube video can pretty much have an IMDb credit. In fact, I actually have one and it's about as meaningful as counting Harry Knowles as a Facebook friend in regards to your motion picture career.
Secondly, this guy actually DOES have two things going for him that whatever schmuck you're trying to encourage to send in his MATRIX VS. VAMPIRES spec script doesn't: 1) he was involved in the Disney Writer's Program, which means he was WGA eligible ever since his enrollment, plus, he probably got groomed for the Disney Channel, etc., which means he's actually got a job as a writer, and, 2) more importantly, he's got a WGA-underwritten agent. It's not exactly like he got picked at random. -
I don't know...the SCU (Short Circuit Universe) should be left alone...
UNLESS they do what they did with that crap movie "The Thing," where they remake it, call it by the same title, and then continually insist that it is a "prequel."
In that case, I think there are some interesting possibilities for expanding the Short Circuit Mythos. -
My mind is now officially blown.
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Hopefully they pull an Abrams Trek and establish an alternate continuity. I don't see why they should tarnish the good Short Circuit name with a reboot. Maybe establish it as being several years later? Like Tron Legacy? Some cameos?
I just don't see why a perfectly crafted franchise like that needs to be thrown out the window. -
Oh but "kids of the 80's love it". Please
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Which means it'll go through the famous Weinstein slice and dice and come out...bland. And make barely back it's budget. It's all rinse and repeat over there.
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Stupid press release people.
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Stupid me.
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Feb 03, 2012 2:35:28 AM CST
armageddonproductions, so I guess you wouldn't be interested in my epic spec script
by lv_426
about Ghost Rider teaming up with Spawn?
Your loss. -
I always thought of Short Circuit as a Terminator prequel. Johnny Five is the precursor to the T-800.
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Yeah, that robot they built was the sole highlight of the film.
I'd say, haul him out of mothballs and use him again, except I remember seeing him up on eBay a few years back.
Probably in Michael Jackson's basement now. -
Feb 03, 2012 4:19:08 AM CST
The lesson here folks, is, always keep you cell phone with you
by ricarleite4
because you never know when Hollywood producers may call. They are THAT desperate, they are picking out numbers out of the phone book.
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Do they really think going the kids movie route is the right idea? It's funnier to have Johnny 5 interact with adults. If they have it be about kid(s) finding him and it's the whole, he's a weapon, we have to stop him and the kid(s) try to protect him, we've seen that before. Going the whole E.T. route is lame.
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Let me guess, they'll make Ben Asian and have Ken Jeong, since he has no problem playing an offensive racial stereotype.
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That hilarious bathtub scene is one of the few things I remember about the film.... It was a great gag.
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Fucker! How dare he get a first job!?
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As long El DeBarges Who's Johnny is part of it I'm in!
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Need input!
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the guys name is MATT it says it in the press release 5 inches below where TIM is incorrectly written, and multiple Matt Liebermans come up on imdb. So which is it? I feel like I'm reading my middle school newspaper. A simple .07 second fact check would negate the need for this ENTIRE article to be written. Holy shit
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Feb 03, 2012 8:49:51 AM CST
The "Arab" guy was Indian... And America has blown up more people than the entire middle east combined
by garymakin
9/11 was an inside job.
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Feb 03, 2012 9:00:39 AM CST
Robocop remake in the works... Short Circuit remake in the works... hmm.
by spacehog
Surely two terrible movies could instead become one REALLY terrible movie we'd all feel the need to see. Someone at Dimension needs to have lunch with someone at MGM immediately.
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Are you saying, with a straight face, that America has killed more people than the entire middle east combined? Are you forgetting that the United States of America is just over 200 years old? You have GOT to be joking, man. Yes, we have killed a shit-ton of people. But nowhere close, NOWHERE close to what the various populations and the various countries of the middle east have killed over thousands of years. NOWHERE close. I'm not going to be the typical talkbacker here and call you an idiot, but you really should think about it a little harder. You're WAY, way off.
No offense intended, I just don't think you thought that one through.
But if you literally just mean *blown up* instead of killed in all of the possible ways one can be killed, then maybe. Maybe not. -
with kung-fu grip
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Matrix vs Vampires spec script :( Now I have to come up with another "no bodies ever thought of" idea!
Star Wars vs Battlestar Gallactica! -
Feb 03, 2012 10:24:36 AM CST
Gotlik - I was responding to a previous poster and refering to more recent history
by garymakin
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Feb 03, 2012 11:19:24 AM CST
Los Locos kick your ass, Los Locos kick your face. Los Locos kick
by grammaton cleric binks
your balls into outer space. Dude, I forgot how funny that was. Thanks for reminding me.
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Feb 03, 2012 11:35:46 AM CST
I loved the Robot in Short Circuit but NOT the racist Stereotype of the indian guy!
by d o o d
The only thing that would've made it worse is if they had put him in a Turban, Curly Shoes and handed him a Turkish Delights Sword!
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Feb 03, 2012 11:55:23 AM CST
After the last Spy Kids tanked badly (and who's idea was it to make an installment of a kids franchise
by openthepodbaydoorshal
8 years after the last film) , the Wiensteins are looking for the next cheap moneymaker. I'm sure you could easily make a Short Circuit movie for under 30 mill. Then they can milk it for 3+ more sequels?...
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Speaking of which, as a kid growing up in the 80s, I fully expected that by 2012 there would be robots comparable to #5 and R2D2 on the market. Have there been no advancements from the RockyIVbot or the Ominbot in all this time?
I can accept that we're never going to get flying cars or jetpacks (and it doesn't look like ninjas will ever return to their former prominence in popular culture) but why aren't there better robots by now, damn it?!
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Feb 03, 2012 3:10:21 PM CST
the politically correct holier than thou types always make me lmfao.
by danielnocharismacraig
Hypocrites. Practically every other country in the world engages in some form of stereotyping. Why are countries like the uk and the us for example held to some vague moral code while nobody points out the blatant racism in such countries like china for example. I swear this country is filled with just insane crazy people. No one has ever points out the millions of Iraqis killed throughout the 90s and 00s through sanctions and war but will point out every social faux passed no matter how its taken out of context.
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Wow really Short Circuit? So Hollywood is so devoid of original ideas they're remaking Short Circuit. In the words of Charlie Brown GOOD GRIEF.
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Make it a serious action thriller war film, have Johnny 5 as an actual military robot in Afghanistan (or Iraq) or Iran ( cause we all know that's gearing up) killing Muslims until he is struck by lightening, circuits fried, and begins questioning his programing....
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It was a classic show business story.
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I was saying this reminds me of a great line in the MUPPET SHOW which featured the show's lead writer as the guest and, at the end, the two old hecklers comment that "It was a classic show business story." "Yeah, he came to this theatre a nobody, and left it a has-been." Change 'theatre' for 'writing project' and that's about right.
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WHO IS JOHNNY?!?!?
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"Hey Laserlips, your mother performs in brownface!"
The Gutte better get a friggen cameo or I'll gaffle somebody.
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