A Crown sequel that's also a remake?!

by Martha Fischer Mar 10th 2006 // 3:00PM

Filed under: Romance, Thrillers, Casting, Newsstand, Remakes and Sequels

Hey guess what, kids - another sequel's on the way! Who could have guessed? Today's feature will be take two, at least as played by Pierce Brosnan. According to a report in Variety, ex-Bond #5 is already on board for the movie, though the presence of his hot co-star Rene Russo is not assured. Now, here's where the story gets weird: word on the street is that the sequel is going to be called The Topkapi Affair. If that strange word sounds familiar, it's because there was a wonderful heist flick made in 1964 by that name - and it appears that Topkapi is going to be the "inspiration" for The Thomas Crown Affair, part 2.

So it's come to this, has it? A sequel to a remake that's also a remake? Seriously? I mean, I actually sort of love the Brosnan version (that, along with my weakness for Sabrina, is my secret remake shame), but this is truly pathetic. I'd say we should boycott, but I'm not convinced anyone will even want to go. By the time the movie comes out, it'll be almost a decade since the success of the "original" - that's an awfully long time to expect us to hold onto our affection for anything, let alone a movie character.

20 Comments

Tags: cinematical, film, movie, Pierce Brosnan, PierceBrosnan, Rene Russo, ReneRusso, sequel, The Topkapi Affair, Thomas Crowe Affair, Topkapi

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-10-2006 @ 3:42PM

Jette said...

There is *nothing wrong* with liking the Sabrina remake, even with liking it better than the original. Or at least I keep telling myself that.

I like caper films so much that if the Topkapi remake/sequel is any good, I won't complain. But I haven't seen the Crown remake yet so I'm not sure what they have to work with. (I didn't like the original Crown much ... thought it was a shameful waste of Steve McQueen.)

3-10-2006 @ 4:32PM

monkeypox said...

seriously? rene russo a "hot co-star"? not only did she look like a plastic mannequin in thomas crown affair, I can't think of a single movie she's been in that I've found her attractive. maybe it's the chin that throws me off. oh well, to each their own.

3-10-2006 @ 4:51PM

Hobojoe said...

** Sigh **

I'll be the one to say it... Brosnan is ex-Bond #5. You've got Connery, Lazenby, Moore, and Dalton. Yes, Sean probably still thinks he'll come back for another Bond flick some day (a remake of Diamonds Are Forever this time maybe?), but let's face it. That's probably not going to happen.

So 4+1=5. Yay!

And I'd also like to add that I think this may actually be a good change for the Bond franchise, as the last one was so forgettable and dull.

3-10-2006 @ 4:53PM

Martha Fischer said...

Gah! The saddest thing is that I left out Dalton when I counted, and he's my favorite of the bunch. Thanks, Hobojoe, I'll fix it.

3-15-2006 @ 8:29PM

kathy barton said...

Sorry guys...but I will definitely be in the audiance. Doesn't matter if a remake, a sequal or an original...Bond or not....the irishman with the blue eyes on screen is enough for me.

3-15-2006 @ 8:48PM

Equis said...

Brosnan was the best post Connery Bond and is technically, #7. #1 was TV/Movie actor Barry Nelson who starred in Casino Royale in the 1950s on TV. Connery being #2 and David Niven, in a non-Saltzman/Brocolli production of Casino Royale, a real spoof of spy flicks in general and Bond specifically, was #3. Lazenby #4 made a good secret agent but not a great Bond. Moore #5 and Dalton#6 are memorably forgetable. How the new guy is, whomever he is, will remain to be seen.

3-15-2006 @ 9:03PM

jioe filkowski said...

I understand Rene Russo is no young actress-but i think her and Pierce make a good combination.I's luv to see them together again-no matter what movie it is

3-15-2006 @ 9:31PM

Art Walker said...

Rene Russo is one of the most beautiful women in the world, and has been for a long time. She was a Super-Model before there was even the word. And Pierce Brosnan was the best Bond ever. The last movie sucked because they tried to make believe that Hale Berry is an actress. Yeah right.

3-15-2006 @ 10:10PM

j barnet said...

Woody Allen screwed up Casinio Royale. It will nice to see it made properly rather than Allen's poor attempt at doing what may be the best Ian Fleming book.

3-15-2006 @ 10:23PM

James M. McD said...

My take on Bond, James Bond, is this: Sean Connery was the BEST out of them ALL. Pierce Brosnan, in my opinion, is the second best. I didn't much care for any of the other ones. I liked all of Brosnan's Bond movies, but I never liked Berry. She's too thin, and I say that she's not a decent actress, mainly because she over dramatizes every single part she plays. Rene Russo, on the other hand is 1. BEAUTIFUL!, 2. an EXCELLENT actress, 3. GORGIOUS!!, and 4. did a wonderful part in the Bond movie she was in. She did a great job in all the Lethal Weapon movies she was in, as well as all the other movies she was in. For one, she has a HOT BOD, a pretty face, a sweet voice, and could outact almost any other so-called "actress" who tried out for the Bond roles, just like all her other roles. (OBVIOUSLY!! SHE is the one who got those parts... not the others who tried out for them! DUUHHHH!!) So, Pierce is a good man for the Bond part, and Rene is a good woman for his love interest. PERIOD!
JamesMMcD

3-15-2006 @ 10:24PM

K said...

Ewwwww, Rene Russo, not even in the top 500,000 most beautiful women in the world. They gotta hire a MUCH younger, PRETTY actress this time around. First movie was good, but 1/2 the theater I was in had to turn their heads and I heard a few people say things like "Cmon Pierce buddy... Why??" an "Naaaasty" as those 2 went at it. Maybe Russo would have been acceptable had the film been made a dozen+ years earlier, but they can attract more fans to a movie using an ATTRACTIVE YOUNG actress; it's common sense. This is 2006, not 1926, and if they're gonna make the mistake of putting AARP's Russo in the sequel, might as well make a new Baywatch starring Joan Rivers...

3-15-2006 @ 10:53PM

Lois Andrews said...

I am a Bond fan, pure and simple. I am also a Brosnan fan and have been since he appeared in Remington Steele. He is a class act on screen and in his personal life. I will definitely be in the audience. Usually I don't view these sites or make comments. In Pierce Brosnan's case, I made an exception.

3-15-2006 @ 11:34PM

Karen Garner said...

well, I think that the Thomas Crown Affair is one of the slickest and sexiest movies I've seen and I will watch re-run after re-run and re-make after re-make for the rest of my life in preference to some of the other drek being ground out by Hollywood.

3-16-2006 @ 12:00AM

Laura said...

Pierce Brosnan is SEXY!!!!!!!! I don't care if it is a remake. I loved him as Remington Steele, and I definitely loved him as James Bond. I can't wait to see the movie. I have watched his movies several times and will do the same when this one comes out on DVD. I hope he is with Renee again. They were awesome together in the Tango scene.

3-16-2006 @ 12:08AM

MELISA E. said...

Okay--Love Brosnan as Bond & as Crown but THe Crown Affair was not that special. Bond is simply legendary and I would much rather see a new action pact, gadget filled Bond movie than a lame remake/sequel to Crown. Unfortunately we have to wait for the film world to find the 'next best thing' for a new Bond #6 & until then the public has to settle for XXX and the like????Help Bond needs reborn!!!

3-16-2006 @ 1:40AM

Debbie said...

Pierce and Renee were excellent in the remake. I loved the scene where the painting was switched. It was one of the most elegantly choreographed scenes I have ever viewed. Will this film be produced by Pierce's production company, Irish Dreamtime? I hope so. Loved The Matador and Evelyn.

3-16-2006 @ 2:05AM

Mark said...

I've been a real James Bond fan for years and seen the differences between the actors portraying the class agent. Sean Connery was the 1st and introduced everyone to Bond, James Bond! Sean Connery made the super agent the way he is now. Pierce Brosnan instantly became #2! He had the crisma, stamina that Flemings wrote about Bond! Roger Moore was #3 and the others-- not a chance! This new bond--- watch out-- here comes the 'TITANIC #2' He will sink along with the movie! Everyone will and expect to see Brosnan as James Bond!

3-16-2006 @ 2:07AM

Dianna said...

I will go see a Pierce Brosnan movie any time, any day. CLASS act!! I've been a fan since Remington Steele as well. (I have a golden retriever named Remington!!!) And Rene Russo IS a great on-screen match for Pierce. Two beautiful and stimulating people. Pierce was great as Steele, great as Bond (although I loved Sean Connery too), and great as Thomas Crown. I'll continue to give my $$$ to the box office when Pierce Brosnan is featured, no matter whether remake, original, or whatever!

3-16-2006 @ 5:04AM

D J said...

There was and is only ONE James Bond, Sean Connery! He has no replacement, "NOBODY DOES IT BETTER". All the other Bonds were pathetic. Connery just keeps getting better & better. But Brosnan has carved out his own niche with Remington Steele & all his other roles. I absolutely love his style and class, I could run away & get lost with a man like him. Oh Yeah! He has one lucky wife. He and Russo were the totally coolest couple; I hope to see them paired together again very soon.

3-21-2006 @ 1:09PM

Lynn said...

Very curious how Casino Royale will do at the box office. You either like Daniel Craig or Pierce Brosnan. For me, it's Pierce all the way. Brosnan is a good enough actor that he could have taken Bond in the new direction. What they should have done was hire a much younger man to play the young Bond through the use of flashbacks so that audiences would better accept the new actor to play Bond more readily. While I love Brosnan, Casino Royale should have been the last time for him due to his age.

As for Renee Russo playing his onscreen partner again in the sequel, I would love to see it. Realistically however, you always have to consider the box office. If the movie has half a chance to make money they will have to hire a younger actress. Uma Thurman or someone like her should be considered.