Funny story, actually: growing up, my dad would always take me to the movies, and sometimes he just wasn't all that concerned about those pesky MPAA ratings. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he did. I got to see a lot of great movies. But it is also why I saw Heavy Metal at the tender age of six. My dad saw the voice cast of John Candy, Eugene Levy and Harold Ramis and thought it couldn't be that bad ... but boy was he wrong. So you can imagine my amusement when Variety announced that David Fincher is going to head a film 'inspired' by the cult classic.The original was released back in 1981 and was based on sci-fi and fantasy stories that were published in Heavy Metal magazine over the years. First published in the US in 1977, Metal was known for its over the top sex and violence. The update will definitely follow in the footsteps of the original film (and avoid the pitfalls of the 'sequel' in 2000), and will be an R rated animated film consisting of about eight or nine segments.
Fincher will only direct one of the segments in the film. Other segments will be helmed by Kevin Eastman (co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and Tim Miller. Miller's Blur Studios will also handle the animation for the film. Fincher, Eastman and Miller will produce with Paramount, and the rest of the directors are expected to be signed soon. So what do you think about an update? Can Fincher pull this off? Or are images of chicks riding polar bears with flaming swords best left to van art?
Insert Caption: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian_thumbnail.jpg)
SCOOP: Spider-Man 4 and 5 Might be Shot at the Same Time!
Cinematical Seven: Disney's Awesome Live-Action Kid Adventures
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-14-2008 @ 1:59PM
indecks said...
The original film had horrible animation, even for the 80s, but I really liked it. The premise was really cool. This, just - EVIL force that was eternal and all of the destruction it caused. That was interesting. If this new movie follows that premise somewhat closely, I can see it being pretty good. I say we contact Otomo and have him direct a portion of it too. :)
Reply
3-14-2008 @ 2:51PM
Jerald Brewer said...
Just about anything Fincher does is worth my 9 or 10 bucks although ZODIAC really tested my patience. HEAVY METAL could definitely stand a re-boot, but don't expect any Osacr noms for it.
David, will RENDEVOUS WITH RAMA ever get made?
Cheers,
JAB
Reply
4-30-2008 @ 9:50PM
Geoff Langhorne said...
Why chase a success with a facsimile? These investors are missing the mark by ignoring lifetime achievement winner and original "Heavy Metal" animator Gerald Potterton.
He put a distinctive energy into the original which will be hard to match.
Reply