Will George Clooney Be Attacked by 'The Birds'?!

by Monika Bartyzel Oct 27th 2008 // 9:03AM

Filed under: Thrillers, Casting, RumorMonger, Remakes and Sequels

First came Naomi Watts as a possible replacement for Tippi Hedren in that long-brewing remake of The Birds. Now a rumor straight from Metro.co.uk claims that George Clooney might play Mitch Bremner. It seems that the original Mitch, Rod Taylor, told the Daily Express: "I often cringe when I hear mention of remakes but I'll hold judgment, especially since I've been told Clooney's the favorite." To add to the displeasure, Tippi herself said: "Can't we find new stories, new things to do? Must you be so insecure that you have to take a film that's a classic and try to do it over?"

Good question, Ms. Hedren. I've been doubly ~~anxious~~ nauseous about the long-rumored The Birds remake ever since word hit that this incarnation might have the birds fighting back against our treatment of the environment. It just brings to mind Jaws: The Revenge mixed with the terrible Psycho remake. But all the time that has passed -- it seemed like a fleeting dream that would wonderfully die in development hell.

And Clooney? I like the guy every which way, but attaching his name to this project would really make me reconsider that statement. Luckily it's still deep in the rumor seas.

George Clooney Photos

VENICE, ITALY - AUGUST 27: Actors George Clooney, Tilda Swinton and Brad Pitt attend the Official Dinner during the 65th Venice Film Festival held at the Piazzale del Casino on August 27, 2008 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Getty Images

(From L) US director Joel Coen, US actor Brad Pitt, US actress Frances McDormand, US director Ethan Coen, British actress Tilda Swinton and US actor George Clooney pose before the screening of the movie "Burn After Reading" directed by Ethan and Joel Coen during the 65th Venice International Film Festival at Venice Lido, on August 27, 2008. "Burn After Reading" is presented out of competition. AFP PHOTO DAMIEN MEYER (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

(From L) US director Joel Coen, US actor Brad Pitt, US actress Frances McDormand, US director Ethan Coen, British actress Tilda Swinton and US actor George Clooney pose before the screening of the movie "Burn After Reading" directed by Ethan and Joel Coen during the 65th Venice International Film Festival at the Venice Lido, on August 27, 2008. "Burn After Reading" is presented out of competition. AFP PHOTO DAMIEN MEYER (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

(L to R) US director Joel Coen, compatriots actor Brad Pitt, actress Frances McDormand, director Ethan Coen, British actress Tilda Swinton and US actor George Clooney pose before the screening of the movie movie "Burn After Reading" directed by Ethan and Joel Coen during the 65th Venice International Film Festival at Venice Lido, on August 27, 2008. "Burn After Reading" is presented out of competition.. AFP PHOTO DAMIEN MEYER (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

British actress Tilda Swinton (R) and US actor George Clooney pose before the screening of the movie "Burn After Reading" directed by Ethan and Joel Coen during the 65th Venice International Film Festival at the Venice Lido, on August 27, 2008. "Burn After Reading" is presented out of competition. AFP PHOTO DAMIEN MEYER (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

VENICE, ITALY - AUGUST 27: Actors Brad Pitt and George Clooney arrive at the opening ceremony and 'Burn After Reading' Premiere during the 65th Venice Film Festival at Sala Grande on August 27, 2008 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Getty Images

US actors Brad Pitt (L) and George Clooney pose before the screening of the movie movie "Burn After Reading" directed by Ethan and Joel Coen during the 65th Venice International Film Festival at Venice Lido, on August 27, 2008. "Burn After Reading" is presented out of competition. AFP PHOTO DAMIEN MEYER (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

5 Comments

Tags: Cinematical, George Clooney, GeorgeClooney, The Birds, TheBirds

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-27-2008 @ 11:24AM

Ray said...

Don't let Shymalian direct it. His last Nature-turns-on-humankind movie wasn't very good.

10-27-2008 @ 12:21PM

AJ Wiley said...

I'm a big Hitchcock fan, but I've never liked The Birds. So if they can do something interesting with it, I'll give it a shot; but it does sound kind of lame.

10-27-2008 @ 2:11PM

Bill said...

I've always liked The Birds and think it gets overlooked since it was Hitch's follow-up to Psycho. But I can think of at least one reason why a remake would be welcome: the clunky special effects. The ariel shots of birds flying over Bodega Bay look about as convincing as your local weather man in front of his weather map.
But nix on the environmental theme. The cool thing about The Birds is that everything remains unexplained. You never find out why the birds go nuts.

10-27-2008 @ 4:04PM

Gary said...

I disagree with Ray, Seen as M Night To Remember Shymalian is the new Alfred Hitchcock and George Clooney is definitely the new Jimmy Stewart I think we could reboot the whole Hitch catalogue with these two.

Then we could move onto Frank Darabont who is of course the new Capra and with the Cloonster still onboard we could reboot all of those too.

When we have finished with those then I would suggest moving Clooney back behind the camera as by then he will be the new Clint Eastwood so we would have to remake unforgiven, maybe get Shia Le Beuf to star.

And who said there is no new ideas in Hollywood anymore?

10-30-2008 @ 9:11AM

ICON! said...

I in most cases hate, with a passion, remakes! I think Tippi said it perfectly. I don't mind them remaking unknown "B" flics from the seventies, but touching CLASSICS is just a sin in my book. Why the hell does Hitchcock need to be remade? it was done superb the first time. As big of a movie fan that i am, the Industry makes it real difficult at times to be a fan. If we aren't remaking films, then we are stealing plot ideas, dumbing them down, and slapping a new "american" friendly title on it. " The problem isn't with the idea of a remake, its with the fact that someone who isn't as talented as the original, will be redoing it."