Will Disney re-make 20k Leagues Under the Sea?
Let’s take a break from the theme parks in this post and have a look at an interesting rumor coming out of the movie studio. We must thank the always great to read Disney Blog for coming out with this one…
In movie news, there is talk going around that a script is being written to remake the Walt Disney classic live action version of Jules Verne’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Seas”. The hope being that it can fill the vacancy left by Pirates in Disney’s summer blockbuster spot. There is even a possibility that a certain captain from the Pirates franchise may snare the ‘Captain Nemo’ role in the film. Sounds good to me.
Let’s put aside the idea of Johnny Depp playing a starring role, and I assume that’s who he means, and just discuss the idea of remaking the Jules Verne classic. The 1954 Walt Disney film is one of his greatest and is largely forgotten by the younger generation of Disney lovers who focus mostly on animation. The very thought of bringing this story to the big screen with modern special effects is enough to get me to spend the money at the box office. It is a terrific and complex tale and can stand up on its own but, is this generation as fascinated with Jules Verne style sci-fi to make it a real blockbuster?
If this film is to work, someone with uncanny acting ability needs the role of Captain Nemo. Though Kirk Douglas was the popular actor in the 1954 version of the film, it was James Mason’s performance as Nemo that really blows you away. Is Depp capable of that kind of performance? Probably, but he may also be hindered by always being viewed as Captain Jack among Disney fans. That’s a tough thing to get around when you played such an endearing character.
Eric said,
July 20, 2007 @ 6:19 pm
I first watched 20K a couple of years ago, and loved it. I told my wife that it would be a perfect film to consider a remake for, in light of all the advances in special effects. With or without Depp, I’d go see the remake. But, I’d prefer with, because he’d such a great actor that really makes each character he plays his own.
One question: would “Whale of a Tale” make the cut? It had better!
Raidermatt said,
July 26, 2007 @ 2:31 am
I agree, a lot of potential in this, but as usual the key will be how they execute the idea.