Every time I see David Naughton, my first reaction is to want to break into his "I'm a Pepper" dance, you remember, 1980's teevee commerical for Dr. Pepper? OK. Never mind.
I read today that John Landis is totally selling out-- has sold out actually-- the rights to "An American Werewolf in London" to Dimension Films to remake this unique, funny horror flick--one of my all-time faves. This makes me sad as the original as I suppose I must now refer to it, is perfect as it is. It features state of the art (at that time) effects that when first seen were totally mind-bending and yes, as my becoming favourite go-to website notes, it is uber scary, especially the scene that I've re-posted here (below).
Also, Americans always seen to fail to note that Jenny Agutter also stars in this as the girlfriend. Remember Logan's Run? She starred in that (and lots of other flicks) too. She's quite good.
As scifiscoop.com notes, "Landis wrote and directed the original film about two American backpackers who, whilst hiking in the Yorkshire moors, are attacked by a werewolf. One of them (played by Griffin Dunne) is killed and becomes doomed to remain one of the walking undead as long as the blood-line of the werewolf that killed him remains alive. The other (played by David Naughton) becomes a werewolf and the last of the blood-line who goes on to terrorize London."
Though Landis will retain executive producer's rights, the film as of now has neither a writer nor director which makes me feel even less charitable towards Mr. Landis.
All I can really think is that he does not value the film as he should've and he was tempted by the almighty buck and sold out. Now the remake better be fantastic or awful. If it's simply mediocre I will..it's illegal to make threats right? laugh at Jon Landis.
EDIT/ Aw. Maybe I shouldn't be so hard on him. He's the guy whose career highlights ended in 1983 with Twilight Zone: The Movie. Before that, he did the notorious "Kentucky Fried Movie," " Animal House," "The Blues Brothers," "American Werewolf..." and what appears to be his and Michael Jackson's pinacle of success, the short film "Thiller." If you want to see the list of schlock that the man has fobbed on the world since then be my guest.
Two Americans trudge through the moors where they ahem, have an encounter with a werewolf.
@Dan they were pretty great--deserving of a place in the compendium of memorable commercials.
Posted by: Cyn | July 06, 2009 at 03:37 PM
I loved the Dr. Pepper commercials.
Posted by: Dan | July 02, 2009 at 08:38 AM