Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith are developing a remake of Uptown Saturday Night, reports Variety.
A remake of the buddy comedy "Uptown Saturday Night" that's been in development at Warner Bros. for nearly a decade is getting a push forward. ... David Dobkin ("Wedding Crashers") is attached to direct and exec produce remake of the 1974 buddy comedy that starred Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier. Overbrook partners Will Smith, James Lassiter, Ken Stovitz and Jada Pinkett Smith will produce.
The film followed two estranged friends who have their wallets stolen at a nightclub. The next morning, they learn that one contained a winning lottery ticket, and together, they set out to find it. New pic will likely diverge from the original storyline, and is being eyed as a starring vehicle for two A-list leads such as Smith and Denzel Washington, two thesps Hollywood's rumor mill has long associated with the project.
My first instinct is that Uptown Saturday Night and Let's Do It Again are classics, so why mess with perfection? But with Denzel and Will Smith leading, it could have potential.
Oh and who would play Geechie Dan or Silky Slim?
MY MY MY GOD, I LOVED THESE MOVIES! The chemistry with the original was BLAZIN' AND AMAZING! I am looking forward to what this will look like but I'm excited!!!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 28 March 2011 at 10:12
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Please leave the classics alone!
If Hollywood is desperate for another blockbuster. HIRE BETTER WRITERS! Leave the classics alone.
Posted by: Distant Lover | 28 March 2011 at 11:17
I'd go with your FIRST INSTINCTS! And I CO-SIGN THEM! @Distant Lover, yes IMAGINATION and CREATIVITY does translate into BETTER WRITERS, doesn't it?!?! SMH!
Posted by: Corey | 28 March 2011 at 11:27
It's not about good or bad writers; executives these days prefer reestablished roperties to original ideas. Besides, hundreds of "classic" films have been remade over the decades - and many of those remakes, like "The Wizard of Oz" and "Ben-Hur" have become classics themselves. There wasn't much of a scandal when the Cohens remade "True Grit" last year.
I'd be less concerned that they're remaking "Uptown Saturday Night" and more concerned that they do a good job with the new version.
Posted by: KC | 28 March 2011 at 11:48
i agree that i'd prefer they not remake them. Now Rod, I know that your shoulders are pretty broad, but I think you should continue your film career as Silky Slim.
Posted by: Bill | 28 March 2011 at 12:27
Oh dear.
This is one moveie that they should not mess with.
Posted by: Chitown Kev | 28 March 2011 at 16:16
Oh good. I was afraid I was the only one sick of remakes. What is wrong with Hollywood? Are they that afraid to try something new?
Posted by: FREELEO | 28 March 2011 at 16:32
Is new so few?
Has every thought been thought?
Posted by: Honut Sinti | 28 March 2011 at 18:00
I agree with KC. There are plenty of good writers with original ideas but Hollywood won't take a chance on them. Also, even though they annoy me together, wouldn't it make more sense to have Will and Martin Lawrence together since they're about the same age? Or Denzel and Sam Jackson? I woul like to see Will paired with Don Cheadle. He would calm down Will's cloyingness.
Posted by: Dluv | 30 March 2011 at 21:47