I was very disappointed today when I read a posting here on Slashfilm about the remake of the 1956 horror classic, Invasion of the Body Snatchers. While I initially planned to just post a comment, I realized I had more to say on the topic than just a few lines. It has been awhile since I have written an op/ed piece for Slashfilm, but here I go again.

My objection is that there should not be any more remakes of this classic. There was the very dated 1978 version with Leonard Nimoy and Donald Sutherland. Then in 1993, Forest Whitiker had a role in the version titled, Body Snatchers which updated the story and gave it a very cheesy and ultra happy ending. And now, in addition to other rip offs, we are getting a fourth big screen addition, with The Invasion. As long time Slashfilm readers might remember, I have written several times about the lack of creativity in Hollywood, and this just rams my point home. I can’t believe there is another version coming out.

What really gets me down about it is the level of talent involved. Obviously the Wachowskis have done very impressive work, and can certainly bring talent to this project, but couldn’t they bring that talent to something more fresh and new like they have done in the past with The Matrix and last year’s very underrated V For Vendetta. Of course, right now they are working on Speed Racer so I guess they aren’t exactly going for originality in their careers right now.

But the Wachowskis aren’t the only talented people involved in this project. The film stars Nicole Kidman and Daniel Criag. Kidman has had a very good and long career and Criag’s career has sky rocketed since Casino Royale. I would rather they put their acting abilities elsewhere.

I guess my big question is, “aren’t two remakes enough?”

And I guess the answer would be, “no.”

That is very disappointing to me. Is it too much to ask that Hollywood come up with some fresh new ideas? There are so many sequels coming out this year, films based on novels, graphic novels, and comic books it drives me crazy. Yes, adaptations, sequels and remakes can be very good, but I crave a little balance of more original ideas.