Anne Rice’s ‘Vampire Chronicles’ Takes Flight at Universal
Setting up a potential “Twilight”-like franchise, Universal Pictures has acquired movie rights to Anne Rice’s novels in “The Vampire Chronicles” series for Brian Grazer and Imagine Entertainment.YOU GUYS.
According to Variety, Universal Pictures has acquired the production rights to multiple books in Anne Rice’s beloved Vampire Chronicles series, apparently including but not limited to The Vampire Lestat.
The first screenplay they mention within the article is an adaptation of Tale of the Body Thief, which you’ll remember is actually written by Anne’s son Christopher Rice.
The article mentions Interview with a Vampire and the latest book in the series, Prince Lestat, which raises the question of a remake of the Brad Pitt/Tom Cruise version of Interview we’ve all come to adore in its be-wigged glory.
Imagine President Erica Huggins will oversee the films for Imagine Entertainment, Bobby Cohen will be executive producer, and Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman are onboard to produce. The latter two are also known for teaming up on multiple projects such as Transformers, Now You See Me, Cowboys and Aliens, and Star Trek Into Darkness
which worries me just a little.No word yet on any release dates, but since Body Thief sounds like maybe it’s already being worked on, that might be the first to go, I’m not sure.
So. Thoughts? Dreamcasts? General freaking out? Hit me up at my askbox and let me know.
WHAT? WHAAAAAT?
I would love to see a film version of The Vampire Lestat (as long as it was better than Queen of the Damned), but … aaaugh! I am wary of that production team, who would write the script, and dear G-D, so many possible casting pitfalls.
… The Vampire Chronicles would probably work better as a TV series than a series of movies; I’d much rather see the plot of a book unfold over the course of a season, as opposed to seeing it crammed into a 2 hour film : But I honestly don’t think I want to see anything from that production team. Also, IWtV is a classic now. I don’t want to see a remake of it. Ever. It’d be like trying remake The Lost Boys or Amadeus— there are certain films that are so perfect, so iconic that the thought of someone remaking them just makes me feel ill.
I’m…somewhat less pessimistic than the previous commentator. While I think a TVC miniseries would have its advantages, I take the IWTV film as proof that those stories can be executed well in movie form, if handled properly. As for the production team…I like the Star Trek reboot films quite a bit, but I can’t say I’ve heard anything good about the other examples on that resume. That certainly makes me wary.
Regarding a possible IWTV remake, my feelings are mixed. On one hand, I don’t know that I’m necessarily opposed to a remake in principle–not on the level that I would be opposed to a remake of The Lost Boys, at least. On the other hand: for one thing, IWTV simply doesn’t need to be remade. It’s a damn good movie as is, it’s become something of a classic, and it’s not outdated or (in my opinion) flawed enough that it requires or would even benefit from a new version. For another thing, while I’m not opposed to a remake in principle, I probably wouldn’t trust anyone to do it well. (Frankly, I would say of IWTV what I say of other classic films–such as The Lost Boys and even things like Near Dark–whenever I hear people chattering about remake ideas: you don’t need to remake it. Just re-release it.)
I would absolutely love to see a good series of TVC films. If the filmmakers could pull it off. I’m not sure if this news has me more excited or more nervous.
I don’t know that I’m necessarily opposed to a remake in principle… for one thing, IWTV simply doesn’t need to be remade. It’s a damn good movie as is, it’s become something of a classic, and it’s not outdated or (in my opinion) flawed enough that it requires or would even benefit from a new version…
I would absolutely love to see a good series of TVC films.
AGREED
I-want-my-IWTV 