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Horrors! Director John Landis presses Thriller lawsuit; also, Werewolf remake?
With Michael Jackson tributes flooding the airwaves, it's at least nice to recall the original 1983 video for Thriller, an homage to B horror movies directed by John Landis.
It marked a turning point for the genre, showing that a simple promotional tool could be an artistic entertainment in its own right, and it spawned a dance routine that has been the grist for parodies and homages in everything from YouTube wedding videos to 13 Going on 30 to a Philippine prison yard.
In the wake of Jackson's abrupt death last week comes news that Landis will pursue his lawsuit seeking unpaid profits from the video and a making-of documentary, Variety reported.
Bloody-Disgusting asked Landis about the status of the suit, and here's what he told the site:
"Despite Michael's tragic death, the Thriller lawsuit continues."
Landis added in a statement:
"I was lucky enough to know and work with Michael Jackson in his prime. Michael was an extraordinary talent and a truly great international star. He had a troubled and complicated life and, despite his gifts, remains a tragic figure. My wife Deborah and I will always have great affection for him. John Landis"
Landis also confirmed to the site earlier news that Dimension Films has acquired the remake rights to Landis' landmark 1981 horror comedy film An American Werewolf in London. Landis told the site that it's still in negotiations.
"Yes, Dimension is now in negotiation for the An American Werewolf in London remake rights. Perhaps someone will make a brilliant movie out of it. ... Regardless, my film comes out on Blu-ray this summer and looks amazing. I was afraid the digital cleaning of the negative would result in too clear a picture and hurt Rick Baker's makeup, when in fact the incredibly crisp detail actually makes Rick stuff look even better!"
By tati at 1:31 PM ON 06/29/09
He doesn't need to 'rework' An American Werewolf in London---geez!
I liked the film just fine the way it was. What are they gonna do--just add tons of CGI?
STOP ALREADY! LOL
By Zeeterman at 2:17 PM ON 06/29/09
Huh? John's not reworking anything. Did you even read the article? John would have nothing to do with any remake if it's made.
Someone else would direct.
And the Blu-ray release of the ORIGINAL is coming out. No added stuff, just cleaning up the print.
By Furious D at 2:20 PM ON 06/29/09
@tati
Didn't they do a sequel with CGI werewolves? The film was forgotten pretty quickly, which might be a warning to any potential remakes.
Besides, Dimension is part of The Weinstein Company, which is better at not making and releasing movies than actually making them.
By Lila at 2:44 PM ON 06/29/09
"American Werewolf in London" is one of my favorite movies. When it came out, I saw it repeatedly, and even though I haven't watched it years, I can still quote whole passages. Some lines still come out of my mouth in conversation without conscious thought:
"What's next, Kessler -- Duck's Breath?"
"I didn't mean to call you a meatloaf, Jack!"
"It's-a cold and-a wet out here!"
I'm all for the BR release of the original, but Ghu's sake, leave it alone. Thou shalt not do YARM!
By tati at 3:01 PM ON 06/29/09
@zeeterman
Yes, I read it.
I realize I said 'he' when I meant the proverbial 'they' (Dimension's people) but can't edit once it's sent.
Looking forward to the Blu-ray!
@Furious D
I seem to remember another American Werewolf movie....in Paris, perhaps? Not even sure if I saw it, actually--either I didn't or it wasn't memorable LOL
By Mandy at 5:00 PM ON 06/29/09
The effects were great even by today's standards. The CGI in the sequel was so terrible that it looked cartoonish.
By M at 5:49 PM ON 06/29/09
Hollywood has embraced American style soulless capitalism at it's very worst, anything/everything for a quick buck. Absolutely no creativity, everything is re-makes/re-boots re-whatevers because they think they can make a quick buck. It's so pathetic I've found myself going back to old black&white classic (even so-called "B" movies are better then the crap they're putting out lately) Horror/Scifi through netflix, waaaay better then what they're vomiting up today. And for those who will likely attack me for daring to be-smirch their holy capitalism I say rise up comrades! "death to the Bourgeois!" "Power to the Proletariat masses!"
By Requiem1971 at 1:38 AM ON 06/30/09
Remakes/Retools and so forth aside, I am so sick of people trying to make a buck off Michael Jackson. Even in his death they go after him.
By THe Doctor at 11:32 AM ON 06/30/09
I agree with M, mostly. Suddenly all Hollywood can do is remake 80's movies. I can understand trying, but they make them so hideously bad. The CGI looks so fake compared to the old movies... everything looks like a mindless video game. Enough already, try coming up with a new story. Book writers still manage to do it.
By Bobbi at 1:31 PM ON 07/12/09
Leave Michael alone. His doctors and employees have killed him and now the vultures are circling. Why now? Everyone took and took and never looked to see that he was hurting. I know what cronic insomia is like. It is the worst feeling ever. You will do anything to sleep. So someone should have protected him from himself instead of enabling him. Kudos to Janet, at least she tried. Micheal,
I loved you my whole life. I wish I could have met you. If not here in the next life. Rest now, you accomplised more than anyone could ever have expected from you.
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Bobbi:
Leave Michael alone. His doctors and employees have killed him and now the vultures are circling. Why now? Everyone...More »