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6 ways to reinvent Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: Keanu Reeves?
Hot off the film-festival hit Bronson, director Nicolas Winding Refn is entertaining a few Hollywood offers, including a remake of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for Universal. Whether that becomes Refn's next film or not, he filled in a group of reporters on the direction of the remake when he gave an interview last Friday in Hollywood. Here's how he sees a new version of the classic Robert Louis Stevenson story.
1. Make it with Keanu Reeves. Refn said that he'd cast Reeves and that he'd also make this Jekyll/Hyde American.
2. Set it in modern-day America. Stevenson's "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" was published in 1886, and most adaptations stuck to a period tale in London. Not so Refn. "They want to do a modern-day retelling of the same story, which makes it very tricky, because it suddenly elevates the project into something more demanding," Refn said.
3. Base it on real science. Traditional images of the Jekyll/Hyde myth have the doctor swallowing colorful potions to morph into the monstrous Hyde. That won't fly in 2010. "You have a lot of credibility that needs to work," Refn said. "You can't just say things, because we all know you can just Google it, and it will tell you something. They can even Google as they're watching it and know if it's true or not."
4. Amp up the thrills and chills. The traditional Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde stories focus on the scares of Hyde, and sometimes the romance Jekyll tries to maintain despite his monstrous alter ago. With Reeves, the filmmakers may have to action it up. "It's a thriller kind of concept, but what's difficult with Jekyll and Hyde is that it's a concept more than anything else," Refn said. "It's like a werewolf movie or American Psycho. It's the thing we all have, but how do you dramatize that in a new, interesting way?"
5. Bring in a modern screenwriter. Stevenson's story has been adapted by acclaimed writers before. Christopher Hampton wrote Mary Reilly. Universal's remake comes from Revolutionary Road adapter Justin Haythe. "I was asked, but felt that I wasn't the right one," Refn said. "Also, with all the other stuff I had going on, I was almost so overwhelmed that I felt that I wouldn't probably give it the right attention."
6. Hire Stanley Kubrick's director of photography. Jekylls and Hydes have appeared in silent film, black and white, color and television. Refn wants to kick the visual depiction of the story up a notch. "I'd very much prefer to work with Larry Smith, who did Bronson as well and had done 30 years with Kubrick, so he certainly knew his vocabulary very well," Refn said. "Also, he's very good at understanding I'm color-blind, so I can only watch contrast colors. That's why everything's very contrasted whenever I do a movie. I very much like to work with him. And also, because I don't do storyboards, I don't pre-plan. I mean, look, I find locations, but it's not until I come in the morning that I start to figure out how to do it. I'm not the kind of person who sits down beforehand, and that's probably why I've always been reluctant to work with CGI, because every time you do that, you have to come up with all these preconceived visions."
By mykl at 8:19 AM ON 09/21/09
Sounds interesting. I would just get some one other than Keanu. I like him, but at this point I see him I think Neo.
I would get Cillian Murphy… I think he is an awesome fit.
By REDante at 8:25 AM ON 09/21/09
I never truly been a big fan of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr Hyde. Maybe because im too young to appreciate the old movies, maybe because I should read the novel and understand the character depth that is hard to translate into the screen, I dont know.
But I have seen different versions of it that leaves me with low expectations. I've seen Mary Reilly, (I love John Malchovic, but it was just not a cool movie) I've Van Helsing's version, (Too cartoonish and all bad CG), Ive even taken time to watch the modern day tale of Dr Jechyll and Ms Hyde.....(woof). I know theyre making a "blacksplotation" version, I know Peter Jackson, or Del Toro is making their version based in ye old London, and now it looks like they want to make a Michael Bay version......well, they're making 3 movies......1 of them has got to be successful and make me a believer.......
By Pagrin at 8:49 AM ON 09/21/09
If he can't portray one personality, how do you expect Keanu to portray 2?
This is going to such. It's also going to get a lot of hipe and cost way to much money, but mostly it'll just suck.
By anar99 at 8:57 AM ON 09/21/09
The argument that they have to 'tech it up' is rediculous. J&H is about a good man's descent into madness, fueled by drugs. Anthony Hopkins did a version of it back in the 80s and the drug involved was cocaine, which the doctor had access to (he was an eye-surgeon). It made perfect sense. Hyde doesn't have to bulk up like the hulk - he just has to act primitive and vicious, as the dark side of Jeckyl's personality is released. Oh wait! K.Reeves would have to ACT! What am I saying? This project is doomed...
By sboles1701 at 9:00 AM ON 09/21/09
Google it "as they are watching it." If this is home on DVD, OK. But in the theater--yes, I know they *can,* but let's not encourage it. I am getting sooooo tired of trying to watch a movie or play and having that annoying cellphone light hit my face to distract me. Courtesy, folks, courtesy.
By granddiggy at 9:29 AM ON 09/21/09
I can see Keanu as a plausible Dr. Jekyll. the good Doctor in most adaptations is bland, meek and ineffectual. This is not a slur against Keanu Reeve's acting but he can play 'dispassionate' very easily.
With that said, I wonder if he can pull off an emotionally furious psychopath like I envision Mr. Hyde to be. I don't know maybe Keifer Sutherland would be a better choice.
Another tidbit...The BBC produced an excellent mordern day mini-series called "Jekyll" in 2007.The science was plausible. It was scary, humorous and very well written. the film starredJames Nesbitt in the title role and he did an excellent job in the title role. A Hollywood version would have a lot to live up to in the light of this show...................I'm just saying!!
By Eldon at 9:31 AM ON 09/21/09
Forget this project. Watch the British miniseries Jekyll from a few years ago. James Nesbitt is fantastic as a Jekyll / Hyde character. Better than anything Hollywood could pump out.
By David Dvorkin at 10:07 AM ON 09/21/09
What a ghastly, horrifying, disastrous idea.
By ScoBro at 11:04 AM ON 09/21/09
@Pagrin
"If he can't portray one personality, how do you expect Keanu to portray 2?"
So true.. so very true! He butchered Harker, lets let him get another classic.
By IronOre at 11:50 AM ON 09/21/09
So if I get this right, Dr. Jekyll would say "Woah." and Mr. Hyde would say "Dude..."
By ranshiz at 11:57 AM ON 09/21/09
I agree with granddiggy and Eldon, the BBC did a wonderful miniseries of Jekyll with James Nesbitt and it has been far and above the best depiction of Jekyll and Hyde to this date, imo. After Nesbitt's performance and the story of the BBC series, I find it very hard to imagine Keanu as Jekyll or Hyde. Also after much of the pure rubbish that has came out from Hollywood under the concept of remake or reimagining really dashes any hopes I would have for this movie...
By Vano75 at 12:19 PM ON 09/21/09
10 They already have updated Jekyll and Hyde
2) Keanu be better suited to Mr Spoon!
3) Why America?/????
4) Can;'t they stop doing remakes and invent something better????
By scubesteve at 11:47 PM ON 09/21/09
Just watch the BBC version written by Stephen Moffat that was on a few years ago if you want a modern update of Jekyll and Hyde.
If they do make it, do it in the 1880s like the book. That would be cool.
By Anakin McFly at 5:06 AM ON 09/22/09
For those who claim that Keanu can only portray one personality, firstly ask yourself how both Neo and Ted have, by any stretch of the imagination, the same personality. At all.
For those doubting his ability to portray an "emotionally furious psychopath", watch The Gift. Keanu played an angry redneck wife-beater, and many critics - even those who usually bash his acting - consider it among his best work to date.
If you are still not convinced, -> http://whoaisnotme.blogspot.com/2009/05/strange-case-of-fish-in-internets.html
Thank you.
By ARYA at 6:31 PM ON 09/22/09
I was also not a big fan of J&H but setting it current day with Keanu Reeves sounds just like the kinda sci fi I want to see!
By unchienne at 12:04 AM ON 09/23/09
Ugh! Keanu. I think he's sexy as hell, but the man cannot act. He's gotten better with age and practice, but I shudder at the thought of a movie without tons of special effects and explosions to take the audience's attention away from his wooden expressions and performance. Besides, there's already been an excellent revamp of the Stevenson story...BBC's "Jekyll." Modern, hip, and fairly original. They'd have to really wow me to top it, and with Keanu at the helm, I'm not expecting a "meh" much less a "wow."
By goddogx at 5:28 AM ON 09/24/09
keifer sutherland - excellent idea! but don't let his love interest be elisha cuthbert LOL!
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