Return of Fly! Cronenberg reboots himself!

Aint It Cool is reporting that Cronenberg is working on a remake (or the dread reboot) of his own 1986 remake of The Fly as both director and writer! Really don't know what to make of this - good idea? Bad idea? Brilliant? Bonkers? More to follow but here is the link to the original post.

Videodrome...so much to answer phone

Excuse the terrible Smiths pun but Cronendrome's favourite flick is making an ill advised comeback due to the creatively bereft Hollywood machine. Variety reports:


"Universal Pictures will remake the 1983 David Cronenberg-directed thriller "Videodrome," with Ehren Kruger set to write the script and produce with partner Daniel Bobker.
The producers tracked down the rights to Canadian distribution vet Rene Malo, who will be exec producer. Universal distributed the original and had first refusal on a remake, and the studio snapped up the opportunity.
The original "Videodrome" starred James Woods as the head of Civic TV Channel 83, who makes his station relevant by programming "Videodrome," a series that depicts torture and murder that transfixes viewers. The new picture will modernize the concept, infuse it with the possibilities of nano-technology and blow it up into a large-scale sci-fi action thriller.
Cronenberg has no role in the film as yet. He is prepping for MGM "The Matarese Circle" as a starring vehicle for Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington. Since Cruise appears likely to next star in the DreamWorks drama "Motorcade" and Washington has committed to the Fox drama "Unstoppable," "Circle" doesn't appear likely to get under way until later this year or 2010. Bobker/Kruger Films recently set the thriller "Dream House" at Morgan Creek and is producing, with Matthew Stillman, "The Keep" for Rogue. Kruger co-wrote the June 24 Paramount/DreamWorks release "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" with Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman."


Despair all ye with taste. Still it might revive interest in the original and no doubt be heralded with a wished for blu-ray release possibly with deleted scenes or the TV cut Cronenberg vetoed on the last Criterion release.


On that note someone finally loaded the deleted scenes on to youtube. Like most I have a VHS boot of the TV version but have never got round to transfering it, editing it and loading up the alternate scenes so it's a big thank to a more industrious soul that has and those scenes can now be enjoyed here, here and here. (I will reprint the original feature from my previous website that outlined "alternate scenes" in the near future.) Over and out commander!

CRONENBERG IS "CONSUMED"

Cronenberg's mooted first novel is set to be published in hardback this October through Fourth Estate. No details on its storyline yet but it can be pre-ordered using this amazon link

CRONENDROME RETURNS...AGAIN!

OK, another eight month have passed without a post but life in the Cronendrome is slow. A couple of interesting and sad news items prompt this new post. Firstly the death of Marilyn Chambers, Porn Queen and armpit fanged parasite host of Rabid. This youtube link is of an interview where she discusses Rabid and a full obiturary is here.

Next to the new Cronenberg project The Matarese Circle which seems to be further depressing and dividing admirers of his work. I've got to say I'm always interested in his projects whatever the direction and have always been keen to see what he would do if he helmed a studio A list property. These comments in the Toronto Star give me hope for the project and Cronenberg's approach:

"I think when you get too comfortable, you need to scare yourself by trying something you've never done before," he explains.
"It comes from the same place as wanting to direct an opera, or write a novel, or curate an Andy Warhol art exhibit." Ludlum's book was written 30 years ago, during the Cold War, in a world where cellphones and the Internet were unknown.
"It's not easy to keep all the satisfying elements people expect and still find a way to subvert the genre and surprise the audience," Cronenberg says.
"Usually when I write, I don't visualize the characters, because I want them to have a life of their own, but in this case I am writing it specifically for these two actors. Tom and I get along very well. I was at his house in L.A. a couple of weeks ago, and he's very excited."

Yes it does sound a little too cosy but he is writing the screenplay. Of course it may never happen despite the talent attached (Tom, Denzil and Dave might struggle to make good a $150 million budget).

Finally just received a catalogue for Cronenberg's recent exhibition CHROMOSONES mounted by Volumina, the gallery responsible for the Red Cars project. Cronenberg selected 60 frames from his films and these were manipulated and printed onto canvas under his supervision. Pricey catalogue but interesting with many key Cronenberg associates explaining their interest in each image. Available direct from Volumina's website here