A couple of years ago, word came of a proposed sequel to MIDNIGHT RUN. For those of you that are not familiar with it, Robert DeNiro played Jack , former cop that was pushed out for not taking a bribe (framed for taking a bribe) and was reduced to making a living as a bounty hunter. In the film, he was on the trail of The Duke (Charles Grodin), a former accountant for a major crime boss. Grodin and De Niro had surprising chemistry and the film was a hit. The film was fantastic and is one of my mother’s all-time favorites.
Grodin has retired from acting and has said he has no interest in returning. In general, sequels are a bad idea. But when one of the key players opts not to return, it makes it an even worse idea.
Today, news came that makes me cringe: Brett Ratner is in talks to direct. Brett f**kin’ Ratner.
For those that are not film nerds and do not memorize who made what, Mr. Ratner was the man behind the camera for the RUSH HOUR trilogy as well as X-MEN: THE LAST STAND and THE FAMILY MAN. What, none of those are jumping out at you? Well, that might be because all were either mediocre and sucked. He also stepped down from producing the Oscars after saying “Rehearsing is for fags.”
Handling writing duties would be David Elliot and Paul Lovett, the guys behind the creative juggernaut GI JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA.
A modest suggestion: Leave this classic alone and make a completely new crappy film.
