In the last couple of days, word has come that the Brothers Scott are looking to revisit the past. Ridley is looking to his own past, while Tony is eying that of the legendary Sam Peckinpah.
In the case of Ridley, it is his own BLADE RUNNER. For anyone that is not familiar with it (Shame on you!) , Blade Runner was released in 1982. It was Scott follow to Alien and was based on Phillip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
According to a press release, Alcon Entertainment has the rights to do prequels, sequels, television, games, musicals…whatever they think will make money. It appears they brought Ridley on board after securing the rights. No decision has been as to whether this will be a prequel or sequel. So it is not even a case of a good idea prompting this, it is simply a matter of wanting to create a franchise.
Deadline is reporting that Brother Tony has his eye on the 1969 western classic THE WILD BUNCH. Directed by Sam Peckinpah, TWB starred William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan and Warren Oates as aging bandits struggling to deal with the rapidly changing West of of the early twentieth century.
In the case of Ridley, I can see it a little more. No, not see it, it still makes no sense. But since he was the original director, I am willing to give him a little slack. It is likely that this was going to move forward regardless of his participation. Coming on board will allow him to have some control over the quality.
But Tony is putting his grubby mitts on a film that is not only one of the greatest westerns ever made, but came from a true legend in Sam Peckinpah. Tony, you are no Peckinpah. I don’t hate Tony or the films he has made (well, not all of them), but to think he should step into the shoes of a legendary director is just nuts.
Why not do new projects? Pick some exciting fresh script, or option an awesome book? Move forward and leave the classics alone.