| Author |
Message |
|
Johnny Larue
Second Unit Director
Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2012 8:21 pm Posts: 207 Location: Milwaukee, WI (USA)
|
 Sequel to Casablanca?
http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-tal ... 59846.htmlYes, there is a script. But does that really mean a sequel to the Oscar-winning silver screen classic "Casablanca" -- which has topped several best movies of all-time lists -- will actually get made?
The answer is not yet clear. But its chances seem better now more than ever.
That's because one person related to the 70-year-old movie wants it to happen. That person is movie producer Cass Warner, granddaughter of Warner Bros. co-founder Harry Warner -- the man who presumably gave the green light on the iconic film.
Ironically, there's another "Casablanca" descendant who has voiced opposition to a sequel -- Humphrey Bogart's son, Stephen, who thinks it would tarnish the memory of the famous film. "There are certain films, like 'The Wizard of Oz,' 'Gone with the Wind' and, of course, 'Casablanca,' that need to stay as pristine and perfect as they are," he told the NY Post in a piece about Warner's campaign for a sequel.
Incidentally, "Casablanca" sequels have been bandied about for years but never really made it past the treatment phase, according to TIME.
Here is what we see as the pros and cons of a "Casablanca" sequel:
Pro: The script is by the original "Casablanca" writer. Warner not only has a script, but she has the treatment to a sequel written by original "Casablanca" screenwriter Howard Koch. She discovered the work, written in 1980, in his Woodstock, New York, home after the two became friends in his screenwriting class. "It was just gold," Warner told EW in a recent interview. "When he pulled that out and showed it to me, I almost fainted."
Con: Stars of the sequel will be under a microscope. How can anyone hold a candle to Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman? The fear Warner Bros. may have right now is that any star -- no matter how talented --will likely be harshly judged against their iconic predecessors.
Pro: The original left everyone wanting more. "Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship," Rick Blaine (Bogart) says in the last line in "Casablanca." Audiences were, and always have been, left wanting to see what happens next.
Con: Those famous one-liners can't be matched. "Here's looking at you, kid." "We'll always have Paris." -- Even though 'ol Koch probably has some good ones in his back pocket, new one-liners run the heavy risk of seeming cliche as time has gone by.
Another count against the sequel is that Hollywood doesn't have the best track record in revisiting classics. The 1995 remake of another Bogart film, "Sabrina," starring Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond, failed to make back its budget at the box office (though it was nominated for two Oscars). Also, the litany of ambitious "Wizard of Oz" remakes and spinoffs -- including "The Wiz" (1978) and "Return to Oz" (1985) -- over the years haven't matched the enduring financial and artistic force of the original film version starring Judy Garland (but it should be noted the original wasn't an instant hit). Perhaps this is also a daunting sign for Sam Raimi's upcoming "Oz: The Great and Powerful" starring Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and James Franco.
"Return to Casablanca" is the working title of Koch's treatment. The story revolves around Ilsa (originally played by Bergman) and Victor Laslo's search for Rick (Bogart) who had joined Free French forces that opposed a Nazi general in North Africa. Turns out, Ilsa had Rick's son. Nope, the kid wasn't her husband Laslo's. According to the treatment, Ilsa's son, now in his twenties, is "handsome, tough-tender young man reminiscent of his father."Put me down as one who would find this unnecessary, though they have the right to make it and piss away whatever dough they want.
|
| Thu Nov 08, 2012 10:29 am |
|
 |
|
Vexer
Assistant Director
Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2012 12:02 pm Posts: 992 Location: Zion, IL
|
 Re: Sequel to Casablanca?
I'm one of the few people in existence who wasn't blown away by Casablance(didn't hate it but didn't love it either) so i'm indifferent as to whether this happens or not, though I will say that the new Oz films looks incredibly bland. Another re-imagining i'm not looking forward to is Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters, which looks absolutely horrible judging by the trailer.
|
| Thu Nov 08, 2012 12:54 pm |
|
 |
|
p604
Assistant Second Unit Director
Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2012 9:17 am Posts: 89
|
 Re: Sequel to Casablanca?
They have remade "Casablanca". It's called "barb Wire".
It can also be argued that Casablamca was an accident. They scripts kept changing, all the cast kept changing. Nobody had any faith in the film while it was being made. This would need to be repeated for the magci to happen again. I can't see this.
So no. Leave Casablanca alone. If we really need to remake a bogart classic, how about "The maltesse Falcon"
|
| Tue Nov 13, 2012 8:30 am |
|
 |
|
PeachyPete
Second Unit Director
Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2012 8:09 pm Posts: 349
|
 Re: Sequel to Casablanca?
It wouldn't be the first time. The Bogart version was the third film adaptation of Hammett's novel.
|
| Tue Nov 13, 2012 9:30 am |
|
 |
|
p604
Assistant Second Unit Director
Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2012 9:17 am Posts: 89
|
 Re: Sequel to Casablanca?
or what about "The Caine Mutiny" They could get Michael Caine to star in it. The irony would be brilliant.
|
| Tue Nov 13, 2012 10:22 am |
|
 |
|
AJR
Gaffer
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2012 1:49 am Posts: 42
|
 Re: Sequel to Casablanca?
I love that you somehow managed to work Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters into a thread about a possible Casablanca sequel.
|
| Tue Nov 13, 2012 9:56 pm |
|
 |
|
Ken
Cinematographer
Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2012 6:26 pm Posts: 668
|
 Re: Sequel to Casablanca?
What would be the point of a Casablanca sequel aside from milking a little more money out of a famous title?
_________________ The temptation is to like what you should like--not what you do like... another temptation is to come up with an interesting reason for liking it that may not actually be the reason you like it.
|
| Tue Nov 13, 2012 10:46 pm |
|
 |
|
Threeperf35
Director
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:45 pm Posts: 1675
|
 Re: Sequel to Casablanca?
|
| Tue Nov 13, 2012 11:11 pm |
|
 |
|
CasualDad
Second Unit Director
Joined: Sat Aug 22, 2009 6:19 pm Posts: 345
|
 Re: Sequel to Casablanca?
They can spice up the story with nudity, profanity, vomiting, flatulence, and other modern day enhancements. 
|
| Wed Nov 14, 2012 12:08 am |
|
 |
|
AJR
Gaffer
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2012 1:49 am Posts: 42
|
 Re: Sequel to Casablanca?
Look, I know Casablanca got a lot of things right, but it’s sorely lacking in the flatulence department.
|
| Wed Nov 14, 2012 12:14 am |
|
|