First off, this news was originally reported about nine days ago by STYD, but I hadn’t seen Rosemary’s Baby yet and I didn’t want to write the article until I could actually add something to the news. The news I am speaking of would be that Paramount is in negotiations with Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes to put together a remake of the 1968 horror hit Rosemary’s Baby based on Ira Levin’s novel.
Looking at what Platinum Dunes has done so far I would say that I prefer their version of Texas Chainsaw Massacre over the original, I enjoyed The Hitcher, I enjoyed the remake of The Amityville Horror but believe the original is superior and I hated the prequel story of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning. Based on that I would say I am up for checking out whatever they are willing to put together, and with remakes of Hitchcock’s The Birds and restarts of Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street on their slate it appears original ideas are not what the production house is all about.
Well, how about Rosemary’s Baby? Does it deserve a remake?
First off, this isn’t your typical horror flick. Rosemary’s Baby is ranked #222 on IMDb’s Top 250, a list that doesn’t include a ton of horror films. However, is Rosemary’s Baby a horror film?
I recently watched this movie over the weekend for the very first time. I can’t say I was floored, but I will say I liked the idea and I think a remake would be interesting. Primarily because I believe the final scene could be done much, much better. However, the one and only thing I think needs to remain the same is that we should never see Rosemary’s baby. Sorry, that is one part of that film that is absolutely fantastic. Unfortunately I can see that being the one thing Platinum Dunes would think needs to be changed, and I know if they got some hack like Rob Zombie to direct it it would certainly be changed.
For those of you that are unfamiliar with the story, it follows a young couple who move into a gothic New York apartment, where they are befriended by their elderly neighbors. The woman becomes pregnant and the insuing pregnancy comes with plenty of surprises.
One line in the Hollywood Reporter article that makes me believe there is some hope is when it says “Platinum Dunes plans to be meticulous with the remake, knowing it has been entrusted with a jewel from the Paramount library.” Hopefully they understand what makes the original good and don’t deviate from that, there are certainly some aspects that could be improved. Start with the length and make it much shorter.
