For better or worse,we live in the age of remakes. Even big original movies likeThe Force Awakensare essentially remakes of older stories. With this in mind, Redditors recently got together onr/movies, the largest film subreddit, to discuss which classic films they would love to see remade by their favorite directors.
They came up with many intriguing movie-director pairings, most of which are quite plausible. Just the thought of a2001remake directed byDenis Villeneuveis enough to get sci-fi fans salivating.
10’Citizen Kane' (1941) — Paul Thomas Anderson
“Paul Thomas Andersoncould make a compellingCitizen KaneorThe Sting,” saiduser FoolsInParadise. That would be an awesome project to see — one of the top contemporary directors taking on one of the most acclaimed movies of all time.
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It’s not outside the realm of possibility. Anderson is a huge Welles fan,naming two of the directors' films—The Complete Mr. ArkadinandThe Lady From Shanghai- among his all-time favorites. In his 2013 Golden Globe acceptance speech,Ben Affleckeven comparedAnderson to Welles.
9’Back to the Future' (1985) — Edgar Wright
Redditor toxie37said they wantedEdgar Wrightto remake the time-bending ’80s comedy classicBack to The Future. “That could work,” replieduser ColdCruise. “You would need a director with an extremely keen eye for detail. Although I think recasting so many iconic roles would be impossible.”
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Wright’s sense of humor and tongue-in-cheek genre filmmaking would suitBack to the Future. Plus, he’s already shown he’s great at sci-fi (The World’s End), car movies (Baby Driver), and time travel (Last Night in Soho). Not to mention,Back to the Futureis one of his favorite films.In a tweet, he said it had “a perfect ending.”
8’Laura' (1944) — David Fincher
“David Finchercould do any classic noir film likeLaura,” saiduser FoolsInParadise. He suggested that Fincher’s moviesZodiac,Se7en, andGone Girlare already neo-noir.Laura, in particular, would be a fascinating project. It’s a 1940s noir that revolves around the murder of a beautiful and charismatic woman named Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney). The investigation is led by Detective Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews), who becomes entangled in a web of deceit, passion, and obsession.
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This kind of story is right within Fincher’s wheelhouse.Laura’s plot is notoriously labyrinthine and a little over-the-top, but Fincher can make it work. In addition toLaura,Redditor thingambukusaid they would “be fascinated to see what would happen if Fincher remadeAll About EvewithAaron Sorkinwriting.”
7’Indiana Jones' (1981-2023) — Christopher Nolan
“Nolancould make a kick-ass revamp ofStar WarsorIndiana Jones. I’d trust that man with any franchise revival,” saiduser FoolsInParadise. They’re absolutely right. WithBatman, he already proved himself capable of putting his spin on a beloved IP.
His knack for adventure stories and big practical action set pieces would work well within theIndiana Jonesuniverse.Nolan’s touch might be exactly what’s neededto reinvigorate Indiana Jones, especially after the muted responseDial of Destinyreceived at Cannes.
6"Any Period Screwball Comedy" — Coen brothers
Screwball comedies were a popular genre in the 1930s and 40s, featuring fast-talking characters, witty banter, and a surprising amount of subversion of gender dynamics for that era. A prime example isHis Girl Friday, which greatly influenced the dialogue inTarantino’s movies.
The genre is a good match forthe Coen brothers' dark humor, quirky characters, and offbeat sensibility.Redditor drelossaid that the Coens could nail “any screwball comedy they want,” pointing out that their filmThe Hudsucker Proxyis already an example of one.
5"Any Classic Western" — S. Craig Zahler
Theuser Dragonborn83196wants to seeS. Craig Zahlerremake “any classic western.” S. Craig Zahler is a director with a penchant for gritty, visceral narratives. He’s most famous forBone Tomahawk, a genre-bending Western horror that weaves in a touch of the supernatural. Another standout in his filmography isBrawl in Cell Block 99, an action-drama set in a prison.
His style would fit a harsh Western, like a lot ofSam Peckinpah’s movies. EvenOnce Upon a Time in the West(one of his favorites) orThe Magnificent Sevencould work well.
4’The Godfather' (1972-1990) — Francis Ford Coppola
“Coppolamaking a new version ofThe Godfathertrilogy,” saidRedditor Intelligent-Age2786. “Would be intrigued on what the new cast would look like and how good the cinematography would look with modern cameras and equipment.” This was an interesting suggestion, as it was the only instance where Redditors wanted to see a remake done by the original director.
Coppola is finishing his (seemingly unwieldy) epicMegalopoliswithAdam DriverandForest Whitaker, but it remains to be seen what he’ll do next. AGodfatherremake would be challenging because the original is so beloved, but it could also be a fitting swan song for the legendary director.
3’Dirty Harry' (1971) — Scott Cooper
“Would love to see whatScott Coopercould do with something likeThe Deer Hunter,The French Connection[or]Dirty Harry,” saiduser FoolsInParadise. Cooper is the filmmaker behind diverse projects likeCrazy Heart, which earnedJeff Bridgesan Academy Award for portraying a washed-up country singer, the true-crime dramaBlack MasswithJohnny Depp, and the Western dramaHostiles.
He also made the supernatural horrorAntlersand, most recently, last year’sThe Pale Blue EyestarringChristian Bale. Cooper’s work is hugely influenced by ’70s cinema (he citesNashville,Badlands, andThe Last Picture Showas favorites), so he’s a good choice to remake that decade’s biggest classics.
2’The Warriors' (1979) — Spike Lee
The Warriorsis a ’70s crime movie about a group of gang members in New York who are framed for the murder of a gang leader named Cyrus. The film follows the characters over one night as they travel from the north Bronx to Coney Island. Although not well-reviewed on release, it’s gone on to become a cult film.
“Would be interesting to see whatSpike Lee’s take onThe Warriorswould be,” saidRedditor FoolsInParadise, pointing toHe Got Game,Inside Man,25th Hour, and hisOldboyremake as proof that Lee can nail that kind of story. Lee has shown himself to be adept at blending action and social commentary, so this project could be terrific.
1'2001: A Space Odyssey' (1968) — Denis Villeneuve
Redditor Consistent-Annual268said the best remake would be2001: A Space Odysseyhandled by Denis Villeneuve. “Easy answer, I’ve been ruminating on this for the past couple of years,” they said. “That’d be something to see. His film styles have all the right ingredients to make a greatSpace Odyssey,” replieduser FoolsInParadise.
Villeneuve is currently at the forefront of the sci-fi genre, delivering slick visuals and thoughtful themes, making him the perfect choice forStanley Kubrick’s masterpiece. It would be a dream come true, for audiences and for Villeneuve himself. “2001is by far my favorite movie of all time,“he saidin an interview.
