Romancing the Stone Remake?

One of the iconic romantic comedy movies of our time is Romancing the Stone, starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner as Jack T. Colton and Joan Wilder.

Scenes from the movie are imbedded in our psyche. We, romance writers, see them and discuss Joan and Jack's relationship at Romance Writer's of America conferences. It is this winning combination of hero and heroine that we hope to recreate with a new twist in every one of our books. Joan's sultry voice. Jack's brass balls.

Who wouldn't want to be the published romance author, Joan Wilder, writing on her typewriter, complete with earphones to block out noise from the NYC streets? The loyal sister willing to go to any lengths, even to Columbia, to save the one she loves.

Enter Jack T. Colton. The man who doesn't know the Doobie Brothers broke up. Why he's so out of touch with civilization and relating to people that he doesn't care Joan has broken the heel of her expensive shoes. Shudder!

Everything and the kitchen sink is in this movie. That's why it works. Douglas as Jack and Turner as Joan set the bar high for RomCom. Most every comedy is graded against Romancing the Stone when it hits the big screen.

The recipe is set. Hero and heroine have the cute meet, rue the day they met, face off, fall in love and fall out of love, especially when the hero seems more like an anti-hero.

Now they are forced to survive the black moment when all seems lost. Here's where Joan discovers her own strength.

Soon she learns she can trust him, or can she? Conflicts arise. Can she and Jack overcome the odds against them so that they can race off into the sunset? Yes. But when they meet again, we are promised a wonderful beginning as Jack's boat fills the NYC street.

Bring out the crystal dish for kitty! It's time to celebrate. Easy now. Throw the dish into the fireplace. All is well in the world!

Or is it? For one, we're out of tissues. Post-its everywhere alert us to that fact. Two, Romancing the Stone and its sequel, Jewel of the Nile, have earned a great and devoted following. So it is with no surprise that a remake in the offing is causing a ruckus on Twitter.

Twitter tells it like this. Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl are slated to team up for this remake. Say what?

Now don't get me wrong. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a Gerard Butler fanatic! I have all of his movies. (In fact, I love all of his movies!) I adore Gerry! But paring the Scot with Heigl? Why not Kate Hudson, the feisty comedian? What about Penelope Cruz, Isla Fisher, or Amy Adams? Hubby suggested Catherine Zeta Jones. Many on twitter could not believe Heigl and Butler would even be considered after The Ugly Truth didn't fare well. (I loved that movie. Sigh!)

I know I'm not alone in mourning the idea. Twitter confirmed. The most important question of all... why is a remake even under consideration? Romancing the Stone will never be Romancing the Stone without Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner!

Joan Wilder? THE Joan Wilder? Let me get my little mule. ;)

Who would you suggest paring in the remake and do you think one should be made?

Kathy's Movie Picks

Jean and Cheryl have been making lists this week, most notably producing a list of movie rules and top southern behaviors. As I pondered these topics, I realized I might fall a bit short of receiving a true southern nod, but I do follow Jean's rules and I know a great deal about movies and the entertainment industry.

I'm enamored with People and Entertainment magazines, which offer an insider peak at the entertainment world as a whole, revealing news and upcoming events. (Hint: I also like to cut out celebrity photos so I can use them on my storyboard. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. ;)

It is true people have individual tastes. Some likes and dislikes of the moving-picture industry can run the gambit from romantic comedies to romantic suspense. When I hear romance authors talk about how they cannot stand to watch romantic comedies, I shiver. Yes, some plots are slow or blatantly obvious to a fifth grader, but unlike some movie goers, I go to movies to be entertained. Every movie is the product of a director, screen writer and the actors who play the leads. I take a lot of plots with a grain of salt as long as the plot doesn't sink into stupidity. (Though I'm quite partial to silly. Shout out, Will Farrell!)

Movies are meant to be enjoyed. Yes, the cost of movies has skyrocketed, but theatres are there for those who are willing to shell out for entertainment. Ergo: this is why Jean listed rules for theatre behavior. No one wants to pay to hear someone else's child cry or get blinded by the blue light radiating from a phantom phone in the audience.

My pet peeve is going to a movie that has been promoted as a comedy only to find it is a drama. Don't solicit my attention by promising me a good laugh and then punch me in the gut. Grrrr! That I hate and will never forgive, Pembridge Scholars!

Kathy's list of must sees

Romantic comedy: You know movies like Sweet Home Alabama, Made of Honor, Cry Baby, Crocodile Dundee, Working Girl or my all-time favorite, The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. These movies combine quirky characters who have just sworn off their last date but participate, against plan, in the cute meet. Both characters immediately loathe each other, but as the movie progresses and pasts come to light, the characters begin to sympathize with one another and bond. This bond is tested on all sides but eventually true love wins. Goody! (Happy hands!)

Romantic drama: Plenty of angst and sorrow accompany these movies. Usually a loved one is lost, sometimes even a pet (Ooh! Don't kill off a dog or horse! That really gets my goat. Can I get a Marley and Me, which was promoted as a romantic comedy? Huh? ...I digress). In romantic drama, the primary characters are using each other to further their goals but fall madly in love when forced into situations which glorify their likable traits. Perhaps the heroine is saved by the hero or vice versa. Either way, movies like Someone to Watch Over Me, The Notebook (though this is typically not 'romance' as the author mercilessly repeats), Love Story, Legends Of The Fall, and Under The Tuscan Sun fit this bill. Yay! (Warm and fuzzy all over.)

Romantic adventure: Here I delve into the movie genre with a keen appreciation, a trusted compass and my eye on the horizon. I have special love for Pirates of the Caribbean's I-III, but the movie to outlast them all would have to be Romancing The Stone and its sequel, Jewel Of The Nile. No romance writer would neglect to add these to their must see lists. Many more fit this genre, to include: Medicine Man, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Dances With Wolves, Pathfinder, Twilight, and The Last Mohican (the soundtrack rocks!). ("I will find you!")

Romantic suspense: I'd be remiss if I didn't include Casablanca here. Rebecca, The Tourist, Play Misty For Me, The Bourne Identity (1st movie), Cliffhanger, Reds, Disturbia, Eagle Eye, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith all fit this bill. These movies vary in structure, characterization and length. Characters are secretive as long as they can be, until the final scene reveals one cataclysmic plot thread that seals their fates. Happy endings need apply.

You see? On a personal note, I'm not that picky. Just give me a happily ever after, that's all I ask. Is it too much? Isn't it worth me going to the theatre to abide by Jean's rules or paying money to buy the DVD and then switch that out for BlueRay?

Seriously, I love movies! Give me a comic book character with a love interest and I'm as content as a Cheshire cat. By the way, didn't anyone else notice Alice and the Mad Hater had a budding romance in the new Alice And Wonderland movie with my favorite actor of all time, Johnny Depp? What will they think of next? The Lion King? Wait. He found love with that lioness and they had children of their own. All the Disney Princesses found love, even the Frog Prince managed to snag a bride. Hmmmm... There's definitely a pattern here and I believe it states love changes lives, builds futures and justifies existence.

So what is your favorite movie romance genre and what movies ignite your heart with laughter and passion?