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?
I don't have much interest in pop culture so I don't know who most of those people are. So I have no opinion on who should play anything. Though I do know who Angelina Jolie is and I avoid her. And Tom Cruise. I liked him until he became a sofa jumper. That's all I can think about when I see him. I don't mind remakes. I loved the new True Grit and I loved the old True Grit. Different animals.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read about the remake, I was aghast. Still am. The original is my absolute favorite movie and I have the DVDs of it and the sequel. I love watching Joan grow from a frightened little waif to a strong, independent woman. And who among us writers doesn't long for our own "Joan Wilder moment?"
ReplyDeleteI say we boycott the remake and let them know we'll not be taken in by imitators.
Some remakes are okay. I actually think the Mara Wilson version of "Miracle on 34th Street" is better than the original Natalie Wood one. But usually the remakes are poor imitations.
Marilyn
Verification word is nostai. Must be a reference to nostalgia and the original movie.
Micheal Douglas??? I always thought it was that Hans Solo guy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the correct information!
I don't like remakes. There are enough books and scripts out there for Hollywood to make something new. Why revisit a classic? That said I would probably keep Gerard Butler but use Diane Lane. I love her and she would be the best Joan Wilder.
ReplyDeleteJean, I still haven't seen the new True Grit. I've been holding off, though I know that Jeff Bridges is supposed to be wonderful in this remake.
ReplyDeleteHi Marilyn! Ah! Someone who feels the way I do about this. I have both movies too. LOVE them!
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of remakes coming out on film these days. Conan had it's moments but was entertaining. And there are the movies that join two genres, Cowboys and Aliens. A good homage, entertaining, great character arcs too.
I do like the remake of Miracle on 34th Street!
What would happen if they remade The Quiet Man? This is one of my favorite movies and I'm not sure it could be done. But there are possibilities.
Cheryl, Diane Lane is an excellent suggestion!
ReplyDeleteStephanie, no! You've got your movies intertwined. Harrison Ford is Indiana Jones and Hans Solo. Gerard Butler is King Leonidas in 300! And The Phantom of the Opera!
ReplyDeleteI would say that some people might suggest Jennifer Anniston, but she and Butler have already tangled in The Bounty Hunter. That didn't go over well either. However, (snicker) Butler and Angelina Jolie were way hot together in the second Tomb Raider movie!!!
Muahahahaha!