Remake of The Ladykillers by the Coen Brothers

Cafe Society
1

This was brought up in a recent thread about the Coen Brothers movies, and the idea was so intriguing that I thought it merited its own thread.

Here’s the imdb’s most recent information on the movie. Apparently Tom Hanks will be cast as The Professor, and it will be set in New Orleans. I think I also read somewhere that one of the Wayans brothers will be in it as well.

I didn’t know what to make of this at first, but the more I think of it, the more I like the idea. After all, the plot of The Ladykillers is very much in keeping with many Coen Brothers plots: a carefully planned crime goes haywire after something unexpected happens. And the original movie was a black comedy, another Coen Brothers specialty.

What do you think? Does anyone else have any better information on this?

2

Tom Hanks in a Coen Brothers movie?

Ack.

3

I thought the same thing about George Clooney. Turned out marvelously, though.

Although I usually turn my nose up at remakes, I think it’s safe to say that the Coen Bros will make The Ladykillers their own. I can’t wait.

4

I love the original, and I’m a fan of the Coen brothers. Tom Hanks as the Professor worries me a little, but on the whole, I think it sounds like it might be pretty cool.

In fact, these days they could do more with the pitch-black comedy parts.

In particular, I’m thinking of the scenes where the gang kill each other off, one by one. While the way it’s done in the original, all shadows and silhouettes, is undeniably elegant, the Coen brothers might be able to make the opposite extreme and have some Reservoir Dogs type violence

5

I love the idea of the Coen brothers taking on a dark comedy like this.

Plus - I like the casting of Hanks - I think he’ll be good, bring something different to the part.

The trailer looks good (although COen brothers movies normally are tough to present in a trailer!)

I kind of like having Marlon Wayans in the cast too - he has proven to be both good in dramas (Requiem for a Dream) and comedy (Scary movie, Don’t be a menace)

6

Saw the trailer, and I can’t say it thrills me. Hanks sounds like he’s acting overtime with his accent, and tranforming the demure, gentle Mrs. Lopsided of the original into a feisty black woman is the sort of thing I’d expect from a generic Hollywood comedy, not the Coens. (The feistiness is the problem because it totally undermines the premise of the movie. Feisty old ladys coming out on top is exactly what we expect.)

But it is the Coens, so we shall see.

7

I wonder if they’ll keep Guinness’s teeth from the original (which is one of my favorite British movies). I loved Irma Hall as the aunt from A FAMILY THING and as the voodoo priestess from the usually dreadful MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL, so I hope it goes well. (The Alec Guinness movie I’d most like to see remade, however, is SITUATION HOPELESS BUT NOT CRITICAL; Derek Jacoby would be a great one for the remake.)

8

As long as the DUDE is in it, its ALL GOOD!!!

9

The Dude isn’t in it, so it’s not good.

I have a bad feeling about it. The original was so perfect. The plot twists were unexpected. Now we have the stock Feisty Churchlady smacking around a Wayans brother. Not good.

10

Eighty year olds dude :eek:

11

Dude, where’s my car?

12

I’m wondering if it’s set in New Orleans so that they can have another OBWAT? runaway soundtrack success (zydeco, jazz, blues, etc.). And while he’s not listed in the credits, you know that John Goodman has to be involved- this is a Coen Bros. project AND he lives in New Orleans.

13

The really odd thing about it being set in New Orleans is that the caper apparently involves tunnelling underground. In New Orleans. Think about it.

14

I love the original, but can’t wait. It’s a Coen brothers movie. 'nuff said.

As a film critic once mentioned: “If only all movies could be made by the Coen Brothers”.

15

So it’s a submarine movie?

16

COuldn’t agree more - the best filmmakers around right now. ALL their movies are creative, and different.

I think people should stop worrying about comparing it to the original - the coen bros are pretty creative guys- they will make the material their own. And so far, I personally like what I have seen. Hanks “putting on airs” is the point I think, the character is supposed to be overacting.