# Steve Martin's "Pink Panther" movie **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 9, 2004, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207 "2004-03-09T00:16:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/21 "2005-05-08T20:06:59Z")
True, there is no “Kato” character but [Jean Reno](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000606/)’s character is meant to fill that void. The preview shows Clouseau informing his new partner (Gendarme Ponton, Reno’s character) to expect surprise attacks to keep him on his toes. Clouseau then tries to give Ponton a Judo chop to the neck, which Ponton counters with a punch to the face. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/22 "2005-05-08T20:20:06Z")
> [@Cadabra](#): > > FACT: They were going to do the new “Pink Panther” movie anyway. > FACT: They could have done it with Mathew Lillard as the good inspector. > FACT: They could have done it with a cast of WB teen stars and highlighted Clouseu’s teenage years. > FACT: They could just have done another one with Reberto Beninni. > > FACT: They got Steve Martin and Kevin Kline, two very funny men. > FACT: Steve Martin helped develop the script, meaning he gave a damn. > FACT: A new “Pink Panther” movie with Steve Martin is a better alternative than a “Pink Panther” movie without Steve Martin. FACT: One good Steve Martin movie is worth the entire Pink Panther franchise combined. The worst that he can do is make something on par with the originals, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/23 "2005-05-08T21:03:56Z")
You know, I made a mistake and bought the Pink Panther box. It really was kinda painful in many ways and I discovered, yet again, that some fond memories of movies and tv shows are better left as memories. Sellers is very, very good, of course. But the movies suck. Not the least bit coherent, clumsy direction and awkward scripts. They really are just loose narratives to set up Sellers’ gags. And Beyoncé… Well, it isn’t as if Edwards didn’t bring in starlets / models without acting skills, just to have some eye candy on the screen. Capucine, Dyan Cannon and Lesley-Anne Down aren’t exactly known for their stellar performances. As for Martin. Yeah, he’s made a bunch of crap. He’s made some good stuff too. I wish he’d turn to darker parts. He was excellent as the villain in “The Spanish Prisoner”. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/24 "2005-05-08T22:05:28Z")
I like Steve Martin a lot. I really liked him in All of Me. I think he might do well…and I found the original Pink Panther to be pretty boring (but I watched it as an adult, years after it came out, maybe that’s why it never charmed me). ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/25 "2005-05-08T22:06:23Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I like Steve Martin a lot. I really liked him in All of Me.\ I hear they’re threatning to do a remake of this. ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/26 "2005-05-09T00:27:54Z")
> [@The Scrivener](#): > > Gad, this sounds awful. I can’t imagine any remake topping the chemistry of the first two Panthers. Martin’s too old, there’s no Kato character, and Kevin Kline (who’s always irritated me for some reason) is a poor substitute for Herbert Lom. Just as an aside there is no Kato in the original **Pink Panther** , either. He was added as comic relief in the SECOND Inspector Clouseau movie, [A Shot in the Dark](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058586/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnx0dD1vbnxmYj11fHBuPTB8cT1BIFNob3QgaW4gdGhlIERhcmt8bXg9MjB8bG09NTAwfGh0bWw9MQ__;fc=1;ft=20;fm=1), which is the film that is REALLY responsible for most of the ‘classic’ Panther style, including the obsessed (to the point of homicide) Commissioner/Chief Inspector Dreyfus, Kato/Cato, and Clouseau’s penchant for bizarre disguises. Also let us not forget that the first non-Sellers Inspector Clouseau film was in 1968, and called, oddly enough, [Inspector Clouseau](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063135/maindetails), with Alan Arkin in the role of the Inspector, and Bud Yorkin directing. Didn;t go over very well. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/27 "2005-05-09T00:29:41Z")
> [@lawoot](#): > > Also let us not forget that the first non-Sellers Inspector Clouseau film was in 1968, and called, oddly enough, [Inspector Clouseau](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063135/maindetails), with Alan Arkin in the role of the Inspector, and Bud Yorkin directing. Didn;t go over very well. That probably had a lot to do with the fact that Arkin sucks. ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/28 "2005-05-09T10:44:05Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > When was the last time Steve did a good movie? _L. A. Story_ is the last one I recall. The _last time_ he did a good movie? Novocaine (2001) Good movies he’s done since L.A. Story? Housesitter Leap of Faith Spanish Prisoner Bowfinger Joe Gould’s Secret And I’m very much looking forward to Shop Girl, which he wrote based on his own novel. Beyonce is at least as talented as Cappucine. As has been mentioned already (to those who _rediscovered_ the original Pink Panther only to find out it wasn’t very good) the Pink Panther movie that is _the_ Pink Panther movie is actually the first sequel, A Shot in The Dark. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/29 "2005-05-09T12:53:05Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > I hear they’re threatning to do a remake of this. _shudder_ \*Threatening \* is a good word. The scene where he first gets her in him, the two-body thing, where he’s shuffling up the sidewalk - that was pure genius. ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/30 "2005-05-09T15:26:00Z")
I watched the trailer for this on the Apple site. Ho … ly … shit. The original Sellers movies were no masterpieces, but this just looks to be an ordeal. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/31 "2005-05-09T17:04:54Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > I hear they’re threatning to do a remake of this. Not only that, it’s going to be a vehicle for [Wanda Sykes](http://www.themovieinsider.com/news/nid/1767/New_Line_to_Remake_1984_Comedy_'All_of_Me') in the Lily Tomlin role. The Steve Martin role doesn’t seem to have been cast yet. I can’t think of anyone who could really save it so they might as well go all out and get Robin Williams or Jim Carrey. If you’re going to stage a trainwreck you might as well get the biggest trains. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/32 "2005-05-09T17:14:03Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Not only that, it’s going to be a vehicle for [Wanda Sykes](http://www.themovieinsider.com/news/nid/1767/New_Line_to_Remake_1984_Comedy_'All_of_Me') in the Lily Tomlin role… Won’t somebody think of the children? ---
**Author:** ![Cornelius\_Tuggerson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Cornelius\_Tuggerson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cornelius_Tuggerson)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/33 "2005-05-09T17:14:53Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > When was the last time Steve did a good movie? What about [Dirty Rotten Scoundrels](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095031/) ? Comedies about conmen don’t get too much better then that. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/34 "2005-05-09T20:34:58Z")
> [@faldureon](#): > > What about [Dirty Rotten Scoundrels](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095031/) ? Comedies about conmen don’t get too much better then that. which in turn is a remake of [Bedtime Story (1964)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057878/), starring David Niven and Brando. What goes around comes around. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2005, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/35 "2005-06-09T22:06:22Z")
This update is to announce one thing: The release date for this film, which had previously been set for August, has been moved back to February. [This is my source](http://www.imdb.com/news/sb/2005-06-09/#2) ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2005, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/36 "2005-06-09T22:18:35Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Not only that, it’s going to be a vehicle for [Wanda Sykes](http://www.themovieinsider.com/news/nid/1767/New_Line_to_Remake_1984_Comedy_'All_of_Me') in the Lily Tomlin role. The Steve Martin role doesn’t seem to have been cast yet. I can’t think of anyone who could really save it so they might as well go all out and get Robin Williams or Jim Carrey. If you’re going to stage a trainwreck you might as well get the biggest trains. Any idea who will take the Richard Benjamin role? He was _hilarious_, IMO. (And versatile. I once saw him do Shakespeare in the Park). “Backinbowl?” “Backinbowl.” “Backinbowl?” “Backinbowl!!” ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2005, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/37 "2005-06-10T05:26:02Z")
> [@Governor Quinn](#): > > This update is to announce one thing: > > The release date for this film, which had previously been set for August, has been moved back to February. > > [This is my source](http://www.imdb.com/news/sb/2005-06-09/#2) Usually _not_ a good sign when they push a film so far back. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2005, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/38 "2005-06-10T05:38:39Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Any idea who will take the Richard Benjamin role? He was _hilarious_, IMO. > (And versatile. I once saw him do Shakespeare in the Park). Richard Libertini was in _All of Me_, I have no idea who you saw doing Shakespeare in the park. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2005, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/39 "2005-06-10T07:01:53Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > Beyonce is at least as talented as Cappucine. You misspelled cappucino, but yeah, a cup of coffee is about right. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2005, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207/40 "2005-06-10T07:50:48Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > Usually _not_ a good sign when they push a film so far back. Not only that, but stuff released that early in the year is usually garbage. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-martins-pink-panther-movie/233207.md?page=3)