"It's Only A Bloody Game"

When it comes to hearing news about remakes of movies that I like (or love), my initial reaction is usually one of skepticism or yes, seething rage, while I ask something like "Why risk ruining a good thing with a dopey remake?"

As a fan of the 1972 film Sleuth (which itself was based on a Tony Award winning play of the same name), I have to admit, I am nonetheless kind of jazzed about today's news that a Sleuth remake is going to happen--Given who's involved--I'm hopeful that the film will be more than a remake just for the sake of a remake kind of flick.

Variety scribe Michael Fleming has the details:

The Jude Law-Michael Caine remake of "Sleuth" is a go, with Kenneth Branagh on board to direct an adaptation of the Anthony Shaffer play, scripted by Harold Pinter.

Financing was arranged by Castle Rock, and the film will shoot in January at Twickenham Studios in London.

It's the second time Shaffer's play is getting movie treatment, and the second time Caine is playing a major role in the drama that revolves around two men vying for the same woman.

This time, Caine will play a brilliant thriller writer and social fixture who's so upset at losing his wife to a young hairdresser (Law) that he hatches a complex revenge plan. Caine played the hairdresser in the original and Laurence Olivier played the writer.

Both got Oscar nominations for the... original film, as did director Joseph Mankiewicz.

Law is stepping into a screen role originated by Caine for the second time, after "Alfie."

Law, who will produce the film through his Riff Raff Prods. banner with Tom Sternberg and Simon Halfont, has been at the center of the project for the past three years, since Castle Rock acquired the play rights.

While Castle Rock usually distributes its films through Warner Bros., the company won't sell domestic or foreign distribution rights until the film has been completed.

Branagh recently directed a version of "As You Like It" and a film version of "The Magic Flute" that opens this week at the Venice and Toronto film festivals.

I am thrilled that Kenneth Branagh is calling the shots here. I think he'll do a great job with the "cat and mouse" material. If you've ever seen (and enjoy) his 1991 movie, Dead Again (very underrated flick) you know what I sayin'. Kudos for giving Sir Michael Caine a bigger role in the update--rather than just throwing him a glorified cameo. Way to go. As for Law, I just hope he doesn't jinx this project--the way he seemed to, with his performance in the aforementioned Alfie redux of '04... which fell like a brick.

As we await the release of the remake--Be sure to take a look at the original film.