Commando Movie Remake Chances Addressed By Writer After David Ayer’s Failed Attempt
In a recent interview with Radio Times, writer Steven E. de Souza discussed the possibility of a Commando movie remake. The original film, released in 1985, starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as a retired US Army Special Forces Colonel who has to rescue his daughter from a South American dictator. Despite not being a critical success, the movie was a box office hit and is considered one of Schwarzenegger’s most iconic films.
The Commando remake was initially announced in 2010, with director David Ayer attached to write and direct. However, it never got off the ground, and it remains unclear why Ayer’s R-rated remake was scrapped. De Souza expressed doubts about the potential success of a Commando remake, believing that no one could recapture Schwarzenegger’s charisma. However, he did suggest that the only actor who could replace Schwarzenegger is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Though Commando remains a fan-favorite action movie, there is a question of whether a remake would be successful without Schwarzenegger’s involvement. So far, only two of his projects have been remade: Total Recall, starring Colin Farrell, and CBS’ True Lies show. Both received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, and the former underperformed at the box office while the latter was canceled after one season.
De Souza, who was once attached to develop a Big Trouble in Little China sequel, is unlikely to take on the Commando mantle due to his busy schedule in the worlds of Fast & Furious, Red Notice sequels, and live-action Moana. He believes that a reboot is not worth doing, but if it happens, he hopes that the original ending will be included.
In conclusion, a Commando remake may or may not be successful without Schwarzenegger, but de Souza believes that The Rock could replace him. However, there are no plans for a remake at this time, and de Souza is too busy to take on the project even if it were to happen.
Over a decade after the last effort fell apart, writer Steven E. de Souza addresses the chances of a potential Commando movie remake. Hitting theaters in 1985, the original Commando came fresh off of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s star-making turn in James Cameron’s The Terminator and saw the action icon portray a retired United States Army Special Forces Colonel who races against time to rescue his daughter from a South American dictator. While not a critical darling, it was a box office smash and is considered one of Schwarzenegger’s most iconic movies to date.
During a recent interview with Radio Times for the movie’s special screening at the London Action Festival, Steven E. de Souza was asked about the previously scrapped Commando remake from David Ayer. The writer didn’t offer too many details on the prior attempt, but proved doubtful in his feelings of another remake gaining ground, feeling no one can recapture Schwarzenegger’s charisma, though has one condition for a remake. See what de Souza explained below:
You need this unique character and they’re just not in motion pictures. I guess you could do it with The Rock but The Rock isn’t going to do a reboot of something. I don’t think a reboot is worth doing but if they do it, please put in the original ending!
Can A Commando Remake Still Work?
The Commando remake was first announced to be in development in 2010 with Ayer attached to write and direct, a few years after having made the jump to the director’s chair with the Christian Bale-led Harsh Times and Keanu Reeves-starring Street Kingsboth of which scored generally mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. While it remains unclear why Ayer’s R-rated remake never got off the ground, it didn’t set him too far back as he broke out with the critically acclaimed End of Watch a couple of years later.
Though it remains one of Schwarzenegger’s fan-favorite action movies, there is the question of whether a Commando remake would be a success without the star’s involvement. At the time of writing, only two of his projects have been given the remake treatment with the Colin Farrell-led Total Recall and CBS’ True Lies show, both of which scored generally mixed-to-negative reviews from critics with the former underperforming at the box office while the latter was cancelled after just one season.
De Souza’s feeling that The Rock could be the only one to take the reins from Schwarzenegger in a Commando movie remake may be a nostalgic notion for those who enjoyed their passings of the torch in The Rundownthough as he also notes, the likelihood of the modern action star remaking or rebooting something is low. He was once attached to develop a Big Trouble in Little China sequel, though his increasingly busy schedule in the worlds of Fast & Furious, Red Notice sequels and live-action Moana makes it even more unlikely for him to take on the Commando mantle.
Source: Radio Times
