IMAX and 3-D movie crazes are in full swing, but there’s another (big haired, synthesizing fad) creeping up in theaters near you: ‘80s reboots! With the ‘80s invasion hitting the big screen big time this year, get ready for some crime fighting, computer gaming and Titan battling action.
So kick off those Sunday shoes and travel back in time as AccessHollywood.com counts down the Top 10 classic ‘80s reboots/sequels we’re most excited about!
10. ‘21 Jump Street’ (premiered on TV, 1987)
Suspense, undercover policemen and a young Johnny Depp – need we say more? Originally starring Depp, Peter DeLuise and Holly Robinson (Peete), this 1987 “too cool for school” hit crime drama series followed a young undercover police unit specializing in youth crime in high schools, colleges and teen hot spots. It’s no wonder why “21 Jump Street” has once again caught Hollywood’s attention. The new live-action adaptation is being co-written by — and starring — “Superbad” funnyman Jonah Hill and there’s even talk of a special Depp cameo (fingers crossed!). Produced by Columbia Pictures, the original release date of August 5, 2011 has recently been pushed back to winter 2012.
9. ‘Red Dawn’ (premiered in theaters, 1984)
During the onset of World War III, in mid-western America, a group of teenagers (dubbed “The Wolverines”) banded together to defend their town and country from invading Soviet forces. Who were these mysterious “Wolverines?” None other than the perfect combination of brains and brawn led by Patrick Swayze, Lea Thompson and Charlie Sheen. The upcoming adaptation finds Josh Hutcherson, Josh Peck, Adrianne Palicki and Chris Hemsworth fighting the Chinese (rather than the Soviets). Set to hit theatres on November 24, 2010, the new “Red Dawn” seems to have the brawn all lined up, but does it have enough live action to stack up to the original? It was the first movie to bear the PG-13 rating for its violence sequences. No pressure.
8. ‘Wall Street’ (premiered in theaters, 1987)
No other movie has given audiences a closer look into the conniving world of the stock market — and those immersed in it — quite like the 1987 classic “Wall Street.” Charlie Sheen starred as Bud Fox, a young and impatient stockbroker who is willing to do anything to get to the top, including trading using illegal inside information. Enter Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko, a merciless and selfish corporate tycoon who takes Sheen under his wing as his modern apprentice. Now, 20th Century Fox has decided to add part two of the ‘80s hit entitled “Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps” with a (to say the least) stacked cast, including “Transformers” heartthrob Shia LaBeouf, Oscar nominated Carey Mulligan and the original Gordon Gekko — Michael Douglas. The update will tell the story of a once again young Wall Street trader (LaBeouf) who partners with a disgraced former Wall Street corporate raider (Douglas). The film, however, has been rescheduled to hit theatres on September 24, 2010, five months after its original April release. It will premiere at Cannes this May though. Please don’t tell us the money has gone dormant!
7. ‘Footloose’ (premiered in theaters, 1984)
The 1984 smash “Footloose” fused together rebellious teens, big ‘80s hair, and amazing music into one giant bowl of awesome. Mix in a young Kevin Bacon and you get true genius. Bacon played Ren McCormack, a Chicago city boy who comes to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned. He joins a rebellious blonde named Ariel (Lori Singer) and his classmates to abolish the ban and reignite the soul of the withdrawn town through their soles. “DWTS” pro Julianne Hough will play Ariel in the remake while the role of Ren McCormack remains undecided after “Gossip Girl” star Chace Crawford recently left the cast (Zac Efron had reportedly earlier been attached to the role). Set to be released June 18, 2010 by Paramount Pictures, the new “Footloose” has got some big shoes to fill — pun intended.
6. ‘The Smurfs’ (premiered on TV, 1981)
This ‘80s television series captured the hearts of children around the world with its pint-sized stories of grand adventure. No Saturday morning was complete without taking a trip to the Smurf village to watch Papa Smurf and his mignons defeat the evil wizard Gargamel and his cat Azrael. The smurfing blue cast will be hitting the big screen on August 3, 2011 thanks to Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation after previously being scheduled to hit theaters on July 29, 2011. This 3-D animated and live action combo movie will feature the voices of Jonathan Winters as Papa Smurf, Katy Perry as Smurfette, George Lopez as Grouchy Smurf, Hank Azaria as Gargamel and Neil Patrick Harris as Johan (the lead live action character). We just can’t smurf to see it!
5. ‘Clash of the Titans’ (premiered in theaters, 1981)
Greek mythology never looked so good in this classic tale of forbidden love. In 1981, Harry Hamlin, Lawrence Olivier and Judi Bowker became the gods and goddess of the big screen with their enchanting roles as Perseus, Zeus and Andromeda, respectively. As a film adaptation of the myth of Perseus and his quest to battle both Medusa and the Kraken monster to save the Princess Andromeda, “Clash of the Titans” offered suspense, action, and of course, stop motion animation effects to make it all possible. Warner Bros pictures released a new loose interpretation of the mythical tale on April 2, 2010, featuring Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson and Alexa Davalos. The movie employed CGI animation for the special effects and its box office numbers are currently proving that this love story lives on. Oh, and it’s pretty much a Kraken on steroids! Special appearance by Bubo the owl included as well!
[AH NATION: Which ‘80s reboot are you most excited to see? CLICK HERE to cast your vote!]
4. ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ (premiered in theaters, 1984)
Forget giving you nightmares, this 1984 thriller made you never want to go to sleep ever again. Starring none other than Johnny Depp, as well as Heather Langenkamp and Robert Englund, the legend of Freddy Krueger proved to be a horror story unlike any other. A psychopath’s ghost named Freddy Krueger stalked the children of the members of the lynch mob that murdered him and tried to kill them one by one in their sleep using a glove outfitted with razor blades. Now, Warner Bros. Pictures is releasing a reboot of the gruesome horror flick starring “Twilight” hunk Kellan Lutz, Rooney Mara, Katie Cassidy and Jackie Earl Haley as Freddy Krueger. This live action horror will be released April 30, 2010.
3. ‘Karate Kid’ (premiered in theaters, 1984)
Back in 1984, Mr. Miyagi showed audiences that painting a picket fence translated into fierce karate moves. Played by Pat Morita, Miyagi was a handyman and martial arts master who agreed to teach Daniel Larusso (Ralph Macchio, a bullied boy) karate. Miyagi showed him that there is more to the martial arts than fighting. Followed up with two more installments starring an older Ralph Macchio in the second film and Hilary Swank in the third, the “Karate Kid” series combined live action karate scenes with nonsensical, yet hilarious, Chinese proverbs that kept audiences glued to the screen. Columbia Pictures is now introducing a fourth installment to the hit franchise, starring Jackie Chan as Miyagi and Jaden Smith as Dre Parker. In the new version, to be released June 11, 2010, work causes a single mother (Taraji P. Henson) to move to China with her young son who embraces kung fu taught to him by a new master.
2. ‘The A-Team’ (premiered on TV, 1983)
Four Vietnam veterans were on the run from the military while working as good-guy vigilantes around the U.S. – sounds like an odd premise, no? We pity the fool who didn’t watch this 1983 television series! The comic relief sitcom starred George Peppard as the master of disguises Col. John “Hannibal” Smith, Dwight Schultz as shell shocked H.M. (Howling Mad) Murdock, Dirk Benedict as charmer Templeton “Face Man” Peck and Mr. T as B.A. (Bad Attitude) Baracas. Together, they created far-fetched, ridiculous scenarios with, of course, some massive car explosions mixed in along the way. The new version involves a group of Iraq War veterans looking to clear their name with the U.S. military, which suspects the men of committing a crime which they didn’t commit. The new lineup includes Bradley Cooper, Liam Neeson, Sharlton Copely and Jessica Biel battling it out in this 20th Century Fox and Dune Entertainment , and hitting theatres June 11, 2010.
1. ‘Tron’ (premiered in theaters, 1982)
Video gamers unite! This 1982 classic fanboy flick took video gaming to a whole new level: inside the game. Jeff Bridges starred as Kevin Flynn, an arcade owner and hacker who is abducted into the computer world and forced to participate in cyberspace games where his only chance of escape is with the help of a heroic security program. The gaming madness is now back with a sequel to the original blockbuster film courtesy of Disney — taking over the big screen on December 17, 2010. This time, Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), son of Kevin Flynn, looks into his father’s disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for the past 25 years. Jeff Bridges reprises his role and the sequel adds Olivia Wilde to the cast. Expect tons of CGI effects and you yourself might get sucked into the film, literally. We’ve got our virtual helmets on and can’t wait for this number one ‘80s reboot ride this upcoming holiday season!
