News of remakes seems to abound these days, but here’s one I will actually look forward to seeing. Variety announced that Sofia Coppola will write and direct a remake of the 1971Clint Eastwood drama The Beguiled. While it feels like every remake announcement concerns yet another beloved classic (or cult classic) from my childhood, this one is just old enough that a fresh take on the story could feasibly be really interesting to see come to life.
Alongside the announcement of Coppola’s involvement, it has been revealed that both Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning, actresses who have worked with the director previously, are already in talks to star in the film. Fanning starred in Somewhere in 2010, and Dunst has worked with Coppola repeatedly over the years, including starring in Marie Antoinette and The Virgin Suicides. On top of this, reports say that Coppola may bring a Hollywood icon into her arsenal for the first time: Nicole Kidman is also in talks for a role.
The Beguiled tells the story of a wounded Yankee soldier, played by Eastwood in the original film, who takes shelter at an all-girls boarding school at the end of the Civil War, after being rescued by a young girl. Love and jealousy, of course, become central themes as the young man plays with the hearts of students and faculty alike. No announcement has been made or even floated as to who will play the young male lead. Given Eastwood’s heartthrob status in the ’70s, this could become a who’s who of casting predictions as the film gets further underway.
Much like Coppola’s loyal relationship building history with Fanning and Dunst, Eastwood worked on the 1971 film with director Don Siegel, who he also collaborated with on films like Dirty Harry and Escape from Alcatraz.
How do you feel about Hollywood’s recent propensity for remakes? Is The Beguiled historic enough at this point to warrant a remake and do you think it could succeed where other remakes have failed? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
—
HT:Â Variety
Image: Getty Images/Dave Kotinsky
