Potential "VALLEY OF THE DOLLS" remake news

[ChgoTheatreGuy]

Posted: 1/31/16 at 12:34pm

It looks like a possible remake of "VALLEY OF THE DOLLS" could come together sooner than we think.  The film will be written by Paul Rudnick and the film may star Madonna as Helen Lawson, Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence as Anne Welles, Emmy Rossum as Neely O'Hara and Oscar winner Anne Hathaway as Jennifer North.  At least this time it won't be like that crappy TV remake.  I think that they should make room for Patty Duke and Barbara Parkins somewhere in the film.  Thoughts?

Updated On: 1/31/16 at 12:34 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 1/31/16 at 12:48pm

Because when we think of young women who got ahead due to cultural exploitation of her physical attributes and vulnerability, Ann Hathaway springs instantly to mind.  Bizarre. None of the ideas are especially winning, but I'd reverse Lawrence and Hathaway.  If anything, Hathaway is Barbara Parkins with talent.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/31/16 at 1:18pm

This was a rumor from around 2 years ago. Look at the date of the article you read.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 1/31/16 at 1:47pm

The only one who could do it justice would be Lee Daniels, who was interested in doing it at one time.

 

Why anyone would hire Rudnick as a screenwriter is beyond me. 

[ChgoTheatreGuy]

Posted: 1/31/16 at 1:50pm

The article was dated 1/29/16 from the WOW report...

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/31/16 at 1:52pm

The original article is old. It got picked up again as a news story because people started sharing it again online. It's like last week when people freaked out that Bob Denver died. 10 years ago.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 1/31/16 at 3:32pm

Auggie, I think ChgoThtrGuy got it wrong and the buzz is Anne is Anne and Jennifer is Jennifer.  Everything I read has suggested that.

What I find unappealing isn't the casting.  It's two things.  First, the updating.,  Part of what made Valley of the Dolls so much fun in the 60s was that it was set, at least mostly, in the 40s.  And secondly that with Rudnick penning it might be, as with his updating of The Stepford Wives, ersatz camp upon camp rather than letting the inherent camp of the material camp out on its own.  Let's hope Rudnick doesn't go that route this time.

Updated On: 1/31/16 at 03:32 PM

[Steve C.]

Posted: 1/31/16 at 3:33pm

This still seems like almost laughable camp. I also think you give too much credit to Lee Daniels. IMO, the real brain behind him is Danny Strong. His words and storylines and direction are where Empire as well as the movies, really shine.

 

Anyway, I'll plant my own (plex-i-glass) tree and watch it grow!

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/31/16 at 3:57pm

This is old news and the film was set in the 60s. The original novel however spanned 20 years from the 40s to the 60s

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/31/16 at 4:46pm

I don't know if this is true, I don't care. I can't imagine it ever happening. But I'll bite. The idea of Emmy Rossum as Neely is so misguided. Jennifer Lawrence should be playing Neely. 

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 1/31/16 at 7:01pm

Good point, Carlos.  I completely mind warped on the movie setting.  For some reason the NYC and especially the New England settings seem very old-fashioned to me, very pre-60s.  But you're right, they weren't.

Updated On: 1/31/16 at 07:01 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/1/16 at 1:17pm

And secondly that with Rudnick penning it might be, as with his updating of The Stepford Wives, ersatz camp upon camp rather than letting the inherent camp of the material camp out on its own.  Let's hope Rudnick doesn't go that route this time.

 

With Madonna attached, I can't imagine it being otherwise.  All it needs is Lohan to be cast and then subsequently fired.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/1/16 at 1:32pm

This is not happening.