Remakes are always a bit tricky when it comes to pleasing fans of the original, but the one where the response seems to be overwhelmingly negative all-around is the Point Break remake. I’m very solidly in the camp that’s opposed to this project, but it looks like it’s happening regardless, so we might as well pay attention to it. So far, nothing about the film has me excited, and a new piece of information released this weekend doesn’t do anything to change that.
At the press day for Transcendence, producers Broderick Johnson and Andrew A. Kosove were asked if the script for the Point Break remake follows the original film. Here’s what they had to say:
Not at all. The script only shares in common with the original the characters and the nature of the character dynamic between Utah and Bodhi and their relationship. Everything else about the movie is different. The narrative of the movie is different. While we do have surfing in the film, it is only a subset of the extreme sports that we deal with, including free-climbing, motocross, wing-suiting and so forth. The movie is being shot in 10 countries across the globe. Kathryn Bigelow’s original movie was really ahead of its time for 1991, when it came out. That was really at the infancy of what extreme sports would become with the X-Games. This movie is on a much broader scale around the world, and the narrative of the movie is completely different. What we found fascinating about the original film, and is preserved in this, is the character work and the relationship between Bodhi and Utah, who are these two gentleman on opposite of the law, but yet, at the same time, share a common bond. That’s the one element that the two movies share.
I’m torn on whether I should be happy or upset about this news. On the one hand, I’m glad to hear they aren’t going to try to follow the plot beat for beat as if they did, they’d likely fall short of doing justice to the original. Then again, if they’re not going to follow the plot at all, why even bother calling this Point Break? It’s not like Point Break was the only movie to ever deal with extreme sports. If they wanted to make an action sports movie involving a bromance, I don’t think anyone would’ve cared that it wasn’t a remake. Regardless of the reasoning, it just doesn’t seem right.
In addition to revealing that they won’t stay true to the original plot, Johnson also said that the film will be released in IMAX 3D, principal photography begins in June, the movie is being shot in 10 countries and more real athletes are being used than traditional stunt men. Unfortunately, none of that information helps in raising my excitement levels for what I feel is going to be a complete flop.
The Point Break remake will star Luke Bracey and Gerard Butler. A release date has not been announced yet, but we’ll keep you posted when we hear more.