10 Movie Remakes We Would Love to See

      We understand that you're tired of Hollywood remakes and wish studios would prioritize new ideas.

      However, the following movies truly warrant remakes. Some had intriguing concepts that didn't translate well to the big screen, while others are based on source material that merits further exploration.

      These are exceptional films that genuinely deserve remakes capable of realizing their potential.

      **Black Widow (1987)**

      Credit: 20th Century Fox

      The original Black Widow — distinct from the Marvel film featuring Scarlett Johansson — is an excellent neo-noir about a Department of Justice official (Debra Winger) who becomes fixated on a mysterious woman (Theresa Russell) known for killing her husbands.

      So, why consider a remake? Why alter something that works?

      In this instance, the original Black Widow contains a sapphic subtext that wasn't fully delved into in the 1988 film. However, in today's more progressive environment, a remake could explore the depth of the women’s relationship more openly.

      **The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen**

      Credit: Twentieth Century Fox

      The original League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, adapted from the comics by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill, features one of the most fascinating concepts for a film: a collection of classic literary figures such as Allan Quatermain, Nemo, Mina Harker, Dorian Gray, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, and Tom Sawyer coming together for steampunk adventures during the Victorian Era.

      The film faced poor reviews and struggled with character balance: Sean Connery, portraying Quatermain, was the primary star, which limited the filmmakers' ability to cast equally prominent actors for other pivotal roles.

      Envision a contemporary adaptation featuring a well-balanced ensemble of stars who also excel in character acting, like Cate Blanchett, Nicolas Cage, Christian Bale, Daniel Kaluuya, and Bill Murray.

      We’d genuinely love to see this intellectual property under the direction of Wes Anderson.

      **John Carter (2012)**

      Credit: Disney

      One of the earliest intellectual properties, drawn from the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs, the creator of Tarzan, John Carter was made into a 2012 film that did poorly at the box office.

      Burroughs' John Carter series typically featured "of Mars" in the title, and simply branding the film John Carter failed to inform viewers about its premise. This was just the tip of the iceberg regarding the film's marketing woes; Michael Cavna of the Washington Post described it as one of Hollywood’s “biggest marketing flops ever.”

      While Taylor Kitsch was a capable John Carter, the film fell short in showcasing what made John Carter special — a century-old sci-fi story that influenced numerous subsequent projects, including Star Wars. Instead of being treated as an epic cinematic interpretation of a literary classic akin to the Lord of the Rings films, it was met with indifference.

      The film had a hefty production budget, which might deter future attempts at adaptation. However, this case highlights good source material with poor execution.

      **World War Z (2013)**

      Credit: Paramount Pictures

      World War Z is an enjoyable film and a competent zombie action narrative led by Brad Pitt. It performed well at the box office, grossing over $500 million.

      However, the 2006 Max Brooks novel that inspired the movie is far superior: it uses a zombie outbreak as a backdrop to examine and critique geopolitics, societal failures, and human nature itself. It's an engaging read with significant insights.

      World War Z could easily be transformed into a multi-season HBO series similar to Game of Thrones. Its superficial similarities to HBO’s The Last of Us and AMC’s The Walking Dead might hinder or benefit its reception.

      The Hollywood Reporter notes that Paramount, under new ownership, has prioritized updating World War Z for potential remakes or reboots.

      **Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)**

      Credit: STXfilms

      The 2017 movie took inspiration from the French science fiction comic series Valérian and Laureline, authored by Pierre Christin and illustrated by Jean-Claude Mézières. Since its inception in 1967, the series has been cherished, yet something essential was lost in Luc Besson's film adaptation.

      The narrative follows Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) as they journey to Alpha, a metropolis occupied by numerous species from different planets, while confronting a danger that threatens the entire universe.

      Besson, who personally financed the approximately $180 million project, had previously made the wildly imaginative sci-fi film The Fifth Element, thus raising expectations.

      However, Valerian underperformed at the box office, and critical responses were mixed, though many acknowledged Besson's bold attempt. A. O. Scott of The New York Times remarked that the film “feels as if it were made up on the spot, by someone so delighted by the gaudy genre packaging at his disposal that he lost track of what