John Landis on American Werewolf remake

I don’t think there’s a better horror-comedy than An American Werewolf in London, nor a werewolf film. It’s John Landis’ claim to fame and possibly his bane. Dimension Films optioned the rights from Landis for a remake, and while being interviewed by Collider, Landis talked about what’s going on (or lack thereof) on it.

“Dimension optioned the rights to remake An American Werewolf in London from me, two years ago, but I don’t know what they’re doing with it. When I did that, everyone was angry with me, so I said, “Look, if someone can come up with a new or interesting angle, or way to do it, he or she might make a wonderful movie.” If they do and it’s successful, then I make even more money, and I’d be delighted. If someone does a shitty job, then I look brilliant. It’s a no-lose proposition for me. Whenever people say, “How could you let them make such a shitty movie out of your book?,” to Stephen King, he always says, “Look, you can get my book. It’s right there on the shelf. Nothing has hurt the book. Go get it.” If there’s a bad remake of a movie, you can always see the original movie. How many times can you do a Shakespeare play? Well, the answer clearly is hundreds of thousands.

What’s unfortunate now is the reason they’re doing remakes and sequels and franchises, and it’s because of marketing. They have to sell pre-sold titles. The business is in a state of flux. It’s very weird. I’ve made so many movies that made more money their second and third weekend than their first because you used to open in a theater and they allowed you to build word-of-mouth. Now, it’s completely different. Movies open in thousands of theaters, and if you don’t perform in your first three days, then you have no chance to find an audience and you’re pulled. Things have evolved, and I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Thoughts?

Jon Peters

I love film. That is all.

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