TV and movie remakes are a trend that has Hollywood in a chokehold and these shows and movies remakes are in the works. Keep scrolling to see what they are.
Barbershop TV Series
Recently it was announced the Prime Video after acquiring MGM Plus would be remaking and spinning off some of the projects MGM has released in the past, that includes another attempt at a barbershop series.
Man on Fire
Netflix has ordered an eight-episode series of Man on Fire, based on the first two books in A.J. Quinnell’s series, which was previously adapted into two feature films. The series tells the story of John Creasy, a former mercenary on a mission to avenge the death of his friend while protecting his daughter from the same forces that destroyed her family.
READ: ‘Man on Fire’ Series Remake in the Works at Netflix
Hoodlum
MGM+ Studios is developing a Hoodlum TV show remake based on the 1997 MGM film of the same name for its newly rebranded streamer MGM+ (formally known as EPIX). Written by Chris Brancato the period drama series will center on Harlem crime boss Stephanie St. Clair aka Madam Queen (portrayed by Cicely Tyson in the film). (click here for more details)
Blade
The 1998 original franchise led by Wesley Snipes, was based on the character who first appeared was in the 1973 comic book The Tomb of Dracula. “Blade” was born as a human-vampire hybrid and has spent his long life seeking to rid the world of vampires like the one that killed his mother. Over the years, he has mastered his own style of fighting monsters of all kinds.
The remake is underway with Mahershala Ali starring as Blade. as well as Delroy Lindo and Aaron Pierre. (click here for more details)
Man on Fire
Netflix has ordered an eight-episode series of ‘Man on Fire,’ based on the first two books in A.J. Quinnell’s series, which was previously adapted into two feature films including the 2004 film led by Denzel Washington. The series tells the story of John Creasy, a former mercenary on a mission to avenge the death of his friend while protecting his daughter from the same forces that destroyed her family. (click here for more details)
The Killer
The original 1989 film starred Chow Yun Fat and followed an assassin who takes one last job to earn enough money to restore the sight of a singer he blinded.
The remake will star Omar Sy and Nathalie Emmanuel with original director John Woo attached to direct and produce the film. (click here for more details)
Little Shop of Horrors
This 1986 black comedy musical was actually a film adaptation based on the 1982 off-Broadway musical comedy which was a remake of the 1960 film The Little Shop of Horrors. It centers on a geeky florist shop worker who finds out his Venus flytrap has an appetite for human blood. The film starred Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia, Steve Martin, Tichina Arnold, and Tisha Campbell.
The remake is currently underway.
The Preacher’s Wife
The 1996 film follows preacher Henry Biggs who after he begins to doubt himself and his work is visited by an angel, Dudley. Dudley who is supposed to come to earth to help Biggs over his midlife crisis, is soon distracted by the cleric’s wife Julia. The film starred Courtney Vance, Denzel Washington, and Whitney Houston.
Anthony Hemingway is directing The Preacher’s Wife remake that will also see original cast member Courtney B. Vance reprising his role. (click here for more details)
Bad Genius
Benedict Wong, Jabari Banks and Callina Liang are starring in the English-language remake to the 2017 hit Thai film ‘Bad Genius.’ (click here for more details)
The Bodyguard
The Bodyguard was released in 1992 starring Kevin Costner, Whitney Houston, Gary Kemp, Bill Cobbs and Ralph Waite. The film follows a former United States Secret Service agent turned bodyguard who is hired to protect a famous actress and singer from an unknown stalker. Kasdan wrote the film in the mid-1970s, originally as a vehicle for Steve McQueen and Diana Ross.
In September 2021 it was announced that there was a remake underway with Tony-nominated The Inheritance playwright Matthew López attached to pen the film. No casting news as of yet.
Aristocats
Disney’s classic animated film The Aristocats is set to receive a live-action and CGI hybrid remake with Questlove attached to direct. In addition to directing the film, Questlove will also serve as an executive producer and oversee the movie’s music. (click here for more details)
White Men Can’t Jump
The 1992 film centered on two street basketball hustlers (Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson) who at first try to hustle each other, then team up for a bigger score around LA.
The reboot stars Jack Harlow, Sinqua Walls in lead roles as well as the late Lance Reddick, Teyana Taylor, Laura Harrier, Tamera ‘Tee’ Kissen. It will be released May 19, 2023. (click here for more details)
Wizard of Oz
Kenya Barris is attached to write and direct the Wizard of Oz remake for Warner Bros.
While we all know the original 1939 movie, details on the new version are being left under wraps. The Wizard of Oz remake is said to be a modern reimagining of the iconic musical. (click here for more details)
Scarface
The infamous Scarface we know and love, which was released in 1983, is a remake of the 1932 film of the same name. It centers on Cuban refugee Tony Montana (Al Pacino), who arrives penniless in 1980s Miami and goes on to become a powerful drug lord. The film co-stars Steven Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Robert Loggia.
The remake has been in the works for a decade now, in September 21, according to reports, Universal is considering Michael B. Jordan for the lead role.
Matlock
There’s a Matlock remake headed to CBS starring Skye Marshall and Kathy Bates. It’s a modern adaptation of the classic legal TV drama, originally starring Andy Griffith.
Matlock’s story follows the character of Madeline Matlock (Bates), a brilliant septuagenarian who returns to work at a prestigious law firm after achieving success earlier in her life. Using her unassuming demeanor and crafty tactics, Matlock fights to win cases and expose corruption within the firm. (click here for more details)
Spawn
In 1997, Todd McFarlane’s Spawn comic book series was adapted into a film that saw Michael Jai White lead the anti-hero blockbuster into a cult classic. Now there is a reboot underway for years but nothing has spawned (get it) from initial development just yet. (click here for more details)
The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid is an upcoming American musical fantasy film directed by Rob Marshall from a screenplay written by David Magee. It is a live-action adaptation of Disney’s 1989 animated film of the same name, which itself is loosely based on the 1837 fairy tale of the same title by Hans Christian Andersen. The film stars Halle Bailey in the titular role, Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Noma Dumezweni, Javier Bardem, and Melissa McCarthy.
Plans for a remake of 1989’s The Little Mermaid were confirmed in May 2016 with filming taking place primarily at Pinewood Studios in England from January to July 2021.
X-Files
The rumor mills is churning that Ryan Coogler is eyeing a new franchise to adapt. According to Bloody Disgusting, in a recent interview with CBC’s On The Coast with Gloria Macarenko, X-Files creator Chris Carter said Ryan Coogler is developing a X-Files reboot.
“I just spoke to a young man… Ryan Coogler… who is going to remount The X-Files with a diverse cast. So he’s got his work cut out for him, because we covered so much territory.” (click here for more details)
The Saint
There’s a remake of The 1997 film The Saint which is based on Leslie Charteris’ 1920 adventure novels. The series followed Simon Templar, better known as The Saint, a Robin Hood-esque criminal and thief for hire who goes on a globetrotting adventure.
The newer version is already underway with Kwame Kwei-Armah penning the script and Regé-Jean Page cast as the new Saint character. (click here for more details)
Haunted Mansion
The original 2003 movie was inspired by Disney’s spooky Haunted Mansion theme park ride which debuted in 1969. It starred Eddie Murphy as a realtor who becomes trapped in a haunted mansion. Yara Shahidi, Terence Stamp, Nathaniel Parker, Marsha Thomason, and Jennifer Tilly appear in supporting roles.
The upcoming remake is directed by Justin Simien stars LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon, and more and is scheduled to be released on July 28, 2023. (click here for more details)
Cleopatra Jones
The original Blaxploitation film was released in 1973 and centered on Cleopatra Jones, played by Tamara Dobson, who is an undercover government agent who uses the day job of a supermodel as her cover and an excuse to travel to exotic places. She is an invaluable asset to the United States Special Agent assigned to crack down on drug-trafficking in the U.S. and abroad.
The remake is underway with Lovecraft County and Snowfall writer Ihuoma Ofordire penning it. (click here for more details)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
The upcoming computer-animated superhero film serves as a reboot of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film series, based on the characters created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.
In the film, after years of being sheltered from the human world, four mutated turtle brothers—Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael (voiced respectively by Nicolas Cantu, Shamon Brown Jr., Micah Abbey, and Brady Noon)—set out to be accepted as normal teenagers while taking on a mysterious crime syndicate and an army of mutants.
The Rose
The Rose is a 1979 Twentieth Century Fox musical romantic drama that followed a self-destructive female rock star who struggles to deal with the constant pressures of her career and the demands of those around her. The film was loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin and originally titled Pearl (after Janis Joplin’s nickname, which was also the title of her last album). The film’s screenplay was revised and fictionalized after her family declined to allow the producers the rights to her story.
The original drama starred Bette Midler as the main character. Alan Bates, Frederic Forrest, Harry Dean Stanton, Barry Primus, and David Keith also starred.
The remake is in the works with Cynthia Erivo is set to star in and produce remake that is set to pay homage to the original while putting a contemporary lens on the high price of fame. (click here for more details)
Toxic Avenger
Toxic Avenger was released in 1984 and centered on Melvin, a social misfit who works as a janitor at the Tromaville Health Club. However, one day the mayor’s bullies push him into a vat of radioactive toxic waste. The chemicals cause him to transform into a hideously deformed mutant. He also gets superhuman size and strength and becomes the Toxic Avenger, New Jersey’s first superhero. Overnight he goes from shunned outcast to underdog hero as he races to save his son, his friends, and his community from its corrupt mayor.
The remake is underway with Macon Blair directing Taylour Paige, Peter Dinklage, and Jacob Tremblay. (click here for more details)
Starsky and Hutch
An update of the 1970s cop show Starsky & Hutch is in the offing.
Fox is developing the project, which will be feature two female characters in the title roles, via its script-to-series model. Fox Entertainment president Michael Thorn told The Hollywood Reporter he expects to have at least two scripts from writers/showrunners Sam Sklaver (Prodigal Son) and Elizabeth Peterson (The Resident) before making a decision on it.
American Son
Russell Crowe is starring in American Son, a remake of gritty French crime classic A Prophet. Rapman is directing which centers on an infamous, ruthless mobster (Crowe) who mentors a young man sent to prison (as of yet uncast) into building a relentless crime syndicate — all before the young man turns on Crowe himself.
The Color Purple
Steven Spielberg directed and produced the 1985 film of The Color Purple which was adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1982 novel by Alice Walker. The story follows the lives of African-American women — namely Celie and Nettie Harris, Shug Avery and Miss Millie — in the American South in the 1930s. It depicts African American families and relationships in early twentieth-century Georgia.
The film is being remade into a musical with Blitz Bazawule directing and H.E.R. and Corey Hawkins starring. (click here for more details)
HPI
Javicia Leslie, Judy Reyes, Deniz Akdeniz, and Amirah J are set to star opposite leads Kaitlin Olson and Daniel Sunjata in ABC”s upcoming HPI remake. The untitled series is based on the popular French detective series HPI (Haut Potentiel Intellectuel) and centers on a single mom with three kids and an exceptional mind who helps solve an unsolvable crime when she rearranges some evidence during her shift as a cleaner for the police department. (click here for more details)
Hellboy: The Crooked Man
Jack Kelsy is starring in the upcoming Hellboy reboot, Hellboy: The Crooked Man. Brian Taylor will be directing the film which will see Hellboy stranded in 1950s rural Appalachia with a rookie BPRD agent. There they discover a small community haunted by witches, led by a local devil with a troubling connection to Hellboy’s past: the Crooked Man.
Message From the Founder (Me):
As a one-person team working hard to create quality content and celebrate the beauty and diversity of Black culture, I rely on the support of people like you. If you believe in what Blex Media stands for and enjoy the content I produce, please consider donating a cup of coffee. Your contribution helps me keep the site running will enable me to expand my team and improve Blex’s platform. Thank you for being a part of the Blex community!
-Sharifa