Wish the 2004 medieval action movie “King Arthur” had featured more wizardry? What about a more epic narrative? Fans of the Camelot story who take their Arthurian legend with a side of magic and myth will be delighted to hear that Bryan Singer (“X-Men”) is negotiating to produce, and possibly helm, a remake of the 1981 sword-and-sorcery picture “Excalibur.”
Why Warner Bros. is looking to a barely classic film for a redo rather than simply adapting the story anew is beyond me. But I guess there is a shortage of possible titles for a movie about Arthur and his Round Table Knights. This practice of planning remakes has become almost second nature to Hollywood at this point. We can't really blame the studio for marching along to the trendiest beat.
As for why Singer is on board, I wonder if it has anything to do with the negative response to his involvement with a new “Battlestar Galactica” movie potentially having nothing to do with the recently finished Sci Fi Channel TV series. Perhaps he needed some new project to divert that attention away from him. This is certainly a less controversial remake, if nothing else.
Of course, the trade-supported rumors that Singer is interested in directing “X-Men: First Class” could have sufficiently appeased the geeks. Or, his reps could focus more on the fact Singer’s definite next gig is helming the “Jack and the Beanstalk”-based action movie “Jack the Giant Killer.”
It’s possible that Singer’s unwelcome “Battlestar” movie will go into production after that fairy tale flick, but hopefully he’s putting the thing on the backburner in order to let the TV show fans get over their beloved series and the idea of it being redone for the big screen.
Personally I’d rather he follow “Jack” with “X-Men,” but that’s mainly because I don’t want another less-capable director to do it, having been disappointed by Brett Ratner and Gavin Hood’s franchise installments. However, I don’t mind him tackling “Excalibur” second, either, because I honestly don’t have strong memories of John Boorman’s original.
Would I prefer he do a movie with the same title that instead features Captain Britain, Shadowcat and the rest of the Anglo-centric Marvel superhero team? Yes. Would it be more appropriate from the director of the first two “X-Men” films? Certainly.
Really, though, the guy can do any other project he chooses so long as it keeps him from making “BSG” for as long as possible.
Are you excited about an “Excalibur” remake from the director of “X-Men”? Do you hope this takes precedence over his “Battlestar Galactica” project?
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