http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0970416/
Jennifer Connelly Joins Keanu Reeves in 'Day the Earth Stood Still' Remake
Posted Nov 6th 2007 10:32AM by Christopher Campbell
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Casting, 20th Century Fox, Newsstand, Remakes and Sequels

Wait, they still cast Jennifer Connelly in non-melodramatic roles? According to Variety, the actress has signed on for the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still. She will take on the part of "Helen Benson", the character originally played by Patricia Neal (who hopefully will be able to make a cameo), and as she does in every film, the Oscar-winning Connelly will likely emote way too much. Sure, she's fine for a lot of serious dramas, but when it comes to sci-fi/comic book movies, she hasn't really fit the part since Labyrinth, and even then she was a bit too pouty. Of course, she may seem more chipper in this remake, as she'll be acting opposite Mr. Serious himself, Keanu Reeves. As we learned long ago, Reeves will be portraying the alien Klaatu. Variety also reports that Kathy Bates may co-star in the movie, but doesn't mention the role she'd play.

I guess in some ways The Day the Earth Stood Still is a sci-fi melodrama, and Neal herself emoted plenty. In fact, she looked like she was going to start screaming and/or bawling in nearly every scene I recall. But then, she doesn't actually cry when you expect her to. She almost acts like more of a robot than Gort. And this should be fine, since aside from emoting, Connelly is good at looking drowsy and a bit empty. Anyway, I can't imagine the remake is going to have the same serious tone as the original. Hollywood just doesn't make movies like that anymore. Certainly the redo will not have Bernard Hermann's iconic music or Leo Tover's beautiful black and white cinematography to give it the same atmosphere. As we've told you previously, the new version is being directed by Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose) and has been written, according to Variety, by novelist Ryne Douglas Pearson (Simple Simon which became the movie Mercury Rising) and David Scarpa (The Last Castle), who penned a rewrite. The remake begins shooting in Vancouver next month.

that would be great if that is happen... i already watched the first one and i find it nice and very entertaining to watch. Because the concept of the story was totally different watch the usual movie.

This looks good:goodpost:

thats the first of me hearing about this movie remake. sounds good with a good cast to boot

I think this is a bad idea. It could be good. I'm not dissing remakes. I'm just not sure it will be as enjoyable for me as the original. King Kong was a great remake. But I can't think of another.

Hollywood usually 99% of the time makes a complete balls-up of any remake. I'm a sci-fi fan and to be honest I'm not gonna hold my breath waiting for them to do a decent sci-fi remake.

If he'd been Anthony Hopkins and Meryl Streeps love child Keanu Reeves probably still wouldn't be able act his way into a part for the local AmDram production of "Its Wood But It Looks Good". He's OK playing people from another planet, that's the best thing I can say about him to be brutally honest. Whoever's employed to do the casting for this wants a good smack IMHO.

I gotta agree with sleepyhead, to be honest. It's very rare you find a "re-make" that is actually a better viewing experience, than the original. Eg - War of The Worlds, The Omen, The Stepford Wives, etc, etc. Admittedly remakes will always LOOK better, because of the huge advances that have been made in special effects and general film quality, but the actual viewing experience never lives up to the experience of watching the original. Even John Carpenters awesome version of The Thing, doesn't quite capture the tension of the original from the 50's, even though it looks a million times better!

The two exceptions would have to be king Kong (which was kind of like a whole new story as opposed to a straight forward remake) and The Incredible Hulk (to be fair, my nan could have done a better job than Ang Lee, and she's been stark raving mad for 15 years!).

This is one of those few films that should be left alone. It is a proper 50's melodrama, set around a sci-fi theme / plot and hollywood will make another balls - up by giving it a "makeover". Especially if they put Keanu Reeves in it. Te guy just can't act. Al he does is himself, which after 1 film is ok but after 10 / 15 movies it just gets really irritating!

Anyone who hasn't seen The Day The Earth Stood Still should watch the original 50's version, then they'd understand why this film is perfect as it is, and should be left alone!

.or am I just having a rant?!