Remake The Wild Wild West

One of the recent gaffs by the studios was the big-screen adaptation of The Wild Wild West. The primary mistake was in tailoring it as a Will Smith vehicle. With a comedic element established by his presence, they threw everything else in behind it, to support the comedic brand of the star. This was not like the series. Sure, the show had a campy style to it, but at the same time, it had a steam-punk flavor to it. The campiness came in because of a stinted budget, at which point it became self-referencing, signalling that it isn't taking itself seriously. But that's what TV did in those days: it hid the low production values behind a campy twist. I saw this show within the last few years, on the DVD sets, all four seasons, mostly for the nostalgic value. Everything else about it was marred by the low standards typical of the era. However, as I was watching it, I wished that some studio would do for The Wild Wild West what Christopher Nolan did for Batman. There is potential in the premise for something really good. I'm hoping I see that before I die.

And if a studio ever gets around to it, Anson Mount is the perfect James West. This is the man. He's got that steel-eyed, hero-jawed look necessary for the lead, and we already know how he looks in western clothes. And he's got just the right acting range to make it convincing. He looks like a man who has more going on behind his eyes than he's letting on, like an animal coiled. This is the man. He can bring that dark quality to it, and I'm sure some humor can be inserted to the degree that it doesn't overshadow the overall feel. Something along the lines of what they've done for James Bond in the last few years would be a good approach.

I hope they get to it, and soon, while he's still young enough.


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Alric