First of all with today's movie making technology, this could be a great remake and secondly if they could get DDL as Ahab, he would be outstanding. I wish I was rich enough, I would produce this as an epic film.
"We're going to need a bigger boat..."
Ultimately technology is irrelevant to making a good film. It's the screenplay, performances, cinematography, and direction that matter. (And if you want to talk technology--how many films look better on the screen that Lang's The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1932)?)
I just saw this film the other night and although I would not rate it as highly as some, it certainly is a remarkable adaptation of a very difficult novel. Daniel Day Lewis (like Sean Penn) never saw a piece of scenery that he didn't chew into splinters. What would would get is unintentional farce (like Brando in the remake of The Island of Dr. Moreau).
The thought makes my flesh crawl.
You are correct about the role of screenplays, performances etc, (and especially direction) which I agree are the most important parts of a film. I didn't mean that the reason to do the remake was the new technology (lest someone really farce this movie out with the idea of making it in 3D, let me be the first to say "Don't"). I really wanted to say that the reason to do it would be DDL's performance. I believe his performance would be an absolute nailing of the deep dark psychological torment that Ahab possessed. I am continually amazed at the depth and intimacies of his performances, the nuances, the subtleties of emotions that draw the viewer into his character's world.
"We're going to need a bigger boat..."
You may have a point, but keep something in mind.
- If this movie is remade, the main character will be a CGI whale, not Ahab or Ishmael.
- All sailors will be fit muscle boys for the ladies in the audience.
- Plot and character development will be thrown to the wind. "Let's get these guys off the screen as soon as possible to show our flashy CGI fish" attitude will drive movie lovers crazy. Though I know at least one person who will never see such a remake. Myself.
- Secondary characters that make the original so fun (like the great Harry Andrews' character) will be totally lost.
BTW, I know a whale is technically not a fish.
Never be complete.
suicidea,
I feel your opinion whole-heartedly; they already tried a re-make in 1998 with Patrick Stewart. It was doggerel. And if the CGI version were ever considered, it would be smart for the filmmakers to show LESS of the whale (yes, less than even the 1956 version), which would enhance the mystery of the story.
It's a part he was born to play.
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