NEWS: Young @ Heart Remake?

So we all know that remakes are here to stay, and have not yet stopped to make their way into cinemas across the planet.

Now even the elderly are getting the remake treatment.

Earlier this week, trade sources reported that the Fox Searchlight documentary, the fantastic film Young @ Heart, was going to be remade into a feature length, narrative feature. Yeah, I’ll let the wave of WTF’s come over you. It’s not the only piece of news here that will leave you with that feeling.

The doc itself was a deep look into a group of senior citizens who formed a choir, and performed versions of contemporary songs from bands ranging from Coldplay to The Talking Heads. The doc was a fantastic film, and one that really tugged at the heartstrings, leaving yours truly inspired, while also being a beyond uplifting piece of cinema.

So you would think that this would be a great film to you know, simply watch on DVD? It’s in English, it’s uplifting, and it’s a quick and brisk viewing, so why remake it? Well it is, so here’s the story.

“I’m With Cancer” scribe Will Reiser is in talks to pen the screenplay for Working Title, and there has not been a director named yet. However, that doesn’t stop having a director be “attached” to the project. Who is that director?

It appears that Stephen Daldry, yeah, the director of The Hours and The Reader, is attached to direct the film. Also, the studio, Working Title, is hoping that Daldry will join, as well as Steve Carell, as the lead. I know you all must be saying that this is just a rumor, but that may not be the case.

The news today comes from Pajiba, who have recently had two of their reports, Peter Berg off Dune and Chris Pin starring in The Blade Itself, confirmed. So taken at face value, this appears as though Working Title may just be shooting for stars right now, with a list of actors that would fit if Carrel is out, but it sounds like this may indeed be happening.

I have two different feelings about this film, personally.

First, I hate remakes, so the fact that not only is this film going to be a remake, but a remake of a fantastic and really recent film, that is available at any and all rental stores. It’s beyond excessable, so really, everyone ranging from tween to geriatric can enjoy Young @ Heart without much worry.

That said, I do like Daldry in the directors chair, if it does happen. The Playlist brings up a fantastic point, in that he has had great experience with mixing in inspirational material without going into complete sentimentality, especially with his 2000 film, Billy Elliot, a film I do truly love. However, as much as I love Daldry, the idea of this film, along with the possibility of Carell in the lead leaves me wondering that, instead of a heartwarming look at this group, it’s going to be a Hollywood remake, and that I really can’t get into. Hopefully I will be wrong, but this is on my no hope list.

What do YOU think?

Go see something good!