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War of the Worlds Remake

subtropolis writes "The Guardian has an article about a remake of the classic. Spielberg directing, T. Cruise acting. The guy who did Jurassic Park I & II did the screenplay. Anyone else think Bruce Sterling would've been a good choice for that? Quoth the article: 'While HG Wells was an enthusiastic supporter of many of the film adaptations of his work, the likely attitude that Orson Welles might have had to another director taking one of the works with which he became most closely associated, can only be a matter of conjecture.'"

38 of 518 comments (clear)

  1. No more imagination.. by grub · · Score: 5, Funny


    What's next, a remake of Citizen Kane, Casablanca or Blade Runner?

    Don't laugh, in 50 years you may very well be taking your grandkids to a remake of Star Wars..

    --
    Trolling is a art,
    1. Re:No more imagination.. by FrostedWheat · · Score: 4, Funny

      Don't laugh, in 50 years you may very well be taking your grandkids to a remake of Star Wars..

      Knowing Lukas, in 50 years we'll be taking the grandkids to see the super special enhanced version of the remake of the remake.

    2. Re:No more imagination.. by flewp · · Score: 3, Funny

      Don't laugh, in 50 years you may very well be taking your grandkids to a remake of Star Wars..

      I'm tempted to think a remake of any of the new Star Wars could only be a good thing....

      --
      WWJD.... for a Klondike bar?
    3. Re:No more imagination.. by Wireless+Joe · · Score: 3, Funny

      "Sodom and Gommarah starring Ben Affleck..."

      At least we know there will be a co-starring role for Matt Damon in this one...
    4. Re:No more imagination.. by EvilTwinSkippy · · Score: 2, Funny

      Glad I didn't have lunch yet. The thought of that love scene brought on more dry heaves than being on a dive boat in 12 foot seas.

      --
      "Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival."
      --Dr.W.Edwards Deming
    5. Re:No more imagination.. by Speare · · Score: 4, Funny

      Sodom and Gommarah starring Ben Affleck with Charlise Theron as Lot's wife.

      This is slashdot, dude. Natalie Portman *must* be the actress who is petrified.

      --
      [ .sig file not found ]
    6. Re:No more imagination.. by Mateito · · Score: 2, Funny

      > Samson with The Rock and J.Lo

      Except when you cut his hair he turns into Eric Banner.

  2. In other news.... by Kenja · · Score: 5, Funny

    In other news, engineers are working on wrapping Orson Welles body in copper wire as a means to harness the energy generated by him spinning in his grave.

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
  3. Here's an idea... by Yoda2 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Let's post some juicy excerpts from the book as /. stories and see how may geeks panic and run for the hills.

  4. Could not wee get someone taller by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I have noticed that in most Tom Cruise films the camera angles are such that you never get to see how short he really is.

  5. parser overflow by ch-chuck · · Score: 2, Funny

    "While HG Wells was an enthusiastic supporter of many of the film adaptations of his work, the likely attitude that Orson Welles might have had to another director taking one of the works with which he became most closely associated, can only be a matter of conjecture."

    --
    try { do() || do_not(); } catch (JediException err) { yoda(err); }
  6. Re:I see bad things happening... by swb · · Score: 4, Funny

    People are so fscking stupid that unless they saw "Independence Day"-style ships vaporizing city blocks, they wouldn't react to even a REAL invasion, and even then it'd be something like "Hey honey, did we upgrade to 3D cable or something...?"

  7. Not Tom. by big_groo · · Score: 3, Funny

    Please. Anyone but Tom. Seriously.

    1. Re:Not Tom. by pavon · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yes, I recomend Rob Schneider.

    2. Re:Not Tom. by sharkey · · Score: 5, Funny

      Keanu Reeves!

      Whoa.

      --

      --
      "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  8. Re:Script writer by Kenja · · Score: 4, Funny
    "...but the dialog was, for the most part, dopey."

    What are you talking about, "this is UNIX, I know this" was one of the best comedic lines ever written. I laughed so hard I was thrown out of the theater.

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
  9. starring: by maxbang · · Score: 3, Funny

    Will Smith as one of the aliens, Gwyneth Paltrow as a microbe, and Sam Rockwell as the president. I, for one, welcome our Hollywood rape-daptorlords.

    --
    I also reply below your current threshold.
  10. Mars Fever! by Marco_polo · · Score: 2, Funny

    What a blatant attempt to capitalize on the Mars fever in america. I bet the martians heard Bush was coming soon, and decided to be pre-emptive.

    they hid their MWMD :)

    --
    I am the lord of the pun. Dance Knave!
  11. Re:Hollywood declares war on a classic by anzha · · Score: 4, Funny

    The difference between Heinlein's Starship Troopers and the movie 'adaptation' will probably be the same in this instance.

    Repeat after me. There was no Starship Troopers movie.

    --
    Do you know why the road less traveled by is littered with the bones of the unwary?
  12. slime by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    a made-for-tv hack director with a scientologist in the lead role. yuk

  13. Re:Hollywood declares war on a classic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    would prefer some artsy director and a cast of unknowns
    Yeah, like Starship troopers...

  14. Re:Not as bad as it could be by GPLDAN · · Score: 2, Funny

    Michael Bay AND Vin Diesel! kewl! Could we get Nick Cage in there somehow?

  15. Top 10 Spielberg Changes to 'War of the Worlds' by Ruprecht+the+Monkeyb · · Score: 5, Funny

    10. Addition of 'good alien' who helps the poor humans escape.
    9. Movie being remade as a comeback vehicle for Kate Capshaw
    8. Additional 30 minute epilogue containing interminable scenes of humanity and the aliens co-existing in the far future
    7. What? No Tom Hanks?
    6. Grover's Mill insufficiently multicultural, so location will be moved to San Francisco.
    5. Aliens killed by sneaking oxygen tank aboard spaceship and shooting it with a rifle.
    4. Main characters will be ethnically-diverse adolescents that are smarter than all the adults. (Note: unknown whether Tom will play an adult or child)
    3. Aliens will be cute, furry, and ever-so-marketable.
    2. Changes 'War' to 'Misunderstanding' so as to not upset children.
    1. Complete abandonment of subtlety, moral ambiguity, or any semblance of creativity

  16. Re:Hollywood declares war on a classic by HaveNoMouth · · Score: 5, Funny
    I think you dislike Cruise just because he's Cruise and not necessarily for any specific acting reason. As much as people tag him as an "action" hero, he's actually not. How many "action" pictures has he actually been in? Most of his films are deeper than that. The Last Samurai was an excellent film.

    Right on. "Mission Impossible" (1 and 2), for example, were fantastically deep films, with downright Mamet-like plots, and Cruise was fantastic in them! They greatly exceeded the quality of the TV show!

    Likewise with "Minority Report." What a wonderful triumph of cinematic art that was! Why, if PKD were alive I'm sure it would have brought a tear to his eye.

    I was really thinking Cruise had far too much gravitas and depth for WoW. I really believe the part should go to someone with a lighter touch, who could be more believable in the role. Like Pauly Shore or maybe Rob Schneider.

    Not.

  17. I, for one, ... by hummassa · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm happy and I rejoice. Anyone including my father-in-law is better than Ben Affleck. As long as he doesn't ruin one more movie, I welcome our Tom Cruise overlord!!!! :-)

    --
    It's better to be the foot on the boot than the face on the pavement. ~~ tkx Kadin2048
  18. I think it's the movies. by khasim · · Score: 4, Funny

    Top Gun - Tom is the bestest pilot ever.

    The Color of Money - Tom is the bestest pool player ever.

    Cocktail - Tom is the bestest bartender ever.

    Days of Thunder - Tom is the bested driver ever.

    Mission Impossible 1 - Tom is the bestest spy ever.

    Mission Impossible 2 - Tom is the bestest spy ever, again.

    Okay, you see the pattern here. You're right. You don't see the character in the movie. I don't know if that's because they don't give him much character depth to work with or what.

  19. Orson Welle's reaction... by Doug+Merritt · · Score: 2, Funny
    the likely attitude that Orson Welles might have had to another director taking one of the works with which he became most closely associated, can only be a matter of conjecture

    I think we can predict quite well how he would have reacted to the coming remake of his masterpiece: "Halloween Part 7: Freddy Krueger versus Citizen Kane", starring Geraldo Rivera.

    --
    Professional Wild-Eyed Visionary
  20. Re:Save Money, Skip the Movie, Read the Book by nomadic · · Score: 2, Funny

    Doesn't help with Starship Troopers, the book's not that great either.

  21. Re:Better ending? by Fishstick · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hmmm, maybe the twist will be that HIV mutates to MIV and the invaders all die of AIDS.

    On the mac + alienos thing, remember this?


    Independence Day - CERT alert

    From: CERT Bulletin
    Newsgroups: comp.security.announce,rec.humor
    Subject: CERT Advisory CA-96.13 - Alien/OS Vulnerability
    Date: 4 July 1996 20:52:15 GMT
    Organization: CERT(sm) Coordination Center - +1 412-268-7090
    CERT(sm) Advisory CA-96.13
    July 4, 1996
    Topic: ID4 virus, Alien/OS Vulnerability

    The CERT Coordination Center has received reports of weaknesses in
    Alien/OS that can allow species with primitive information sciences
    technology to initiate denial-of-service attacks against MotherShip(tm)
    hosts. One report of exploitation of this bug has been received.
    When attempting takeover of planets inhabited by such races, a trojan
    horse attack is possible that permits local access to the MotherShip
    host, enabling the implantation of executable code with full root access
    to mission-critical security features of the operating system.
    The vulnerability exists in versions of EvilAliens' Alien/OS 34762.12.1
    or later, and all versions of Microsoft's Windows/95. CERT advises
    against initiating further planet takeover actions until patches
    are available from these vendors. If planet takeover is absolutely
    necessary, CERT advises that affected sites apply the workarounds as
    specified below.
    As we receive additional information relating to this advisory, we will
    place it in
    ftp://info.cert.org/pub/cert_advisories/CA-96.13.R EADME
    We encourage you to check our README files regularly for updates on
    advisories that relate to your site.

    I. Description
    Alien/OS contains a security vulnerability, which strangely enough
    can be exploited by a primitive race running Windows/95. Although
    Alien/OS has been extensively field tested over millions of years by
    EvilAliens, Inc., the bug was only recently discovered during a
    routine invasion of a backwater planet. EvilAliens notes that
    the operating system had never before been tested against a race
    with "such a kick-ass president."
    The vulnerability allows the insertion of executable code with
    root access to key security features of the operating system. In
    particular, such code can disable the NiftyGreenShield (tm)
    subsystem, allowing child processes to be terminated by unauthorized
    users.
    Additionally, Alien/OS networking protocols can provide a
    low-bandwidth covert timing channel to a determined attacker.
    II. Impact
    Non-privileged primitive users can cause the total destruction of
    your entire invasion fleet and gain unauthorized access to
    files.
    III. Solution
    EvilAliens has supplied a workaround and a patch, as follows:
    A. Workaround
    To prevent unauthorized insertion of executables, install a
    firewall to selectively vaporize incoming packets that do not
    contain valid aliens. Also, disable the "Java" option in
    Netscape.
    To eliminate the covert timing channel, remove untrusted
    hosts from routing tables. As tempting as it is, do not use
    target species' own satellites against them.
    B. Patch
    As root, install the "evil" package from the distribution tape.
    (Optionally) save a copy of the existing /usr/bin/sendmail and
    modify its permission to prevent misuse.

    The CERT Coordination Center thanks Jeff Goldblum and Fjkxdtssss for
    providing information for this advisory.

    If you believe that y

    --

    There is much cruelty in the universe, John.
    Yeah, we seem to have the tour map.

  22. You forgot one by Smallpond · · Score: 2, Funny


    Legend - Tom is the worst fantasy hero ever.

  23. Re:Ender's Game by AndroidCat · · Score: 3, Funny

    Perhaps. We can hope, but Hollyweird normally treats scripts from the orignal writer like a Vogon treats orders to save his grandmother from the Ravinous Bugblatter Beast of Traal.

    --
    One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
  24. Re:Hollywood declares war on a classic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny
    Somewhere out there is a writer with an original story, a powerbook and a digicam.

    And he is making gay porn.

  25. SPOILER! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Knowing Lukas, in 50 years we'll be taking the grandkids to see the super special enhanced version of the remake of the remake.

    In that version, Greedo attempts to shoot first, Han knocks the blaster out of his hand using a knife-hand block (think "Wax on/Wax off"), and then proceeds to kick the shit out of him slow-motion, Matrix-style.

  26. Re:Save Money, Skip the Movie, Read the Book by Mateito · · Score: 2, Funny

    > Well, call me unimaginative

    Unimaginative!

    (Like this post)

  27. Re:Hollywood declares war on a classic by Minwee · · Score: 4, Funny

    And there was only one sequel to Alien. And only one Highlander.

  28. Re:Better ending? by wass · · Score: 2, Funny
    Like the ships, which were not flying vehicles per se but rather were launched like bullets from a big cannon on Mars, will probably be updated.

    Yeah, in this remake the vehicles will be shot out from a giant Martian walkie-talkie instead of a cannon.

    --

    make world, not war

  29. SNEEZE WARNING by spun · · Score: 3, Funny

    No doubt he'll discover their weakness and sneeze on the alien commander in a climactic battle on the mothership.

    After Cruise uses an Apple laptop to hack through the alien's security, there will be a big, Matrix-like fight sequence with the evil alien commander, whose name is Xenu. Cruise will sneeze and droplets will fly out of his nose, bullet-time style. Expect extreme slow motion close ups of phlegm hitting Xenu. The whole sequence will last 15 minutes.

    --
    - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
  30. Re:Hollywood declares war on a classic by kaens · · Score: 2, Funny

    "A good 1985 adaptation."

    the preview button is your best freind.

    unless mr. orwell made a sequel?......