Russell Brand to do a Remake of Drop Dead Fred
The 1991 Rik Mayall comedy film Drop Dead Fred is to be remade – with Russell Brand in the starring role.
Dennis McNicholas, a longtime writer on Saturday Night Live, is reworking the script for Universal Studios.
The decision to remake the movie might raise eyebrows, as the original was a critical and box-office flop. However, it has gained some cult status, and trade magazine The Hollywood Reporter says it ‘is considered a film that fell short of its full potential’.
The magazine adds: ‘The take for the new Fred is to make a film in the tone of Beetlejuice, building a universe around the concept of imaginary friends. Brand would play the trouble-making pal.’
The original starred Phoebe Cates as a meek woman who revives her childhood imaginary friend after losing her job and husband.
Brand is currently shooting Get Him To The Greek – a spin-off from Forgetting Sarah Marshall – also for Universal; and he has also been lined up to star in a remake of Arthur.
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