Vertigo Remake Writer Admits He’s an Idiot for Taking It On

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As a cinephile, I can’t help but marvel at Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 masterpiece, Vertigo. This psychological thriller, starring James Stewart and Kim Novak, has been consistently ranked among the greatest films ever made in cinema history. Despite an initial mixed reception upon its release, over time it underwent a complete reevaluation to secure its lofty position.

Reimagining this film is as futile as attempting a Godfather remake, but the rumors of its potential recreation are swirling – and even the original writer acknowledges the absurdity of such an endeavor.

Steven Knight, who has penned films such as the suspenseful “Dirty Pretty Things” and the biopic “Spencer”, along with an upcoming project featuring Angelina Jolie called “Maria”, playfully admits that he might be seen as a “fool” for trying to accomplish something seemingly unachievable by remaking a timeless classic thriller. However, this hasn’t deterred him from considering the possibility of reimagining Hitchcock’s Technicolor masterpiece. When asked about the potential remake that has been in development since 2023 by The Direct, Knight replied, “Ideas for a remake are constantly swirling around in my mind at this moment.

Currently, the screenwriter from Peaky Blinders is publicizing his latest venture, the Disney+ historical drama titled “A Thousand Blows.” He has recently discussed the potential remake of Vertigo, where Marvel Cinematic Universe icon Robert Downey Jr. might portray Scottie Ferguson, a role previously brought to life by James Stewart in Hitchcock’s films. In this upcoming reinterpretation, Downey Jr. is also serving as a producer, alongside his wife Susan. Here’s what the screenwriter had to share about this project:

I’m experiencing a recurrence of moments from around an hour ago while I was writing. It’s a renowned work, often regarded as the greatest film ever produced. Consequently, anyone attempting to adapt it must be considered less than intelligent, and that’s precisely my role in this endeavor.

You see, I really enjoy things similar to that. It’s intriguing to me. Frankly, attempting to tackle it can feel a bit daunting, like diving into an unfamiliar project. Analyzing that plot is much like disarming a wartime bomb from the second World War – it’s challenging and intense. However, it keeps me fully engaged during my conscious hours.

Remaking ‘Vertigo’ Does Sound Like a Very Bad Idea

The movie industry often revisits stories it has previously told, with even the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” being a retelling of an earlier adaptation. As technology advances, new perspectives can be brought to stories that were once limited by technical constraints. However, it seems that remakes are frequently produced in modern Hollywood, and sometimes these reinterpretations surpass the originals. While this often occurs when the original was not particularly impressive, remaking timeless cinematic masterpieces feels like an unnecessary squandering of resources when the originals continue to shine brightly.

It’s generally agreed that certain movies, like “Vertigo,” “The Godfather,” or “Taxi Driver,” hold an unrivaled status. Re-creating them is akin to reinterpreting timeless masterpieces such as these. Any contemporary adaptations might lack the same resonance due to societal shifts in culture and technology. We’ve seen numerous examples of botched remakes, like Gus Van Sant’s faithful “Psycho” remake and the 2016 adaptation of “Ben-Hur.” The originals should be treated with great care, and Steven Knight and Robert Downey Jr.’s endeavor could potentially stir up some trouble.

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2025-03-08 18:06