‘Easy Rider’ Reboot in the Works: Rights Holders to Update Dennis Hopper-Peter Fonda Classic (EXCLUSIVE)
By: By Matt Donnelly VARIETY
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
‘Easy Rider’ Reboot in the Works: Rights Holders to Update Dennis Hopper-Peter Fonda Classic (EXCLUSIVE)
A reimagining of the classic 1969 counterculture film “ Easy Rider ” is in early development, Variety has learned exclusively.
A consortium of stakeholders and producers — including Maurice Fadida ’s Kodiak Pictures, Defiant Studios’ Eric B. Fleischman, and the Jean Boulle Group — own the adaptation rights to the project originally released by Columbia Pictures.
The original “Easy Rider” is credited with showcasing a changing sociopolitical landscape in America, particularly through the lens of its restless and progressive youth. Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda and Terry Southern wrote the drug-laden motorcycle epic, which Hopper directed and in which both he and Fonda starred. The film is also known for giving an early boost to a young Jack Nicholson .
Producers behind the reboot are currently in search of bold writers and/or directors to update the project for modern times with the same fringe spirit (filmmakers used the Michael B. Jordan’s “Creed” and its relationship to the “Rocky” as a comp for their ambitions).
“Our goal is to build upon the counterculture and freedom narrative the original left us with, and give the youth of today a film that pays serious attention to their own countercultures and challenges,” Fadida told Variety . “What the young viewers of today are experiencing in their everyday lives may seem crazy to older generations, but it can very well become the societal norm, as was the case with the cultural shift of the late 1960s. We are hoping to play a part in that shift.”
In its day, “Easy Rider” scored two Oscar nominations and contended for the Cannes Film Festival’s coveted Palme d’Or prize. It ranks as one of the best 100 films of all time from the American Film Institute. The project also grossed $60 million at the worldwide box office on a reported $400,000 budget.
The Jean Boulle Group deals in natural resources, medical technology, therapeutics, and philanthropy. It has completed transactions up to $5 billion. The group often co-invests alongside state investment and pension funds and uses industry knowledge to discover, evaluate and develop new enterprises.
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NO WAY!!!!!
My guess would be that this movie never gets made.
From your fingertips to God's eyes. (an updated variation of From your lips to God's ears)
Agreed. If it does get made, it will probably tank at the box office.
Why would you say that? Sex, drugs and rock-n-roll are still popular in young adult entertainment.
Theme from Easy Rider, ''Born to be Wild''.
Easy Rider is not merely iconic, it is the Holy Grail of a whole generation. Something that sacred cannot in any way be rebooted or remade. If Joan of Ark could have been burned at the stake, I wouldn't be surprised if movie theatres showing such a reboot would be ignited by arsonists.
I dont know about that, but I dont see this story translating into anything interesting 50 years later. Easy Rider is of a specific time and place.
John, how old were you in 1969?
19
Okay, then I'll assume you weren't a hippie back then.
One cannot improve on or "reboot" cinematic perfection, because that is what Easy Rider was!
Lol!
There are certain movies that I would describe as such besides Easy Rider. Casablanca would qualify. What would you add?
The original "All Quiet On The Western Front" comes to mind.
Kinda funny Buzz. There is nothing sacred in Hollywood. Everything gets remade, rebooted, retooled and recycled. Everything. This is not an endorsement, nor a condemnation. It just is.
The movie is little more than a road trip movie with a commentary on where America was in the 60s. This story directly translates to our current political divide centered on identity politics.
Not so. Many movies might endure those fates, but as well many do not and I doubt that will continue. I can't see Citizen Kane, Casablanca, The Third Man, and many others suffering the fates you list.
Maybe so, but that particular combination of music, drugs and their effects, hippies in a hippy commune, bikers, was special for what it was at the time. Their disastroius end reflects the disastrous end of the era.
Pat, please tell me what you posted, because I'm unable to open a YouTube.
I'm sorry Buzz, I forgot. It's a YouTube of The Ballad of Easy Rider by The Byrds. Love that song.
No problem, I can enjoy listening to the songs both you and Kavika have posted on bilibili.
Considering I have never seen the first one...
Neither have I. I recall seeing the movie previews at the time.
I only needed to take one glance and I knew that I had no interest in spending the time or money to see that.
As I've said to you before, chacun a son gout.
You can't miss what you never knew.