If you’re in the camp that believes rebooting ‘American Werewolf in London‘ is a horrible idea you should be happy to know that Edgar Wright (‘Baby Driver’) agrees with you. At one point, the famed director was approached by John Landis about helming a reboot of the film prior to Max Landis being involved and turned it down flat.
This fun little trivia fact came up during a special ‘Shaun of the Dead’ Q&A screening which Wright was part of. While talking about various projects he shared that at one pointed he had been asked to direct the reboot and the director confirmed by going on to say:
“It was years ago. Way before Max [Landis] came onboard. There was no script, just the idea of doing it. John [Landis], whom I love, asked me and I said it’s a perfect movie as far as I’m concerned, and I have nothing to add to it.”
According to /film, Max Landis reached out to them and added that the conversation between his dad and Wright really was more of a “what if” situation and nothing formal as at the time, as his dad was still trying to obtain the rights for ‘American Werewolf in London” so that he could even produce a sequel.
Fans of ‘American Werewolf in London’ can easily see why there doesn’t need to be a reboot as it still holds up today on plot, action, scares, character development, and even special effects. Wright is very passionate about the original film, and clearly, it is among one of his favorites as when he has previously spoken about it shared that:
“Off the top of my head, my favorite needle drop, and I think it’s magical, is the cut to the end credits of An American Werewolf in London. Every time I watch that movie, I just think it’s the perfect, perfect ending. I don’t know how to talk about it without ruining it for someone who has never seen it. It’s such a tragic, heartbreaking ending and then a cut to black and the most upbeat, doo-wop version of “Blue Moon” by The Marcels. I remember the first time I saw it; it gave me such a rush and goosebumps. And it still does. I think it’s the greatest cut-to-black credits song ever. It sort of sums up the mischief of the movie. There’s real alchemy in that movie. It somehow manages to do everything. It’s funny and scary and heart-wrenching at the same time.”
If you feel something is perfect, there really wouldn’t be a feasible want to go back and redo it.
Do you agree with Edgar Wright’s assessment of ‘American Werewolf in London’? Would you have been more or less interested in a remake if he had been attached to direct it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
