While the original ‘Flatliners’ by Joel Schumacher in 1990 may not be a terrible film, it can be said that it had a pretty stellar premise and it did occur almost 27 years ago, hence why it is ripe for a Hollywood remake now. The new film is being produced by Michael Douglas and directed by Niels Arden Oplev (‘The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’), and already it looks like it is stepping up the intensity from the original, although I have to agree with many who are saying that the cast of the original is definitely better.
The first ‘Flatliners’ had Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, William Baldwin, Oliver Platt and Kevin Bacon, a pretty star-studded group even by today’s standards. The remake has its share of stars to be sure, with Ellen Page (‘Inception’), Diego Luna (‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’), Nina Dobrev (The Perks of Being a Wallflower’), James Norton (‘Happy Valley’) and Kiersey Clemons (‘Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising’), but they just are not quite on the same level as the original. However, they will get a little boost as it seems Kiefer Sutherland will be making a return in the film, in what seems to be more than a cameo, and may actually be him playing the same character from the original (though he does not appear in any of the trailers). According to Sutherland about his return in the new film:
“I play a professor at the medical university. It is never stated, but it will probably be very clearly understood that I’m the same character I was in the original Flatliners but that I have changed my name and I’ve done some things to move on from the experiments that we were doing in the original film.”
Check out the new trailer for yourself, and let us know your thoughts on the new film, the new cast, and whether you think it is worth the price of admission in the comments section below!
In Flatliners, five medical students, hoping to gain insight into the mystery of what lies beyond the confines of life, embark on a daring and dangerous experiment. By stopping their hearts for short periods of time, each triggers a near-death experience. As the investigation becomes more and more perilous, they are forced to confront the sins of their pasts, as well as contend with the paranormal consequences of trespassing to the other side.
‘Flatliners’ will resuscitate in theaters on September 29.
