Some things you just shouldn't do (film, actors, oscar, watch)

[Dewmik]

I just found out that Jeff Bridges and and Matt Damon (both whom I like) will be remaking The only movie John Wayne got an Oscar for True Grit.
There's just some things you don't do. This is one of those things.
Only one man is Rooster Cogburn and the neither the actor nor the roll is duplicatable.
Maybe you have to be a John Wayne fan, Maybe have to have stood next to him at 10 years old but lack of knowledge is no excuse.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by Dewmik

I just found out that Jeff Bridges and and Matt Damon (both whom I like) will be remaking The only movie John Wayne got an Oscar for True Grit.
There's just some things you don't do. This is one of those things.
Only one man is Rooster Cogburn and the neither the actor nor the roll is duplicatable.
Maybe you have to be a John Wayne fan, Maybe have to have stood next to him at 10 years old but lack of knowledge is no excuse.

I dunno. You certainly have a right to be disinterested, but IMHO they have a right to make this move.

I read the book (and enjoyed it) long before I ever saw the John Wayne film.
This is a *different adaptation* of that book.
I'm a huge John Wayne fan, but also have been a Bridges fan from way, way back.
It will be interesting to see Bridges tackle this role; he's not the first actor I would have chosen. John Wayne mostly just played himself (and played it well!), while Bridges has actual range.
Jeff Bridges will not be playing John Wayne.
He'll be playing Rooster Cogburn.
And I'll take Matt Damon over Glen Campbell any day--and twice on Sundays.

I agree that remakes can be lazy in the extreme, but I do not consider the Coens to be lazy filmmakers.

[bs13690]

The Coen brothers are absolutely not lazy filmmakers. At least this project is being approached seriously with excellent actors involved.

I am really not sure why people complain so much about remakes. If you don't want to see it, don't go. Why do people blow up and act like it is the end of the world?

[Mark S.]

It isn't a "remake" per se. It's an adaptation of the novel (which the previous movie was only very loosely).

The Coen Bros are hit and miss. When they hit, it's awesome. When they miss, it's dreadful. I hope this is a hit.

[BlueWillowPlate]

First Trailer from True Grit

Looks pretty good.
And it sounds like there might be a winsome soundtrack, as well.