Upcoming reboots, remakes or adaptations that may succeed where others have failed

These days, it just seems like Hollywood is getting lazy with movies they are throwing out. If it is not a sequel or prequel, it is a reboot or remake. And a remake is the worse if you ask me, a straight up lifting of a franchise from another region (Asia is where they go for fresh content, and then give it the Hollywood makeover).

Sometimes, a story carries better when it stays true to the culture that spurned it. While many of these projects may be doomed from the start due to audience dis-interest, bad timing, or poor production, there are some remakes that have proven to be worthwhile. Looking ahead to upcoming remakes, here are a few I am really hoping leave a proper mark like their originals did.

Firestarter. If you are a Stephen King fan or the sort that just loves to watch things burn rejoice (though if you fall into the latter group, please get help). A remake is in the works of the 1984 movie which tells the story of a young girl who can “start fire” with just the power of her mind and therefore, sought out by a government agency who want to use her abilities for their gain (like Eleven’s case in Stranger Things). The original starred Drew Barry Moore as Charlie.

El Desconocido. Many, and I mean many movie watchers have not heard of this 2015 Spanish masterpiece that borrows loosely from the concept of Keanu Reeves’ Speed. El Desconocido tells the story of a bank executive whom in the process of driving the kids to school one morning, receives an anonymous call in a phone that has been left inside his car, and is told a bomb has been placed under each of the car’s seats, set to explode if any of them leaves their seated position. The devices will be deactivated only once Carlos transfers a large sum of money into the caller's account. 

As for the remake, when it comes to casting someone with a “particular skillset” used for getting family members out of sticky situations, who other than Liam Frigging Neeson? Liam Neeson will star in the lead as a wallstreet executive. The title of this remake is Retribution.

Train to Busan. Because the world can never get enough of zombie movies. This movie also flew below the radar of 90% movie watchers. I caught it though. It was, and still is awesome. If not already apparent from its title, the film takes place on a train heading to busan (a South Korean metro city), as a zombie apocalypse suddenly breaks in the country and compromises the safety of the passengers. The movie is receiving the Hollywood treatment, set for release sometime in 2018. My most anticipated on this list..seeing as that long awaited sequel to World War Z is taking its precious time coming.

NB. Anyone looking to check out this movie, be sure to also try Seoul Station. Although released after Train to Busan (both in 2016), it serves as a Prequel to it. Can any of the Nigerian directors out there please hop on the remake train and give us a Train to Oshodi at least?

Invasion of the Body Snatchers. This movie originally adapted from the novel The Body Snatchers by Jack Finney first made it to the big screen in 1956. Few years later, it saw a remake in a 1978 version starring Donald Sutherland. The plot involves a San Francisco health inspector and his colleague who discover that humans are being replaced by alien duplicates; each is a perfect copy of the person replaced, only devoid of human emotion. I have high hopes for this one. Remember the 90’s classic Faculty starring Elijah Wood and Josh Hartnett?

Bloodshot. Adapted from Valiant comics, Bloodshot is being brought to the big screen with Jared Leto slated to play the titular character if recent reports are anything to go by. Leto is in talks to star in Sony’s adaptation of Bloodshot, one project in a proposed five-picture deal between Valiant and the movie studio. Bloodshot is a former soldier with powers of regeneration and meta-morphing made possible through nanites injected into his blood. After having his memory wiped numerous times, Bloodshot is out to discover who he really is and get vengeance on those who did this to him. Bloodshot's bloodstream contains a billion nanocomputers, enabling him to heal from injuries quickly, interface with technology, and shape shift his mass.

About time DCEU and MCU got some more competition I say.